When the end of January rolls around, we often, as sports fans, savor one of the most exciting times of the season. NBA and the NHL campaigns are full steam ahead towards the All-Star game, NFL fans are preparing for the Super Bowl, the Australian Open is down to its final contestants, and even baseball fans are starting to dust off out their gloves, bats, and balls before heading out to the batting cages as they ready themselves for Spring Training come February.
Last year, COVID stopped our train, but it allowed us to reflect and appreciate the annual “Super Sports” weekend.
But now that’s it back; it’s time to play ball once again.
Here’s what’s to jump out of your seat for this weekend:
NFL: CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY:
At 3:00, the Chiefs and Bengals will duel in Arrowhead in a battle of David vs. Goliath. On one side, the prolific Joe Burrow, who in his second season has already shaped a franchise, starved for a playoff run. The LSU alumni and 2019 NCAA champ have renounced himself as “King of the jungle” and, in his first entire season, has led Cincinnati to the final four.
Also chipping in has been Joe’s college mate Jamare Chase, who will likely be on the case for the stifling KC defense on Sunday. Burrow won’t be afraid to “Mix it up with Mixon,” as Joe has proved effective on the ground this season. As for the head coach Zac Taylor will have his hands full as the new kid on the block going up against Andy Reid, but who’s to say the new kids on the block can’t pull off this potential reverberating upset? After all, they did take down Patrick Mahomes and CO in a shootout late in the regular season? Can they do it again and prevent the KC three- peating over the American Football conference?
6:30: 49ERS @RAMS
No matter who wins, they will automatically have home-field advantage for the upcoming Super Bowl, which will indeed take place at Sofi Stadium on February 13th. There’s not much to say here, as Mathews Stafford will be going for his first Super Bowl appearance in his 13th NFL season and first in LA, while Jimmy Garoppolo and CO are looking to advance to Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons.
That’s football for you
AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINALS:
This year, both the women’s and Men’s finals are must-see matches. On Saturday, World NO 1 Australian Ashley Barty will look for her first Melbourne title against American Daniel Collins, looking for her first grand slam. Collins can become the first player since Serena Williams to win this event and thus introduce a new era of USA Tennis in the women’s game.
On Sunday, though, it’s the main and historic event. Remember how at this past US Open, the stage was set for Novak Djokovic to take home grand slam #21 and make history while also becoming the first man in over 50 years to complete the Calendar slam? Well, the man who stopped him and is ranked NO2 in the world will look to this time deny Rafael Nadal of #21 on Sunday, and if it happens, which means Danil Medvedev will have won back-back grand slams.
NHL:
HONORING #30
On Friday night, the Rangers will honor and retire franchise goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Hank spent all 15 years of his career with New York(2006-2020) and set the franchise bar in wins (459, 6th on the all-time NHL wins list), shutouts(64), save percentage(.918). Playoff wins(61) and several other franchise records amounting to 50.
The “king,” as many beat writers called him, also won six straight games 7s and, from 2012-2015, was 15-4 in elimination games which Included a 2012 Vezina Trophy victory and a 2014 Stanley Cup final run.
Henrik appeared in 887 games, including 130 postseason tilts, allowing two goals or fewer in 74 of them. His work ethic, tenacity, leadership, and drive to win captivated his teammates and the city. He was a pillar to an organization that desperately needed one after cup winner Mike Richter retired in the early 200’s. Although he never won a cup, the born swede was a New York Icon that was not only loved in Manhattan but also by his peers and coaches, who will pour out their support in what’s expected to be a touching and heartwarming ceremony on Friday night before the current resurgent Rangers game against the Minnesota Wild. Henrik even has a pulse on today’s prowess of Igor Shesterkin. The latter is the recent New York goaltender and Vezina front-runner, with Lunquist being his teammate and mentor during his final season in 2020.
Current Rangers Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, as well as goaltender Cam Talbot and Matt Zuucerello of the Wild, are people #30 considers close friends and great teammates.
The “get in” price for the prime time event is at$356, and the purchase price per ticket is $584, making it the most expensive NHL game this season.
THANK YOU SERGEI
In Dallas, the Stars will honor #56 Sergei Zubov, part of their 1999 Stanley Cup championship team. The defenseman played the final 12 of his 16 NHL seasons(1997-2009) with the franchise.
He set the bar for all at his position in Stars/Minnesota North Stars history in games (839), goals (111), assists (438), and points (549). Among all Stars/North Stars players, he's third in assists, fifth in games played, and seventh in points.
Zubov finished his career with 771 points (152 goals, 619 assists) in 1,068 games with the Stars, Rangers, and Penguins. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019 after retiring in 2009.
So we have a great weekend ahead of us; let’s enjoy it, sports fans!
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