Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/23/2025

In what turned out to be the most exciting sports competition so far of 2025, the 4 Nations Face Off Hockey Tournament was a smash hit by any measure.  Endless action.  Physical (despite it being an "exhibition").  Dropped glove fights at face off just to set the tone.  Non-hockey fans drawn in to see what happens next.  And Canada and the United States renewing a decades old "rivalry" in huge games, which is tough to call it that when Canada has always been so dominant to their little brothers to the South.  Well Little Brother got in the first lick, beating Canada in pool play in a 3-1 regulation decision, which put Canada in a must win in their final game of pool play to even make the finals.  Well they did that, defeating a scrappy Finland team 5-3, in a game in which a comfortable 4-0 lead got to 4-3 late.  Then in the finals, it was a heavyweight fight.  Canada struck first.  The United States got in two power punches to push them to a 2-1 lead.  Then Canada tied it last in the second period to go to sudden death overtime after a scoreless third.  And die did the United States at the stick of Connor McDavid.  McDavid pumped a wrister past American goalie (and fellow namesake) Connor Hellebuyck in what was more or less a defensive goof as McDavid was abandoned 15 feet from Hellebuyck with nobody in between.  Game.  Over.  McDavid also had a goal and assist in the Finland tilt, earning second star in that game, and top star in the 4 Nations Final.  McDavid is an elite player and thrust the dagger into the hopes of Team USA.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 2/16/2025

Spring sports are in full swing and the surging interest in women's basketball is palpable.  After a banner Spring 2024 with Caitlin Clark (2x Sportswoman of the Week) and Angel Reese bringing the most exciting college basketball season in history, followed by an amazing Women's Olympics Gold Medal performance by Team USA, a new star has emerged on the college scene.  Vanderbilt true freshman Mikayla Blakes is rewriting the record books.  The guard is a scoring machine, tallying 55 points in a big overtime victory against Auburn (erasing a double-digit deficit).  This broke her own 53-point record earlier in the season.  Both are SEC single game records regardless of class, and we're talking about a conference with superstars from Tennessee and South Carolina over the years.  Only 19 and still growing into her body, the future is bright.  And she continues to excite young female athletes (and sports fans in general) about where the sport is going.  Mikayla Blakes is the Longhorndave Sportswoman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/9/2025

Super Bowl Licks (LIX) did not disappoint for action what it did lack in competitiveness.  In one of the more expected competitive in terms of pregame point spread unfolded as a blowout as the Philadelphia Eagles won their second Super Bowl in eight years (and well ever) in denying the Kansas City Chiefs the coveted "Three Peat" (let me know where to send a trademark check to Pat Riley).  The story of the game was the dominance by the Eagles defensive line led by Josh Sweat, who tormented future Hall of Famer and 3-time Super Bowl Champion Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II.  A part of 3 sacks (2.5 total), throw in six tackles, including 2 tackles for loss.  Overall the Eagles sacked Mahomes six times.  But it was his pressure and his defensive line colleagues that kept Mahomes II from ever being comfortable and leading to two back breaking interceptions and a strip fumble.  Each was right when you might think the Chiefs could make a run.  Defense won the game and defense, wins the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/2/2025

In a major North American team sport most rare on the Blog we turn to hockey and the NHL for this week's Sportsman.  The Buffalo Sabres have been in hockey misery for 25 years ever since the "No Goal" controversy in 1999 without a finals appearance since.  But maybe they've got hope this year or in the future.  Tage Thompson had an epic week for the Sabres, with eight points in 3 games, including a hat trick and most importantly, three Sabres wins including two against teams currently in playoff position.  Maybe showing signs of hope?  Although Thompson took a shot to the head in the last game and maybe out.  Sometimes luck just isn't on your side.  But Thompson may be a building block for the future, but today he is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!