2021 NHL Preview

Jan. 29 - Feb. 4, 2021 Vol. 19, Issue 23 www.sportspagdfw.com FREE 2 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 3 Jan. 29, 2020 - Feb. 4, 2021 AROUND THE AREA Vol. 19, Issue 23 LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST sportspagedfw.com Established 2002 TMS dirt track roars to life in 2021 Cover Photo: 4 AROUND THE AREA proud to be working with Barry Braun and Information on these events will be everyone at X.CELERATED to bring local released in the coming weeks via texasdirt- 5 SMU REPORT fans a full schedule of competition in track.com and facebook.com/texasdirt- BY DIC HUMPHREY 2021,” said Texas Motor Speedway track. 6 GOLF, ETC President and General Manager Eddie All of the X.CELERATED promoted BY TOM WARD Gossage. events from the Texas Motor Speedway THIS WEEK ON TOUR: THE The 2021 schedule kicks off Feb. 18-20 Dirt Track will be streamed on FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN With an unpresedented 18-date schedule with “The Revival”. Open (Outlaw) raceXR.com and the raceXR Apps, avail- 7 BY PGATOUR.COM capped by a $50,000-To-Win super late Modifieds, Limited Modifieds, Factory able on a number of devices, under the TIGERS’ TALES FROM TORREY model crown jewel Stocks, Hornets, and Eco Mods will race Monthly + Subscription. 8 PINES BY PGATOUR.COM Texas Motor Speedway has reached with complete shows on Friday and agreement with motorsports promotor Saturday. Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 at 2021 NHL SEASON PREVIEW X.CELERATED of Silver Bay, Minn.- 10 BY SEAN LEAHY https://racexr.com/. Additional information, based for 18 nights of sprint car, Super including entry and parking, will be 2021 DALLAS STARS SEASON 12 PREVIEW Late Model and Modified racing in 2021 at released at that time. BY MIKE MCFEE the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. The Dirt Track will fire off NASCAR 13 COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS AND The exciting schedule includes The All-Star Weekend with the All Star Sprint NOTES Revival in February for Modified cars, a Car Showdown, June 10-11, featuring the WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.- SMU BY BO CARTER NASCAR All-Star Race sprint car com- Bandits Outlaw Sprint Series and support- men's golf team finished third at the AUTO REVIEW panion event in June, a Monday night sum- ing classes. Southwestern Invitational, as three 17 BY KBB.COM mer series, and a $50,000-to-win Super A major commitment for local racers Mustangs finished in the top 20 in a field 18 THE TICKET WINDOW Late Model extravaganza in September. will be take place from June through that featured four ranked teams and five “The Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track August with the Texas Monday Series. others receiving votes. RESTAURANT REVIEW is an incredible opportunity” stated Working as a good neighbor by not book- The Mustangs shot a 13-over 301 in the 19 BY RICHARD POLLAK X.CELERATED CEO Barry Braun. “Dirt ing on top of local schedules, the Texas final round at North Ranch Country Club, track racers, teams, and fans love this facil- Monday Series seeks to highlight the best with SMU closing to within three strokes ity and yearn to race at this mecca. We of the area with an aggressive production of the tournament lead down the stretch. believe our commitment to a robust sched- and unprecedented promotion of the series SMU finished with an 18-over 882, as San ule with grassroots sensibilities and cus- racers. Open Modifieds, Limited Diego St. won the event with a 10-over 874. tomer service will help this place thrive.” Modifieds, and Factory Stocks will be the "It was a very tough day, as it was X.CELERATED, which revitalized the regulars highlighted with a once-a-month extremely windy and cold with tough Follow us on Duel in the Desert at Las Vegas Motor invitational class. The dates for the Texas pins," head coach Chris Parra said. "We Speedway in November 2020 and launched Monday Series are June 21, 28, July 5, 19, had a couple of guys get off to rough Twitter & Facebook the upcoming March 15-20 Bristol Dirt 26, and August 9, 16, and 23. starts, but I am proud of the way they Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway, has The 2021 schedule will conclude with a fought back to make a comeback. We twitter.com/sportspagedfw committed to a multi-year strategic busi- bang as the Texas Dirt Nationals, sched- know what we need to work on before our ness agreement with the half-mile Texas uled for September 13-18, 2021, rock the next tournaments." facebook.com/sportspageweek- Motor Speedway Dirt Track. Fort Worth facility featuring a number of The Mustangs return to action “The Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track grassroots classes and capped by a Saturday, facing TCU in a match play Publisher Contact Us has hosted some of the best dirt racing in $50,000-to-WIN Super Late Model crown event at Vaquero C.C in Westlake. The Sports Page Publishing Group, Main Number (214) 683-1469 LLC P.O. Box 820813 Texas since the first race in 2000 so we’re jewel event on September 18, 2021. event is closed to the general public. 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4 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com SMU WITH DIC HUMPHREY Mustangs tied for third in the AAC

Yor Anei turned in his usual two blocks from game to game. Jolly admitted, protecting the rim. “I’m still trying to get used to it, especial- Cooper commented on Bandoumel’s ly coming off the bench. I’m still trying to recent play, which has put him in the con- get my wind and my legs underneath me.” versation for All-Conference recognition. He thought he needed another 10 days “He’s playing with confidence. He’s not or so to get back to or very close to 100% hesitating, and his teammates have confi- conditioning-wise. dence in him.” The Mustangs now go on the road to Bandoumel compared Thursday’s win face the sixth ranked Houston Cougars in over Memphis to Tuesday’s loss saying, their on campus arena Ð the Fertitta Center. “We played harder. I think we did a Houston is one of the top defensive and great job of being consistent.” rebounding ballclubs in the nation. That is Landers Nolley, II led the Tigers in a major reasons why the Cougars have a scoring as he did Tuesday night in 14-1 record, including 9-1 in AAC play. Memphis. He put in 19 points and was Game time is 12:00 noon (Central), and joined in double digit scoring by Deandre ESPN will televise. Williams with 17 points. Williams turned SCHEDULE CHANGES: The South in a double-double with 11 rebounds, and Florida at SMU game scheduled for Alex Lomax came off the bench to lead the Saturday, February 6 has been postponed Tigers with eight assists. because of contact tracing protocols in the The Mustangs are 5-3 in Conference play and tied with Memphis for third place in the AAC Getting at least a split with Memphis USF program. SMU’s game at Tulsa origi- this week was crucial to the Mustangs nally scheduled for Saturday, February 13 Memphis shot 25 and SMU shot just six. chances of making the NCAA Tournament. has been moved up to next Wednesday, SMU made 12 of 13 attempts Thursday Had Memphis won Thursday, the Tigers February 3. Game time will be 8:00 PM night, while Memphis went 10-15 at the would have not only been one game ahead (Central), and will be televised on ESPNU. line. of SMU in the standings but would have FOOTBALL: Jim Leavitt joined the SMU SMU opened the game as they did given the Tigers the head-to-head tie break- coaching staff this week as Defensive Tuesday night with a 7-0 run. Unlike er. Houston has all but mathematically Coordinator. Leavitt has coached for more Tuesday night, the Ponies never relin- locked up the regular season league cham- than 40 years in the NCAA and NFL. He quished the lead in the first half and went pionship. They are the only team in the comes to SMU from Florida Atlantic BY DIC HUMPHREY to the locker room ahead by double digits AAC ranked in the Top 25. The AAC is University, where he was also Defensive [email protected] at 33-23. Hunt scored 13 first half points. likely just a two or three bid conference Coordinator. He replaces Kevin Kane, who MEMBER: USBWA The Mustangs looked to make this an this season. The Memphis games were left the Mustangs after three seasons to be easy win with a good second half start. head-to-head competition for second place Associate Head Coach at Illinois under The SMU Men’s basketball team beat The 10 point halftime lead grew to 16 with in the conference. Wichita State is certain- Bret Bielema. the Memphis Tigers Thursday night in 11:56 remaining. At that point, Memphis ly firmly in the race. The Shockers are in NOTABLE: Moody Coliseum to get a split this week went on a 21-4 run to take their first lead second place with a 4-2 conference record. ¥ Darius McNeill was out of Thursday’s after losing Tuesday night in Tennessee. of the game at 60-59 with 3:23 left in regu- Tulsa at 5-4 including a win over UH is in game with plantar fasciitis. Everett Ray Feron Hunt spearheaded the Mustangs’ lation. The largest lead for either team the the NCAA Tournament picture too, and was back and available to play but did not offense with 17 points on 7-9 shooting. rest of the way was four points, and there South Florida at 3-3 is not to be ruled out. see action in the game. SMU led for most of the game and was were four lead changes in the final four There is no question that the Mustangs ¥ SMU has had the same starting five for able to withstand Memphis’s late charge minutes of the game. got a shot in the arm with Jolly coming all 12 games this season: Kendric Davis, for a 67-65 win. The Mustangs go to 9-3 It came down to the Tigers’ last posses- back. He played 29 minutes Thursday Feron Hunt, Emmanuel Bandoumel, Isiah for the season and 5-3 in American Athletic sion with SMU leading 67-64. Boogie night, as his minutes total has increased Jasey and Ethan Chargois. Conference play. Memphis is 9-6 for the Ellis missed a three point shot to tie the season and is tied with SMU for third place game with three seconds left, but he was at 5-3 in the AAC. fouled on the shot giving him the opportu- The Mustangs played without Head nity to tie the game from the free throw Coach Tim Jankovich in attendance for the line. He hit the first one but missed the third straight game as he recovers from the second forcing a time out. He intentionally Wuhon Virus. Assistants John Cooper and missed the third attempt, Hunt retrieved the Yaphett King again assumed Jankovich’s rebound, and Memphis tied him up. The head coaching role. Cooper met with the possession arrow gave the ball to Memphis media after the game and summarized the presenting the Tigers one last opportunity win by saying, to win or tie with 1.1 seconds on the clock. “We did a much better job of taking care The Mustangs defended the in-bounds pass of the basketball; and of course, I thought well such that Memphis never took a shot. we did a solid job on the boards.” Hunt led SMU with 17 points. SMU turned the ball over 11 times Emmanuel Bandoumel had 15 points and Thursday night and forced 17 Memphis Ethan Chargois with 13 were the turnovers. The rebound contest was a draw Mustangs’ other double digit scorers. with each team gathering 31, but SMU beat Tyson Jolly playing just his third game of Memphis 11-7 on offensive rebounds to the season grabbed six rebounds to lead the extend four additional possessions. Also, Mustangs. Memphis keyed on Kendric there was not the free throw disparity as Davis to hold him down to six points on 2- there was in Tuesday’s game when 13 shooting, but he dished out eight assists.

