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Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
A Pair of Burning Questions as Oilers Clinch Playoff Spot
On Friday, April 22, the Edmonton Oilers joined the playoff party with their 6-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. This is their third straight playoff appearance, and their fourth with their young star, Connor McDavid. The Oilers are one of four teams to crossover from the World Hockey Association in 1979, and they are the most successful of the four, having won five Stanley Cups in a seven-season span from 1984 to 1990. They have not won since then, and they haven't been to the Stanley Cup Final since 2006. In fact, after falling one win short of the Cup in 2006 (losing to fellow WHA crossovers, the Carolina Hurricanes--formerly the Hartford Whalers), they went 11 years without a postseason.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 years ago in UnbalancedConfessions of a Matt Ryan Superfan
If you’re around my age and from Atlanta, there are few people as synonymous with your childhood as one Matthew Thomas Ryan. From the moment he was drafted in 2008 to his last snap played in Atlanta this past season, Matt Ryan (or Matty Ice, more on that later) injected fuel into a franchise looking to reshape its image after on-field mediocrity and off-field issues by its star players. He has enjoyed one of the most statistically significant careers in football history — living in the top 10 of almost every all-time Quarterback stat category — while also bringing the team to more success and more consistency than it had seen in its existence.
Vivek GarimellaPublished 2 years ago in UnbalancedIs Matt Ryan poised for another MVP year?
Matt Ryan. Undoubtedly my favorite athlete and, as an unashamedly biased Falcons fan, the source of countless moments of joy – in addition to more moments to which I’d prefer we do not talk about. He was drafted by my Atlanta Falcons whilst I was the age of 11. My voice was squeaky, height was short, and the prior year’s MVP was Tom Brady’s first – at the age of 30. Of course, Peyton Manning would go on to win the subsequent two to follow, and Matt Ryan would eventually win his own in that 2016 Cinderella season. He achieved a lot in 14 years. Now I’m 25, and the legendary Quarterback leads the franchise in every notable stat and accolade. He will hold these records for some time, no doubt long after he is inducted into the hall of fame. His impact on the franchise has been immeasurable. Yet, that leads us to the present day. The all-time great Falcon was recently shipped to Indianapolis in exchange for a 3rd round pick. The value of the trade was significantly low, if we compare to the Matt Stafford trade a year before, but works more so as a cap based move to contribute toward Atlanta’s long rebuild. What’s next, though? I would argue that this move has put Matty Ice in the best position he has ever been throughout his illustrious career. The question being, can he finally win a ring?
Martin S. WathenPublished 2 years ago in Unbalanced3 training mistakes footballers make 'in-season'
In this post I will discuss 3 training mistakes that football players make "in-season". At the same time what you should do instead so that you can avoid making the mistakes, and overtake your teammates and opponents!
Fodbold PerformancePublished 2 years ago in UnbalancedDo You Believe in Magic
Do You Believe in Magic? It was a long 8 years since the Detroit Tigers experienced some magic and it did not look good for the future either.
roy SlezakPublished 2 years ago in UnbalancedThe Elite History of the Conn Smythe Trophy
One of the many things that makes the NHL stand out over other leagues is their collection of individual trophies, mainly the prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy. It's an MVP trophy, but it's different from the other leagues. The NBA's trophy only covers the Finals, the NFL has the Super Bowl MVP, and while MLB is a bit more well-rounded, they only award MVPs in their two League Championship Series and the World Series. Regarding the NHL, the Conn Smythe Trophy goes to the MVP of the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs. Not just the Stanley Cup Final--the full playoffs; from Round 1 to the finish. The reason is simple: it is most grueling to go through four rounds and get 16 wins in order to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup, and the NHL awards the player who did the most during that difficult quest.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 years ago in Unbalanced- Top Story - April 2022
The Real Story Behind “A League of Their Own”
I’ve been intrigued with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) ever since I watched A League of Their Own for the first time a couple of years ago. As the history lover that I am, I decided to do some more digging. I was entirely blown away by what these incredible women accomplished in the 1940s and ‘50s.
Shandi PacePublished 2 years ago in Unbalanced Tips to Up Your Golf Game
Golf is a sport that requires precision and focus. The hardest part of the golf swing is keeping the head down. The problem is most golfers are used to a baseball or tennis type of swing, which involves a lot of head movement. A player needs to see where they’re hitting the ball in these sports to adjust their body accordingly. Here are some tips to help improve one’s game.
Wale SerikiPublished 2 years ago in Unbalanced- Top Story - April 2022
Capitals Return to Playoffs; East Playoff Field Complete
The eight playoff teams in the NHL's Eastern Conference had actually been set for months, but it finally became official on Sunday, April 17. On that evening, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the New York Islanders, 4-2, and with that result, the Islanders were eliminated, and the Washington Capitals (who were idle) received the Eastern Conference's last remaining playoff spot. For Washington, this is their eighth straight playoff appearance, which is the 2nd-longest current streak in the NHL, with the Pittsburgh Penguins' streak being twice as long.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 years ago in Unbalanced Wild Clinch Playoff Spot For 3rd Straight Season
On Saturday, April 16, the Minnesota Wild had the opportunity to lock in a playoff spot, and after coming back from a 4-1 deficit to force overtime, it looked like they would get it done, but the St. Louis Blues (especially Brayden Schenn) had other plans. With the overtime loss, the Wild entered Sunday's game against the San Jose Sharks needing only one point to earn a spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They would get it when regulation ended in a 4-4 tie, and they picked up a bonus when Jared Spurgeon's tip-in goal won it for Minnesota.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 years ago in UnbalancedFlames Clinch Playoff Spot With Help from an Unlikely Ally
Hours before the Calgary Flames took the ice for their game against the Arizona Coyotes, they received the good news that they are in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs! The Flames entered Saturday's action needing one point to clinch, but one of the other scenarios also involved the Vegas Golden Knights. Sure enough, that's exactly what happened. The Vegas Golden Knights lost 4-0 to the Edmonton Oilers, and with that, the Flames are playoff bound for the 3rd time in four seasons. Yes, you read that right. The Edmonton Oilers actually helped the Calgary Flames get into the playoffs. Isn't hockey wonderful?
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 years ago in UnbalancedBlues Clinch Playoff Spot Against Potential Playoff Opponent
Eleven days after the Colorado Avalanche locked in a playoff spot, the NHL's Western Conference finally has another spot sealed. The St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild faced each other in a Central Division battle where both teams entered with chances to clinch spots. The Blues had their destiny in full control; all they had to do was win. However, the Blues went from leading 4-1 to being tied at 5 after regulation, but Brayden Schenn's OT goal not only gave the Blues their 100th point of the season, it also gave them their fourth straight playoff appearance.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 years ago in Unbalanced