It’s my Parting Shot for some Weekend Short Shots…..

There’s still something to be said about playoffs, especially win or go home games, no matter the sport! Last night’s third and deciding game between the Mets and Milwaukee was riveting stuff and it’s always good to see a struggling star come up big in a key situation as Pete Alonso did with his three-run, ninth inning homer that boosted the Mets on to an N-L-D-S!

So, I’m in Swift Current with the Saskatoon Blades. The group returned to our hotel from supper last night and I was able to turn on the television in our room just in time to see Alonso’s heroics live. Then, when that was done, I flipped over to the Thursday Night N-F-L game, just in time to see the final few minutes of the fourth quarter and Atlanta’s improbable win!

Here’s where I’m going to ruffle some feathers, but the N-F-L’s overtime format is garbage. The great, best league with the great, best players and coaching doesn’t allow a team a chance to respond to the other team scoring a touchdown on the first possession of extra time! So, winning the coin flip is, for all intents and purposes, thee key to the result?! Like I said, garbage!!

The new kick-off look that the N-F-L implemented is garbage as well! I understand it is for player safety, but hardly kicks are returned still because of the ball going into the end zone on the kick and returning team’s deciding to take a touchback and start at their 30-yard line! Plus, onside kick-offs can only happen in the fourth quarter and only by the team that is losing. Plus, you have to declare before the game that you may want to try an onside kickoff?! In other words, you’re thinking you might lose! What happened to the element of surprise, no matter when in the game you try an onside kick-off?! Once again, garbage!!

Earlier this week, I said I needed to be pinched in order to believe that it’s real that my Minnesota Vikings are 4-0 to start the N-F-L season. Today, I think many Blades’ fans need a pinch to re-assure themselves that their team is off to a 4-0 start. Only the Bernie Federko, Blair Chapman-led Saskatoon team of 1975 has started 4-0 in franchise history!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!