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 5 GOLF TOM WARD Cliché Your Way around the Course

There is no game like golf: You go out with three friends, play 18 holes, and return with three enemies. You spend more time on the beach than David Hasselhoff. Homesick Gopher - A ball that goes straight in without using the lip. Grow hair....Grow fangs....hit a house.... Deploy the chute...what you yell at a putt that needs to slow down. Write when you get work - spoken to a TOM WARD putt that has just passed the whole and is [email protected] still going hard. I always make it a priority to help Acne scars / Lunar landscape - unre- golfers improve the golf swing and lower paired ball marks on the green. their scores. However, golf is a sport that Good punt - Hitting a shot straight up lends itself to humor and a lot of times it into the air. can be self-deprecating. Touch ‘em all - Hitting your drive out Sometimes, a timely remark at the right of bounds. moment can help break the ice, or put into Real golfers don’t cry when they line perspective a poorly played shot. Let’s be up for their fourth putt. honest, no matter how good you are at the When your shot has to carry over a game, there will be times when you hit a water hazard, you can hit either one more gawd awful shot. Saying something that is club or two more balls. funny, yet poignant, can really make a dif- These are from some famous faces that ference. So, this week I’m providing you put their own spin on the game of golf. with some ammunition next time you tee it 1). It took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in up. baseball. It took one afternoon on the golf Golf is just a game and should be played for fun Some of these clichés, sayings, quotes, course.— Hank Aaron and one-liners can help you and your play- 2). If you think it’s hard to meet new peo- ing partners realize that golf is just a game ple, try picking up the wrong golf ball. — and it should be played for fun. Jack Lemmon Golf is a game in which the slowest 3). Playing golf today, I hit two good people are in front of you, and the fastest balls. I stepped on a rake - Henny are behind you most of the time. Youngman Oxymoron: An easy par three. 4). The only sure rule in golf is he who has Golf: A five mile walk punctuated by the fastest cart never has to play the bad disappointment. lie Ð Mickey Mantle Golf is a game, invented by God to 5). If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you punish people who retire early. play at it, it’s recreation. If you work at it, Golf balls are like eggs. They’re white. it’s golf Ð Bob Hope Sold by the dozen. And a week later you 6). Golf is a game in which you yell have to buy some more. “fore,” shoot six, and write down five - The man who takes up golf to get his Paul Harvey mind off work soon takes up work to get 7). There are two things in life that don’t his mind of golf. exist very long. A dog that chases cars, and Fairway: An unfamiliar tract of closely a pro who putts for par.- Lee Trevino mown grass running directly from the tee These next few are bad golf shots to the green. Your ball can usually be found named after some well-known personalities immediately to the left or right of it. - A Vin Sculley - When you hit a golf He claims it’s no sin to play golf on shot that is a skulled shot. Sunday, but the way he plays, it’s a crime. - A Willie Nelson - On the road again. What must the golfer shoot to assure a When you hit a golf ball onto a road or tournament victory? - the rest of the play- path. ers. - A Ted Kennedy - When you hit a golf What’s the difference between a bad ball off a bridge into the water. golfer and a bad skydiver? A bad golfer - A O.J. Simpson - When you hit a bad goes WHACK! “Damn”. A bad skydiver golf shot and somehow get away with it. goes, “Damn”. WHACK! - A Humphrey Bogart - Here’s lookin’ at Many a golfer prefers a golf cart to a you, kid....refers to a bogey. caddy because it cannot count, criticize or So next time you’re out playing try laugh. some of these with your playing partners Real golfers have two handicaps: One and ‘may the course be with you’. for braggin’ and one for betting’. Your golf game is so bad, you had to re- Tom Ward can be contacted at www.tee- grip your ball retriever. timewithtom.com

6 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com GOLF PGA TOUR The First Look: Farmers Insurance Open

teeing it up at Torrey Pines, led by multi- from all challengers, but Rahm did himself time TOUR winner Xander Schauffele no favors going 4 over for his first five (who went to San Diego State), and of holes in the final round. Two-time Farmers course, Mickelson Ð who is coming to Insurance Open winner Brandt Snedeker Torrey Pines after hosting The American finished T3 alongside McIlroy. Tom Hoge Express. finished fifth. 72-HOLE RECORD: 266, George Burns (1987), Tiger Woods (1999). 18-HOLE RECORD: North Course HOW TO FOLLOW record: 61, Mark Brooks (2nd round, 1990), Brandt Snedeker (1st round, 2007). Television: Thursday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. ET Redesigned North Course record: 62, Jon (Golf Channel). Saturday, 1-3 p.m. ET Rahm (1st round, 2019), Ryan Palmer (2nd (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS). round, 2020). Sunday, 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), 3- South Course record: 62, Tiger Woods 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS). (3rd round, 1999) PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 12 LAST TIME: Leishman captured his fifth p.m.-7 p.m. (Featured Groups), Saturday, PGA TOUR title thanks to a sizzling 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (Featured Groups), 3 Sunday 65 Ð tied for the round of the day Ð p.m.-6 p.m. (Featured Holes), Sunday, at the South Course. The Australian made 11:15 a.m.-3 p.m. (Featured Groups), 3 things interesting late after he bogeyed the p.m.-6 p.m. (Featured Holes) par-4 17th Sunday, but he knocked a wedge Radio: Thursday-Friday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. ET. from 83 yards to just six feet on the 72nd Saturday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. ET. Sunday, 1 hole and nailed the birdie to pull ahead of p.m.-6:30 p.m. ET (PGA TOUR Radio on Rahm. Leishman made five birdies on the SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com/liveaudio). front nine Sunday to start to pull away

Marc Leishman won his fifth PGA TOUR title last year at Torrey Pines

By Adam Stanley champions -- Tyler Strafaci (2020) and PGATOUR.COM Follow Andy Ogletree (2019) Ð are in the field on sponsor exemptions. The two were team- The Farmers Insurance Open features a mates at Georgia Tech… Kamaiu Johnson, star-studded field -- including two-time winner of last year’s APGA Tour FedExCup winner Rory McIlroy and past Championship, is making his TOUR debut. champion Jon Rahm -- from San Diego’s FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 scenic Torrey Pines Golf Course. FedExCup points. Marc Leishman, who won last year’s COURSE: Torrey Pines GC (South), Farmers Insurance Open for his fifth PGA 7,765 yards, par-72. Torrey Pines GC TOUR title, returns to defend as golfers (North), 7,258 yards, par-72 (yardages sub- will once again take on Torrey Pines’ North ject to change). The North Course will and South Courses. once again be used for the first two rounds FIELD NOTES: After withdrawing from before golfers play their weekend rounds The American Express last week with a on only the South Course, which is set to tweaked back, Rahm is back in action at host the U.S. Open later this year. Torrey Pines. He won the Farmers STORYLINES: Tiger Woods, a seven- Insurance Open in 2017 and was runner-up time winner of this event, is sidelined after in 2020… McIlroy makes his first TOUR having back surgery… Two-time Farmers start of the calendar year after teeing it up champion Jason Day will make his calen- in Abu Dhabi last week. He finished T3 at dar-year debut this week. The 12-time Torrey Pines a year ago… Three golfers in TOUR winner is an equipment free agent the top 10 of the FedExCup standings (as this year and, per a report from The of Jan. 23) will tee it up at Torrey Pines: Australian, Day has begun working with Harris English, Viktor Hovland, and Carlos Woods’ former swing coach Chris Como… Ortiz… Count Will Zalatoris as one of the Jordan Spieth will also make his first start sponsor exemptions this week. Zalatoris of 2021 at the Farmers Insurance Open. earned enough non-member FedExCup The former FedExCup champion is still points in the fall to notch Special searching for his previous form, having not Temporary Membership, which allows him won on TOUR since 2017… Leishman to accept unlimited sponsor exemptions for looks to become the event’s fourth back-to- the remainder of the season. He currently back winner. Only Woods, Phil Mickelson, leads the Korn Ferry Tour’s Regular Season and J.C. Snead have pulled the double… Points List… The past two U.S. Amateur There’s a robust group of local products

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 7 GOLF PGA TOUR Tales from Tiger's wins at Torrey Pines

Winning margin: 2 strokes over Charles Howell III HOWELL III: “We were paired together in the final round. On the ninth hole, he hit two incredible shots Ð a monstrous drive followed by a just as monstrous 3-wood on to the green probably about 40 feet long and right of the hole. Then on his putt the ball was probably still 10 feet from the hole when the left arm went up in the air and then the ball disappeared for eagle. I think that was when I got a real taste of Tiger Woods on a Sunday at Torrey Pines. The place went crazy. “The crowds are clearly behind him but another factor that gets you as a player is you find yourself sucked in to watching him play. You are like, ‘What’s he going to do here?” He would drive it in the rough and you knew he was going to make par, but you wanted to see how he was going to do it. Sure enough, he’d find a way. “You feel like you are hopping in the ring with Mike Tyson and there is a pre- understood outcome. But at the same time, First-hand memories from Woods’ seven the second-to-last group. We came back he didn’t seem too intense, but he was what an experience.” victories at the Farmers Insurance Open Sunday and played 25 holes and then fin- focused and that’s the beauty of how he 2006 ished Monday. Tiger and his group finished played back in those days. He just treated Final score: 71-68-67-72 (-10) By Ben Everill, Cameron Morfit and Sean the seventh hole, as well, on Sunday so we every shot the same whether it was a four- Position after 54 holes: 1 shot behind Martin were all going to start on the eighth tee. footer for par on the fourth hole of the first Sergio Garcia and Rod Pampling PGATOUR.COM Admission was free Monday, so anyone round or if it was a 20-footer that meant Winning margin: Won playoff over Jose Tiger Woods will not be in the field this could watch. We were driven to the tee in a winning or getting into a playoff. He treat- Maria Olazabal and Nathan Green week, but his presence still looms large at van. We’re coming down the hill and I’m ed them all the same and it takes mental GREEN: “It was my rookie year and just Torrey Pines. Few courses have done more like, ‘Whoa, that’s a lot of people.’ It was toughness to do that because your mind my second event. I was fifth in Hawaii and to define his legendary career than the 10 deep from tee to green and the grand- and your body, your hormones Ð every- got to play with Vijay Singh in the final annual venue for the Farmers Insurance stands were still up. I would have to guess thing starts to flood into your system and round and then at Torrey I was paired with Open. there were 15,000 people on that par-3. to control that and still be meticulously the Sergio Garcia and Olazabal in the third Woods has won at this scenic San “The van is going really slow down the same Ð it was what helped him beat a lot of round. Then I was with Phil Mickelson in Diego course since he was an amateur. His cart path and beeping its horn, but people people.” the final round. It was a bit of a baptism by eight PGA TOUR wins here tie his own aren’t paying attention and they don’t want “It was a golf course that was just made fire and people were certainly saying, record for most at one course (he also has to move. They wanted to get a good van- for him. It was long, there was a lot of ‘Who is this bloke?’ I had just a few family eight wins at Bay Hill, site of the Arnold tage point. They dropped us off at the tee rough, it was a physical challenge, and he members and there were a few Aussies in Palmer Invitational Presented by box, and the six of us are waiting on the was physically superior to anyone else the crowd but on 17 when I missed my par Mastercard, and Firestone, the former tee for 10-15 minutes for play to resume. I playing golf at that time. I don’t remember putt I heard someone in the crowd say, venue for the World Golf Championships- remember hitting first. This was the third thinking that I had any chance at all but if ‘You just lost the tournament.’ Bridgestone Invitational). event of my rookie year. So I get up there, something weird happened like by some “Tiger was the final group behind us so He has won the Farmers Insurance I’m in contention and I’m just shaking. miracle he was four over through four or with Phil in my group and him behind Ð it Open seven times and authored that memo- And, of course, Tiger is watching. It was something I knew I had to be ready for was chaos. I remember Phil’s chip shot on rable playoff victory over Rocco Mediate my first experience with him. I just closed that, but you just didn’t feel even a glim- 11 to get up-and-down for par from off the in the 2008 U.S. Open. He was undefeated my eyes and swung as hard as I could. I hit mer of hope when we teed off. He just had green was the best shot I’d ever seen. I at Torrey Pines from 2005-08, winning five a great shot to 4 feet. My birdie putt didn’t everything going. He was driving it long holed out from 70-odd yards on 13 for tournaments in a four-year span. even touch the hole. and straight and was in complete control of eagle to either take the lead or join the So, even with Woods sidelined after “I birdied 17 and 18 just to make it his game. lead. But I bogeyed 15 and 17 so I needed back surgery, let’s relive his seven wins in respectable. (Fritsch shot 75 in the final “Fans loved to see Tiger really romp a birdie on the last. the Farmers Insurance Open. round to finish T9.)” and smash us and win by a lot. Most tour- “I knocked it on in two on 18. My 2013 2008 naments when someone was winning by approach was one of the best shots I ever Chasing 82 Tiger Woods wins 2013 Final score: 67-65-66-71 (-19) near double digits then TV ratings are hit. I had about 220 meters to the front of Farmers Insurance Open Position after 54 holes: 8-shot lead over down and the fans aren’t all that excited by the green and I hit a good 3-wood and Final score: 68-65-69-72 (-14) Stewart Cink it. But when Tiger did it the ratings were made a good two-putt after hitting the Position after 54 holes: 4-shot lead over Winning margin: 8 strokes over Ryuji always up, and the fans were electrified. It eagle putt 4 feet or so past. Tiger then Brad Fritsch Imada was no different on that week.” needed birdie to join me and Olazabal and Winning margin: 4 strokes over Brandt CINK: “I played with Tiger in final rounds 2007 of course he did it. Snedeker, Josh Teater where he had a big lead a handful of times Final score: 66-72-69-66 (-15) “In the playoff I got a bit greedy. They FRITSCH: “Fog rolled in Saturday and I and it was always the same. It seemed like Position after 54 holes: 2 shots behind think one group played one hole. I was in he was playing a Tuesday practice round Ð Brandt Snedeker and Andrew Buckle

8 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Woods had an eight shot lead over Stewart Cink after 54 holes Beat Billy Ray Brown by two strokes in 1999

“In the playoff I got a bit greedy. They that shot thinking not many guys in the his- “Tiger was just starting back after knee “He made us look like amateurs that both missed the fairway and were going to tory of the game could gouge it out from surgery, and Phil had made the comments day, and by us, I mean Phil, too. Phil had lay up and I hit it pretty similar to regula- that rough and move it that far. It wouldn’t about his Nike equipment not being up to ignited this equipment controversy, and tion play. I didn’t want to hit it back right matter how strong I was I didn’t have that snuff. There was some animosity between Tiger just silenced him.” again because that putt was quick down the ability and not many did. them – I don’t think it was noticeable while 1999 hill and hard to get it within 5 feet, so I “No one really knew me out there - for you were playing Ð but I went on Golf Final score: 68-71-62-65 (-22) tried to get to the right section of the green, 12 years people called me Justin Leonard Ð Channel and they asked me to wear a refer- Position after 54 holes: 1-shot lead over but I pulled it into the grandstand. I made a and I ended up a spectator as the tourna- ee’s shirt and be neutral because I knew Billy Ray Brown judgement call thinking one of them would ment became between Tiger and Tom them both. Winning margin: 2 strokes over Brown make birdie after their layups, so I tried to Lehman, who was also in the group. They “It took forever for the guy to announce BROWN: “I birdied the 16th to tie him. get my chip really close and flubbed it. were pretty neck-and-neck from memory Tiger’s accomplishments on the first tee, We both missed the green on 17, but he Then I chilly-dipped another one at that until Tom bogeyed 17 to be one back. I and then it was just, ‘Brad Faxon.’ Nothing was over the green in this cabbage lie. I’m was the end of me. It was a really good remember Tom couldn’t reach 18 in two more. It was pretty funny. The technology thinking I’m going to be up one shot com- chance had I not got greedy, but I guess I but got to a good spot to wedge from. Tiger was changing, but Tiger still teed the ball ing into 18. I felt confident in that. He hits was trying to win. Olazabal then missed a ripped it down the last but then mishit his down, had a smaller-headed driver, and hit this shot that you would play Monday, really short putt on the next hole and Tiger iron and it landed between the pond and this laser that cut about five yards and split Tuesday or Wednesday but you certainly won again.” the rough so he had this really tight lie off the bunkers and stopped in the middle of wouldn’t play Thursday, let alone Sunday. 2005 a bit of a downslope and he just hit this the fairway. Slight tip of the cap, if any. He had the nerve and the confidence and Final score: 69-63-72-68 (-16) unbelievable shot to maybe 10 or 15 feet. “Throughout the round, he and Phil every intangible that you would want to Position after 54 holes: 2 shots behind He was likely going to win with a two-putt talked to me separately, felt like they had pull that shot off. It was a terrible lie. He Luke Donald and Tom Lehman but he didn’t leave it to chance and my confidence. It was kind of neat, really. hit it to a foot. I was like, ‘You have to be Winning margin: 3 strokes over Howell knocked it home. Phil was talking about the birth of Sofia, kidding me.’ III, Donald and Lehman “The thing about Tiger Ð you could tell and then Tiger comes to me, after half-lis- “I had the honor at 18. He hit a tee shot PETER LONARD: “We had a bunch of when it was really game on. He would tening, to tell me how irrelevant that story that made a different sound. We had been fog delays that week and I ended up paired have a different look. The best I saw was was. He was always good to play with, but separated by 5-10 yards all day. This one with Tiger for the last 36 holes Ð I think we the World Golf Championship at Akron there was a difference in Tiger that day. He was, ‘See ya.’ I was well over 200 yards had to play about 31 of them on Sunday when Rory Sabbatini had said some things had his game face on. away. He hit 7-iron for his second shot. I with no re-pairing after the third round. He about Tiger being beatable or something “My caddie was Tommy Lamb in the almost lost the ball in the air, it was that probably wasn’t even at his best, but he like that. I was on the range that day when early 2000s; we called him Chop, Lamb high. I walked past him and he just gave was clearly unbelievable at times, especial- Tiger walked out and you just knew he was Chop. He loved golf so much. We were on me a grin like, ‘You like that, don’t you, ly out of the rough. going to bury him and beat him by 20. It the 11th tee; this was a 225-yard shot old man?’ “We started on the 10th in the third was like he had a ‘Do not Disturb’ sign downhill into the wind to that top-left pin, “Everyone talks about horses for cours- round and both hit driver and mine was 30 around his neck Ð do not talk to me, I’m there was a tier. Tiger hit this 4-iron, and es. I certainly believe that. At Torrey, you yards in front of him – I don’t know if it busy. And of course he did bury him Ð and my caddie groaned. The sound was that have to hit every shot. You have to be able hit something Ð but we were looking for it everyone else.” good Ð like something he’d never heard to move it both directions. You have to and the crowd was motioning further up 2003 before. The ball started 5 or 10 feet right of control your trajectory. He is phenomenal and I couldn’t believe it. I had a chuckle Final score: 70-66-68-68 (-16) the flag, barely dropped to the left, and at controlling his distance. When you’re but felt like I was 50 yards behind him the Position after 54 holes: 1-shot lead over landed softly six inches from the hole for a around there at Nos. 10 and 11 and then rest of the way. Brad Faxon, 2-shot lead over Phil tap-in birdie. It was the most perfect shot 12, the distance changes once you get clos- “I always got on great with Tiger. Mickelson you’ve ever seen. Perfect, thin, bacon-strip er to the water. The weather will fluctuate. Maybe because I met him in the 1997 Winning margin: Beat Carl Pettersson divot. I’ve never had a divot look like that. You have to get dialed in. He knew exactly Australian Masters when I was still a club (69) by 4 Ever. It took the top of the grass and left how far he was going to hit those shots. pro and I played with him on the Saturday. FAXON: “We had a lot of people, and I the roots sort of growing. You wouldn’t And he’s comfortable doing that and work- “I remember Tiger hit it in the left think because it was Phil’s hometown, they have even had to put sand on it. And it was ing the ball both ways off the tee. He is rough on the par-5 13th at one point where were pulling for Phil over Tiger. As much the exact width of the club for about four very, very good at formatting a gameplan everyone was just hacking it out from. He as I was a competitor, I was a fan that day, or five inches. Tiger looked at Tommy and off the tee based on where the hole gouged it out to get it up near the green, too. I watched every shot both of them hit. sort of smiled under his breath, if that’s an location is.” which was incredible. I walked away from It was exciting for me. expression.

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 9 NHL NHL SEASON PREVIEW NHL 2021 preview and predictions

EAST DIVISION Philadelphia Flyers (41-21) Last season: 89 PTS, 2nd in Metro At a glance: The Flyers took a big step forward last season and established some momentum with their current group. They were one of the most dominant teams in the league in the latter half of the year and they're bringing back pretty much the same group this year, though they'll have Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick back in the mix. This is a strong team that may only get stronger as they continue playing together. Pittsburgh Penguins (40-23) Last season: 86 PTS, 3rd in Metro At a glance: All things considered, the Penguins had a pretty good year for all the bad luck they suffered. They've still got an impressive front six that features Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading a solid supporting cast, but the depth is a concern. On the back end they finally got rid of Jack Johnson, but then replaced him with... Cody Ceci? Not great. By Sean Leahy Hynes' first full year behind the bench. question is whether they can play better in Washington Capitals (41-20) NHL 2021 season preview: Examining Detroit Red Wings their own end and get better goaltending Last season: 90 PTS, 1st in Metro every team and the new divisions Last season: 39 PTS, 8th in Atlantic from Sergei Bobrovsky. At a glance: The Caps came out on top in Let's look at where every team stands At a glance: Well, things can only go up, Columbus Blue Jackets (33-22) an ultra-tough Metro division last year heading into the condensed 2021 season right? After a historically awful season, Last season: 81 PTS, 6th in Metro before losing to the Islanders in the first We're on the verge of a new NHL sea- Detroit will be pushing forward with their At a glance: CBJ always seems to play round of the playoffs. Washington is son, one that carries a lot of mystery and rebuild. They're still a ways away from hard and tough under John Tortorella, so returning most of its roster, but they did unknown as we approach opening night. being relevant, but the hope is that their it's important to keep that in mind despite make some notable additions on the back Not only is it easy to forget a lot of the younger pieces will continue to develop their underwhelming roster. They added end (Justin Schultz and Zdeno Chara) in an things that happened this offseason consid- and Steve Yzerman can continue to shape Max Domi to their front end and Liam effort to clean up some of their defensive ering there's been months of inactivity, but this roster with a long-term vision. They Foudy is making a push to be an integral issues. The most intriguing storyline there's also a temporary league realignment did take a flier on Bobby Ryan this offsea- part of the lineup, but the biggest story out around the Caps might be Ilya Samsonov's due to the COVID-19 pandemic. son, so maybe he can find some redemp- of Columbus this offseason is the drama first season pulling full-time duties in net. With that in mind, it's a great time to tion in Detroit. and trade rumors surrounding Pierre-Luc Boston Bruins (44-14) take a look at teams and these new divi- Tampa Bay Lightning (43-21) Dubois. Nobody seems to want to stay in Last season: 100 PTS, 1st in Atlantic sions to examine where every team stands Last season: 92 PTS, 2nd in Atlantic Columbus. At a glance: The Bruins won the heading into the condensed 2021 season. At a glance: The reigning Stanley Cup Carolina Hurricanes (38-25) Presidents' Trophy last year but eventually CENTRAL DIVISION champs are returning most of their roster, Last season: 81 PTS, 4th in Metro lost to the Lightning in the second round of Dallas Stars (37-24) including some pieces that we thought At a glance: Last year's first-round playoff the playoffs and didn't do a whole lot to get Last season: 82 PTS, 3rd in Central they'd have trouble re-signing (Mikhail exit was a disappointment but the Canes better this offseason. Their only significant At a glance: After finishing as runner-up Sergachev and Anthony Cirelli). However, are still a fun team with a lot of exciting addition was signing Craig Smith, who in the Stanley Cup Final last season, the they'll be without their best offensive play- pieces. The ascent of Sebastian Aho / should be a nice depth piece, but they lost Stars will be looking to make another er for the entire regular season, as Nikita Andrei Svechnikov should continue to be a both Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara on the strong run in 2021. Their defense and goal- Kucherov underwent hip surgery this off- blast to watch. The defense is deep and back end. That means they'll have some tending remains excellent (especially con- season. Overcoming the loss of Kucherov impressive, but goaltending is still a ques- big-time question marks with unproven sidering they re-signed Anton Khudobin) will be challenging, but Tampa still has one tion mark. players on the left side of their defense this but they still have question marks up front. of the deepest teams in the league and Chicago Blackhawks (32-30) year. They'll also be without David A team that finished 26th in scoring will be should be considered a favorite to win the Last season: 72 PTS, 7th in Central Pastrnak for a least a month as he recovers without one of their best forwards, Tyler Cup again. At a glance: The Blackhawks snuck into from hip surgery. It seems fair to expect Seguin, until April as he recovers from a Florida Panthers (35-26) the postseason last year as the 24th seed in them to take a step backward this year. torn labrum. Last season: 78 PTS, 4th in Atlantic the expanded playoff and they actually won Buffalo Sabres (30-31) Nashville Predators (35-26) At a glance: It was yet another frustrating their play-in series against Edmonton, but Last season: 68 PTS, 6th in Atlantic Last season: 78 PTS, 4th in Central season for the Panthers and they were ulti- it was a frustrating year on the whole. At a glance: With patience running low At a glance: Last year was a disappoint- mately bounced in the postseason play-in Unfortunately, things aren't shaping up to and frustrations running high in Buffalo, ing mess for the Predators, but they fin- round. They finished 6th in the league in be much better this year. They've got some the Sabres showed a little bit of urgency ished the regular season relatively strong offense last season but they'll have a new- talent up front, but the roster is under- this offseason. They made a big splash by before being eliminated by the Coyotes in look group up front this year, adding whelming, especially with the indefinite signing Taylor Hall to a one-year deal the postseason play-in round. This year Alexander Wennberg, Anthony Duclair, absence of Jonathan Toews (illness). That while also bringing in Eric Staal and Cody they're going to need to find more stability Patric Hornqvist, Vinnie Hinostroza and defense is still pretty brutal and now Eakin. Their top six looks pretty solid but (especially in net) and it'll be interesting to 2018 first-round pick Grigori Denisenko. they've got a major question mark in net they've got major depth concerns, the see what they can accomplish in John That's nice and all, but the more pressing following the departure of Corey Crawford.

10 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com defense is still in rough shape and goal- favorites to win the Stanley Cup. They it's which of those prospects cracks the Vancouver Canucks (36-27) tending is a bit iffy. have an outstanding group of forwards led lineup and how they perform/develop this Last season: 78 PTS, 3rd in Pacific New JerseyDevils (28-29) by perennial Hart contender Nathan year. The future is the only thing that mat- At a glance: Vancouver emerged as a very Last season: 68 PTS, 8th in Metro MacKinnon and a very strong defensive ters for this team right now. fun, albeit imperfect, young team last sea- At a glance: There was a lot of excitement group led by reigning Calder winner Cale NORTH DIVISION son. They're led by one of the most promis- and promise in New Jersey heading into Makar . That defensive group added Devon Toronto Maple Leafs (36-25) ing superstars in the league in Elias last season but that didn't last long. This Toews and could also see the addition of Last season: 81 PTS, 3rd in Atlantic Pettersson, who could be a Hart candidate year, expectations are pretty low but the promising prospect Bowen Byram this At a glance: It was a disappointing regu- this year, and they could see another excit- Devils do have some young players that year. This is indisputably one of the best lar season followed by another first-round ing youngster (Nils Hoglander) crack the will be looking to prove themselves -- and teams in the NHL, top-to-bottom. exit for the Maple Leafs last year, and now lineup this year. The defense also improved Jack Hughes, who had a tough rookie cam- Anaheim Ducks (29-33) patience is really running thin for this core with the addition of Nate Schmidt, but paign, is probably at the top of that list. Last season: 67 PTS, 6th in Pacific to accomplish something. That being said, there are some unproven pieces that they're They did add Ryan Murray and and Corey At a glance: The Ducks are still very there's still hope and promise heading into going to lean on, including goaltender Crawford in an attempt to solidify their much rebuilding and transitioning to a new this year. The forward group remains very Thatcher Demko. Behind Demko is Braden back end a bit more this offseason. core, but they have some exciting young strong and T.J. Brodie has been added to Holtby, who's hoping for a bit of new life New York Islanders (35-23) pieces in the system and they could start the back end. But expectations and hype after some down years in Washington. Last season: 80 PTS, 5th in Metro seeing the future come clearer into focus mean nothing if they're not followed by Ottawa Senators (25-34) At a glance: The Islanders emerged as a this season. Trevor Zegras is coming off results, and nobody knows that more than Last season: 62 PTS, 7th in Atlantic | At Cinderella story in the playoffs last year, another outstanding performance at the Toronto at this point. It'll be interesting to a glance: They're probably still going to be but will they be able to continue that magic World Juniors and, while there's no guaran- keep an eye on how they deploy Joe pretty bad but the silver lining is that the into this season? They've thrived under the tee he makes the opening night roster, he Thornton, especially considering he's been rebuild is looking promising. They contin- leadership and defensive system of Barry may have an opportunity to be an impact slotted in as a top-line winger beside ue to add young prospects to the pipeline Trotz and they'll be bringing back most of player this year. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner early and we could see a few new faces have an their lineup (minus Devon Toews), so you Phoenix Coyotes (33-29) in camp. impact this season, including Tim Stuetzle, certainly can't write them off -- even in a Last season: 74 PTS, 5th in Pacific Calgary Flames (36-27) Erik Brannstrom and Josh Norris. The tough division. At a glance: "Going for it" didn't exactly Last season: 79 PTS, 4th in Pacific addition of Matt Murray in net could help New York Rangers (37-28) work out for Arizona last year and they lost At a glance: It's tough to gauge exactly them out too, but they better hope the Last season: 79 PTS, 7th in Metro Taylor Hall to free agency. They've got a where Calgary stands at this point. They've change of scenery helps him rediscover his At a glance: The Rangers' rebuild is head- new leadership group in place after the got a lot of nice pieces both up front and old self because that contract they gave ing in the right direction, especially after sudden departure of GM John Chayka, so on the blue line, and they addressed a big him was a little generous. landing Alexis Lafreniere with the top this could be somewhat of a need at the goaltender position with the NHL Predictions for 2021 overall pick in the 2020 draft. Things are transition/bridge season for the Yotes. They addition of Jacob Markstrom this offsea- East Division promising, but let's not get too ahead of may very well compete for a playoff spot son. They could be somewhat of a dark 1. Philadelphia Flyers ourselves -- they're still young and have in this division, but the roster doesn't exact- horse, but this is a team that has a tendency 2. New York Islanders some questionable, unproven players that ly scream serious contender. to be really hot or really cold, so... 3. Washington Capitals are going to crack the opening night line- San Jose Sharks Edmonton Oilers (37-25) 4. New York Rangers up, especially in the bottom six and on Last season: 63 PTS, 8th in Pacific Last season: 83 PTS, 2nd in Pacific 5. Boston Bruins defense. At a glance: Last season was a disappoint- At a glance: Despite getting unreal sea- 6. Pittsburgh Penguins WEST DIVISION ing mess for the Sharks , who were expect- sons from Connor McDavid and reigning 7. Buffalo Sabres Las Vegas Golden Knights (39-24) ing to be Cup contenders but instead fin- Hart-winner Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers 8. New Jersey Devils Last season: 86 PTS, 1st in Pacific ished with the 3rd-worst record in the were once again bit by their lack of depth Central Division At a glance: Vegas had an outstanding sec- league. It's tough to gauge where this team and a weak back end. That being said, 1. Tampa Bay Lightning ond half last season and entered the play- is at -- they've still got talent but there's not Kailer Yamamoto emerged as a solid ancil- 2. Dallas Stars offs as a strong Stanley Cup favorite. They a lot of depth and things could easily go lary piece on the wing and Edmonton's 3. Carolina Hurricanes were ultimately knocked off by Dallas in south fast, especially in a season with so addition of Dominik Kahun could provide 4. Columbus Blue Jackets the WCF, but the Golden Knights were much unpredictability. Goaltending has another support winger. Keep an eye on 5. Nashville Predators aggressive this offseason, signing Alex been a complete disaster for this team in Kyle Turris and Tyson Barrie too, as they're 6. Florida Panthers Pietrangelo to a big deal in free agency and recent years and it'll be interesting to moni- two players looking for a fresh start in 7. Detroit Red Wings re-signing Robin Lehner . As such, the tor if Devan Dubnyk helps at all ... but I Edmonton. 8. Chicago Blackhawks Knights carry one of the league's most wouldn't bank on that. Montreal Canadiens (31-31) West Division complete rosters into this season and are a Minnesota Wild (35-27) Last season: 71 PTS, 5th in Atlantic 1. Colorado Avalanche* serious contender for the Cup. Last season: 77 PTS, 6th in Central At a glance: The Habs are an intriguing 2. Vegas Golden Knights St. Louis Blues (42-19) At a glance: Minnesota has been an team in this division, especially after put- 3. St. Louis Blues Last season: 94 PTS, 1st in Central unspectacular, middling team for a while ting together a surprisingly exciting playoff 4. Minnesota Wild At a glance: The Blues had a strong sea- now and that's probably not going to run last year. A few of their young pieces 5. Arizona Coyotes son last year, especially considering they change this year. That being said, there is down the middle (Nick Suzuki and Jesperi 6. Los Angeles Kings went without their best offensive forward, some reason to be optimistic about the Kotkaniemi) are starting to bud, and 7. San Jose Sharks Vladimir Tarasenko . They'll be without direction in which this team is headed, and Montreal has added some support pieces in 8. Anaheim Ducks Tarasenko again to start this season, but we may start seeing that come into picture Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli, Corey Perry North Division they've added some reinforcements ( Mike this season with the arrival of Kirill and Michael Frolik. This team could take a 1. Toronto Maple Leafs Hoffman , Torey Krug) to help beef up Kaprizov. The forward group is solid, but step forward this year, especially if Carey 2. Calgary Flames offensive production. Though they lost cap- the strength of the team still lies in the Price returns to top form. 3. Montreal Canadiens tain Alex Pietrangelo in free agency, the defensive group. Goaltending could be a Winnepeg Jets (37-28) 4. Vancouver Canucks roster is still solid and they're almost guar- mess, though. Last season: 80 PTS, 5th in Central 5. Edmonton Oilers anteed a playoff spot in the weakest divi- Los Angeles Kings (29-35) At a glance: Sort of the same old story for 6. Ottawa Senators sion. Last season: 64 PTS, 7th in Pacific Winnipeg here this year -- they've got a 7. Winnipeg Jets Colorado Avalanche (42-20) At a glance: The Kings are still too old stacked top-six up front (the Paul Stastny *Presidents' Trophy: Avalanche Last season: 92 PTS, 2nd in Central and have too many holes to be taken seri- re-acquisition was a nice move) but the Stanley Cup Final At a glance: The Avs have been trending ously but they have a very good prospect depth is shaky and the defense is suspect, Series: Flyers vs. Golden Knights upwards for a few years thanks to their pool --- including newcomer Quinton at best. They're probably going to need Winner: Golden Knights high-end talent and budding young stars. Byfield, the No. 2 overall pick in last year's Connor Hellebuyck to remain in Vezina Conn Smythe Trophy This year they enter the season as odds-on draft. If there's anything to keep an eye on, form if they want to make noise. Robin Lehner

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 11 Stars will make another run in 2021

Detroit scored fewer goals (91) at even ing the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, in strength last season than Dallas (109). which the Stars reached the Stanley Cup Benn and Seguin had 25 together at even Final for the fifth time in franchise history, strength, while Miro Heiskanen (8) and and the third time since the club moved to John Klingberg (4) led the way from the Dallas in 1993-94. back. Dallas was a very strong defensive FOX Sports Southwest Plus will pro- team last season. Will a mediocre offense vide complete coverage of the opening prevent them from taking another step for- night festivities beginning at 7:00 p.m. with ward? Stars Live, featuring host Brien Rea and Best-Case Scenario analyst Brent Severyn. Color analyst Daryl There is a new look to the Central "Razor" Reaugh and play-by-play Division this year with Tampa, Carolina, announcer Josh Bogorad will call the Columbus, Florida, and Detroit joining and action on FOX Sports Southwest Plus and Colorado, Minnesota, and St. Louis mov- Sportsradio 1310 and 96.7 FM The Ticket ing to the West, while Winnipeg plays in as the Stars begin the 2020-21NHL season. the North. The schedule makes banking Forwards (13) points an important factor and there is no Jamie Benn, Nicholas Caamano, Andrew reason to think, despite the injuries to Cogliano, Ty Dellandrea, Jason Dickinson, Seguin and Bishop, that the Stars cannot Justin Dowling, Radek Faksa, Denis get back into the postseason. Bowness’ Gurianov, Roope Hintz, Joel Kiviranta, Joe There is no reason to think that the Stars cannot get back into the postseason approach worked with a team that needed Pavelski, Alexander Radulov, Jason an injection of positivity. With more famil- Robertson Dallas Stars 2020-21 NHL season Roman Polak (signed with Vitkovice HC of iarity between the players and coach, that Defensemen (8) preview Czech Republic), Martin Hanzal (retired), can only lead to more progress. Taylor Fedun, Joel Hanley, Miro By Mike McFee Corey Perry (signed with Montreal), Worst-Case Scenario Heiskanen, John Klingberg, Esa Lindell, The 2020-21 NHL season is almost Mattias Janmark (signed with Chicago) Khudobin regresses and throws the Jamie Oleksiak, Mark Pysyk, Andrej here so it’s time to preview the Dallas 3 Most Interesting Dallas Stars goaltending situation into flux, the offense Sekera Stars. ¥ Anton Khudobin: A great playoffs led struggles to find goals and even Seguin’s Goaltenders (2) Dallas Stars 2019-20 Rewind to the netminder signing a three-year, return isn’t enough to save them. A 56- Anton Khudobin, Jake Oettinger Record: 37-24-8 (82 pts.); third in Central $10M extension in October. After posting a game schedule doesn’t allow for much time Taxi Squad (6) Division; fourth in Western Conference .945 even strength save percentage in the for slumping, and with only four teams in Landon Bow, Rhett Gardner, Thomas Leading scorer: Denis Gurianov (20 regular season, he went .929 in the playoffs each division making the postseason Harley, Julius Honka, Tanner Kero, Joel goals); Tyler Seguin (50 points) during the team’s run to the Cup Final. there’s not a lot of time to “find chemistry” L'Esperance It was an eventful season for the Stars. With seven back-to-backs this season, or “figure things out,” something many Injured Non-Roster (2) They opened by losing eight of nine, then Khudobin will get plenty of rest as he teams use early season action to do. Ben Bishop, Stephen Johns, Tyler Seguin won 14 of their next 16 games. In shares the crease with Jake Oettinger until Non-Roster List (1) December, head coach Jim Montgomery Bishop gets healthy. He’s shown since The lineup consists of 23 active players, Blake Comeau was unexpectedly fired for “unprofessional arriving in Dallas he can handle a split as well as six players on the Taxi Squad Experience conduct.” Interim head coach Rick load, but he will certainly be the go-to The Stars roster entering the 2020-21 Bowness steered the ship the rest of the starter and leaned upon heavily in mean- by Dallas Stars Communications season has a combined 9,229 regular-sea- way, but Dallas entered the March pause ingful games. Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill son games of experience. The 23 skaters on on a six-game losing streak. ¥ Joel Kiviranta: He played only 11 announced this week the team's roster for the active roster comprise 6,866 of those Despite the ups and downs, the Stars’ games during the regular season but made opening night. The 2020-21 roster consists games, having a combined 3,382 points points percentage put them fourth in the his presence felt in the playoffs. The 24- of 23 active players, as well as six players (1,302-2,080=3,382). The two goaltenders West and earned a spot in the Return to year-old netted a hat trick, including the on the Taxi Squad, three players on injured have a combined record of 99-76-25 in 218 Play Round-Robin. overtime winner, in Game 7 against the non-roster and one player on the non-roster career games. Pavelski is the most experi- Dallas began the postseason losing four Avalanche, and followed up with two more list. The opening night roster includes 13 enced player on the team, sitting at 1,030 of their first six, and an injury to Ben goals in limited ice time. With Bowness a forwards, eight defensemen and two goal- games played in his career. Forward Ty Bishop opened the door for Anton big admirer, Kiviranta will likely have an tenders, while the Taxi Squad consists of Dellandrea (0 GP) and goaltender Jake Khudobin to step in. A comeback was on increased role in 2021. “He’s undaunted by three forwards, two defensemen and one Oettinger (0 GP) have the fewest NHL against Calgary in the First Round, then anything out there,” Bowness said during goaltender. games played on the opening night roster they ended up knocking out the favored the playoffs. “He’s not intimidated by one For the 10th consecutive season, the as both yet to skate in an NHL regular-sea- Avalanche in seven games. During the thing. He’s a great little competitor. Is it Stars will open their campaign at American son contest. Western Conference Final, they needed just nice to see him get rewarded with goals? Airlines Center as the club faces the Opening Night Roster By Country five games to eliminate the Golden Knight. Yes. Are we surprised at that? Yes. Did we Nashville Predators on Friday, Jan. 22 at Canada - 10, Finland - 4, United States - 3, In the Stanley Cup Final, the Stars took expect that kind of effort? Yeah, that’s what 7:30 p.m. The Stars are scheduled to play Russia - 2, Czech Republic - 1, Kazakhstan Game 1 against the Lightning, but would we saw when we played him earlier in the their first four games at American Airlines - 1, Slovakia - 1, Sweden - 1 ultimately drop three straight before falling year.” Center before traveling to Carolina to open Opening Night Roster By Size in six games. ¥ Jamie Benn: The captain’s production their road portion of the schedule against Average Height: 74 inches - 6'2", Tallest: In November, the Stars learned that has decrease in the last two season and the Hurricanes on Jan. 30. Oleksiak (79 inches - 6'7"), Shortest: Bishop and Tyler Seguin would be out until with Seguin out for a while, he’ll need to Prior to the start of Friday's game, the Cogliano and Dowling (70 inches - 5'10") around April. The off-season surgery to find his old form. While Denis Gurianov 2020-21 Dallas Stars team will take part in Average Weight: 201.7 pounds, Heaviest: Bishop made re-signing Khudobin a wise, and Roope Hintz stepped up with 39 com- an on-ice banner raising ceremony, recog- Oleksiak (255-pounds); Lightest: Cogliano wise move by GM Jim Nill. bined goals last season, Benn will get the nizing the team's 2019-20 Western (175-pounds) Additions spotlight if the goals are slow to come. Conference Championship. The banner Average Age: 27.5, Oldest: Pavelski (36), Mark Pysyk (signed as free agent), Julius (You wonder, even though he’s moved raising ceremony will pay tribute to the Youngest: Dellandrea (20) Honka (returns after a season in Finland) from CEO to chairman, will that prevent club's success in the Edmonton bubble dur- Subtractions Jim Lites from speaking out again?) Only

12 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com COLLEGES WITH BO CARTER College Football News and Notes

said NFF chair Archie Manning. “This NFF College Hall of Fame Facts summer, the college football season Some notable birthdates in NFF appeared uncertain, but as fall approached College Hall of Fame annals in the Jan. 26- the leaders of our sport rallied. They found Feb 1 time period are Jan. 26 (1899) ways to address health and safety concerns, Marty Below, Oshkosh, Wis.; (1905) Allyn and thanks to their herculean efforts and McKeen, Fulton, Ky.; (1906) Fred Miller, many sleepless nights,the season happened, Milwaukee, Wis.; (1926) John Merritt, albeit with a few twists and turns. Falmouth, Ky.; (1948) Mike Kelly, Troy, “It’s been truly remarkable, and every- Ohio; (1950) Jack Youngblood, Jacksoville, body has had to make sacrifices,” he con- Fla.; (1960) Jeff Davis, Greensboro, N.C.; tinued. “The players, the coaches, adminis- Jan. 27 (1894) Fritz Pollard, Chicago, Ill.; trators, parents, fans, bowl organizers, (1907) Peter Pund, Augusta, Ga.; (1920) medical staff, all top a truly endless list of Frankie Albert, Chicago, Ill.; Jan. 28 people who made the season happen. We (1937) Charlie Krueger, Caldwell, Texas; especially want to salute the 10 commis- Jan. 29 (1896) Edwin“Goat”Hale, Jackson, sioners in the FBS and the leadership of Miss.; (1927) Arnold Galiffa, Donora, Pa.; the College Football Playoff and the bowl (1945) Jim Donnan, Laurens, S.C.; Jan. 30 games for all they did to create experiences (1925) Bump Elliott, Detroit, Mich.;(1923) for the student-athletes who play our game, Frank “Muddy” Waters, Chico, Ga.; Jan. many for their coveted final senior seasons, 31 (1909) Bert Metzger, Chicago, Ill.; while realizing there were countless others (1913) Don Hutson, Pine Bluff, Ark.; who had to sit on the sidelines because of (1913) Wayne Millner, Roxbury, Mass.; the pandemic.” (1938) Chris Burford, Oakland, Calif.; Specifically, the NFF would like to (1953) Roosevelt Leaks, Brenham, Texas; salute NCAA FBS conference commission- Feb. 1 (1908) Albie Booth, New Haven. ers Mike Aresco (American), John Swofford Conn.; (1915) Gaynell “Gus” Tinsley, (ACC), Bob Bowlsby (Big 12), Kevin Ruple, La. Warren (Big Ten),Judy MacLeod (C- USA), Notable anniversary death dates for Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher (Mid-American), Hall of Famers are Jan. 26 (1965) Harry The Chiefs will be seeking back to back SB titles after winning in 2020 over the 49ers Craig Thompson (Mountain West), Larry Stuhldreher, Pittsburgh, Pa.; (1983) Paul Scott (Pac-12), Greg Sankey (SEC), Keith “Bear” Bryant, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; (1996) Gill (Sun Belt), and the leaders at the four Frank Howard, Clemson, S.C.; Jan. 27 QB Tom Brady of Tampa Bay and independents (Army, BYU, Liberty, and (2008) Mike Holovak, Ruskin, Fla.; (2011) Michigan against 2019 NFL MVP and 25- Massachusetts) who played this season, as Vaughn Mancha, Tallahassee, Fla.; Jan. 28 year-old phenom QB Patrick Mahomes of well as College Football Playoff executive (1991)Red Grange,Lake Wales,Fla.; (2004) KC and Texas Tech. Chiefs head coach director Bill Hancock, whose staff just Elroy Hirsch, Madison, Wis.; Jan. 28 (2013) Andy Reid and the Chiefs are seeking to staged its seventh successful CFP National Doug Kenna, No. Palm Beach, Fla.; Jan. become the first NFL squad and coach to Championship, and the leaders of the 25 30 (2017) Don Coleman, East Lansing, win back-to-back Lombardi Trophies since postseason bowl games that concluded the Mich.; (2018) Clyde Scott, Little Rock, the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach 2020 season. The CFP has been an impor- Ark.; Jan. 31 (1945) Al Blozis, Vosges Chuck Noll captured the Super Bowl in tant addition to the college football land- Mountains, France; (1992) Mel Hein, San 1978 and ’79. scape the past seven years. Clemente, Calif.; Feb. 1 (1928) Joe NFL commissioner Roger Goodell acti- Former Delaware Blue Hens freshman Thompson, Beaver Falls, Pa.; (1989) vated a Zoom call last week to notify team wide receiver and U.S. President Joe Everett Bacon, Southampton, N.Y. BO CARTER administrators and leaders of approximate- Biden is now the fifth president to attend or Happy birthdays to NFF College Hall [email protected] ly 7,500 frontline healthcare workers that graduate from a school that sported a of Fame members Jan. 26 Mike Kelly, Jack they would be attending Super Bowl LV future NFL Super Bowl-winning quarter- Youngblood, Jeff Davis, Jan. 28 Charlie The field for Super Bowl¨ LV is set for Feb. 7 in Tampa, Fla., with complimentary back, according to a USA Today report. Krueger, Jan. 29 Jim Donnan (a spry 75), Feb. 7 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay will be tickets. The state of Florida is allowing President Biden joins fellow Super Bowl Jan. 31 Chris Burford (a spry 83), playing in its second Super Bowl after win- 14,500 additional spectators for the Super connections Ð Delaware (Mr. Biden and Roosevelt Leaks… ning Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002 in its Bowl to bring the sellout tally to 22,000 QB Joe Flacco), Michigan (star football Tarleton State will travel to Portland only previous appearance. The Buccaneers tickets distributed. center Gerald Ford and QB Tom Brady), State for an Oct. 9 skirmish...SMU and also will be first team to host a Super Bowl Austin (Texas) College and Trinity Navy (Jimmy Carter and NFF College Hall TCU will continue their DFW Metroplex in the 55-year history of the contest. The (Texas) are less than two weeks from start- of Fame QB Roger Staubach), Stanford Battle for the Iron Skillet through the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs will be seeking their ing the 2021 college spring regulation sea- (football manager Herbert Hoover and Jim season. The 2020 meeting between the first back-to-back SB titles after winning son in San Antonio, Texas. Plunkett, John Elway), and Miami (Ohio) teams was cancelled due to COVID-19 sit- the 2020 extravaganza over the San The NFF saluted all those who played a (Benjamin Harrison and Ben Roethlisberger). uations…Ohio will host Duquesne in 2021 Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs almost had a critical role in 2020 during the pandemic to Mr. Biden also attended Super Bowl LII …North Carolina Central, Marist and rematch of Super Bowl I against the Green ensure that the players, coaches and fans between the winning Philadelphia Eagles Dayton have postponed their football sea- Bay Packers before Tampa Bay upended had the opportunity to experience the game and the New England Patriots as well as sons until the fall semester..Texas Wesleyan the Packers 31-26 in Green Bay. The in safe environments. the 2011 NCAA Division I Football will open the spring portion of its 2020-21 Chiefs are 2-1 all-time in Super Bowls “The college football community just Championship as a special guest of slate on Friday, Feb. 19, at Southwestern after downing Minnesota in the 1970 con- concluded the most challenging football Delaware, which lost a 20-19 squeaker at Assemblies of God. The Rams closed the test in New Orleans, La. The game pits 43- season in our lifetimes as the global pan- Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, to Eastern fall outing at 1-1 and rescheduled fall year-old veteran and 10-time Super Bowl demic has impacted every aspect of life,” Washington. (Continued on page 14)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 13 opponent Wayland Baptist for Saturday, head coach Mike Stoops was considered Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart also were Tim Hall, KSU executive director of phi- March 6, in Plainview, Texas. but decided to follow another coaching under consideration, according to pub- lanthropy and alumni engagement Jennifer Sacred Heart athletics publicist Aaron path. Former Montana State head coach lished reports, for two recent NCAA FBS Kulics, and UCF executive associate AD Gaberman, a childhood cancer survivor, is Jeff Choate has become the Longhorns AD’s openings…Texas Tech named former for revenue generation Patrick Ransdell, working through his personal Berni & inside linebackers coach and co-defensive UCF deputy AD for student-athlete success and former Towson AD Mike Waddell... Murcer Foundation, to help young cancer coordinator…The updated LSU defensive Brandi Stuart as executive senior associate ..Tennessee chancellor Dr. Donde Plowman patients with comfort dolls and encourage- coordinator’s position is to be determined, AD and senior women administrator…The was credited with taking quick action in ment messages. Gaberman became friends and Minnesota Vikings defensive backfield Duke Chronicle added UCF AD Danny responding to NCAA football recruiting with former New York Yankees and fellow coach Daronte Jones is noted as a leading White (who accepted the same position at allegations earlier this month…Mississippi brain cancer patient Bobby Murcer (who candidate…North Texas has hired former Tennessee), Louisville AD Vince Tyra and State athletics has advertise for an assistant signed a football scholarship with SMU head coach, Baylor, Arizona State, Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt to the grow- coordinator of creative video…Xavier Oklahoma before inking a baseball bonus Texas A&M defensive coordinator Phil ing list of possible candidates for the (Ohio) athletics is seeking an assistant contract out of high school with the Bennett as its new defensive coordinator... vacant Duke AD’s position before White director of compliance…UCLA has posted Yankees; he also later served in the U.S. …Former Notre Dame assistant director of accepted the Tennessee’s AD post…Boise a position for a new senior associate AD Army) before Murcer passed away from football strength and conditioning Robert State AD Jeremiah Dickey inked a five- for communications…The Illinois State cancer in 2008 and dedicated the B&M Stiner is moving to Southern California as year contract with a two percent annual Board of Trustees approved a $46,000 Foundation in Murcer’s memory...Southern director of football sports performance... raise plus performance bonuses..Washington bonus for retiring president Dr. Larry Dietz Miss athletics inaugurated the #McNelis …Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders State AD Pat Chun spoke of ways to finish for his academic and leadership perform- Strong Campaign with special silicone asked the help of Jackson, Miss., area the college basketball season without addi- ance....Washington State president Dr. Kirk wristbands for student-athletes, staff, fans police and neighborhood watch groups tional delays and ways WSU is coping with Schulz spoke of some of the challenges and teams nationwide to encourage head after having his truck robbed and vandal- the health and safety of student-athletes for awaiting the new Pac-12 Conference com- women’s basketball coach Joye Lee- ized last week…South Carolina athletics football and all other sports…Ohio State missioner and opportunities for the circuit McNelis who has been diagnosed with a and former head coach Will Muschamp AD Gene Smith spoke of how the to advance among the Power Five confer- recurrence of breast cancer…The Miami have settled on the payout amount and Buckeyes plan to implement the delayed ences. Heat will utilize special sniffing dogs to timetable for his severance agreement. NCAA names, images and likenesses’ Pac-12 Conference commissioner Larry check on possible COVID-19 cases among Hometowns of more 2021 college head compensation packages. Sportico also fea- Scott will be completing his 11-year tenure attending fans, players, coaches, and staff. coaches Ð Texas Tech: Matt Wells, tured Smith on its list of dignitaries for its in summer 2021 with a search committee New Marshall head coach Charles Huff Columbia, S.C.; UTEP: Dana Dimel, research story How AD's Calendars ready to look at candidates for the post. has inked a four-year contract with the Columbus, Ohio; UTSA: Jeff Traylor, Logged College Sports' Season of Oregon president and Pac-12 CEO Group Thundering Herd…Idaho State head coach Gilmer, Texas; Toledo: Jason Candle, Disruption with daily remembrances of the chair Dr. Michael Schill is working with a Rob Phenicie had his contract extended Salem, Ohio; Trinity (Conn.): Jeff Ohio State AD’s 2020 calendar from committee to move expeditiously to choose through Jan. 20, 2023, with an updated Devanney, Hartford, Conn. March 15-Sept. 27…Monmouth AD a successor. To date, there is no search firm base salary…Purdue has tabbed former Former UCF director of athletics Danny Marilyn McNeil will retire at the 2020-21 employed for the circuit…Some of the pos- Charlotte head coach Brad Lambert as co- White is the new AD at Tennessee.... academic year with 28 years of leading sible successors for the Pac-12’s top slot defensive coordinator…Liberty head coach .....Tennessee standout and NFF College Hawks athletics…Ole Miss AD Keith are Stanford AD Dr. Bernard Muir, Hugh Freeze and former Tennessee stand- Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning and for- Carter is working with various publics to Alabama's Greg Byrne, Ohio State AD out TE and current active NFL star Jason mer UT assistant/Duke head coach David help finance capital improvements and a Gene Smith, West Coast Conference com- Witten have been mentioned as some pos- Cutcliffe had a solid impact on White’s new capital campaign primarily for football missioner Gloria Nevarez, Fox Sports pres- sibilities for the Tennessee Volunteers new ascension to the AD’s post…Some of the but to assist the department sports-wide ident of national networks Mark Silverman, head coach…LSU’s new defensive coordi- leading early candidates to replace Fulmer ...…Utah AD Mark Harlan observed that Clemson AD Dan Radakovich, former nator is former NFL New Orleans Saints at Tennessee in communications with UT Utes athletics had completed most of its NCAA executive and West Virginia AD assistant coach Ryan Nielsen…Cincinnati administrators and media were East necessary staff furloughs and was awaiting Oliver Luck, ESPN's Burke Magnus, has chosen former Michigan State assistant Carolina AD Jon Gilbert, UAB AD Mark the continued results of COVID-19 vacci- Arizona State AD Ray Anderson, UCLA coach Mike Tressel as its defensive coordi- Ingram, Austin Peay AD Gerald Harrison, nations and the progress of the virus to dic- AD Martin Jarmond, former U.S. Secretary nator…Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt and Middle Tennessee senior associate AD tate remaining winter and spring sports of State and Herbert Hoover Distinguished has been relieved of his duties. Former David Blackburn…Some additional candi- activities as well as the completion of reno- Professor at Stanford Dr. Condoleezza Baylor head coach and 2020 Auburn inter- dates mentioned early in the hiring process vations at Rice-Eccles Stadium with a pro- Rice, and NFL International chief operat- im head coach Kevin Steele has been for Tennessee’s new AD position were jected July finish…Arkansas AD Hunter ing officer Damani Leech…Abilene appointed as interim Volunteers head Virginia Tech AD Whit Babcock, Texas Yurachek estimates that his the department Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston State, and coach…Tennessee assistant coaches Brian Tech AD Kirby Hocutt, North Texas AD will have a 2020-21 shortfall of $25-30 Stephen F. Austin will join the WAC July Niedermeyer and Shelton Felton have left Wren Baker, Arkansas State AD Terry million due to COVID-19 conditions. He 1, 2021 - a year earlier than the previous the program…SMU offensive coordinator Mohajir. Florida Atlantic AD Brian White, also approved of No. 1 nationally 2022-23 academic year. The WAC is Garrett Riley is the younger brother of New Mexico AD Eddie Nunez, Clemson Connecticut replacing opt-out Vanderbilt expected to resume football competition in Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley and a deputy AD Graham Neff, Georgia State Thursday on the women’s basketball autumn 2021 as well…CBS Sports noted proud native of famed Muleshoe, Texas... AD Charlie Cobb, East Tennessee State schedule…Kent State’s AD vacancy has there is a chance that the Big Ten …Alabama chose former NFL Jacksonville AD Dr. Daryl Carter, and South Carolina procured several candidates from leading Conference might be considering moving Jaguars head Doug Marrone as its new deputy AD Chance Miller, among others college athletics’ circles such as Golden its postseason tournament from Chicago to offensive line coach…Boise State added …Tennessee deputy AD and chief opera- Flashes deputy AD of external operations Indianapolis...Big Ten commissioner Kevin former Utah State co-defensive coordinator tion officer Reid Sigmon (formerly an Casey Cegles, Lynn (Fla.) AD Devin Warren was applauded for taking actions Stacy Collins as special teams coordinator executive with the College Football Crosby, Texas Tech senior associate AD for for sportsmanship issues in men’s basket- …Marshall offensive coordinator Tim Playoff) is serving as acting AD, and the academic services Greg Glaus, Norfolk ball and men’s hockey …Montana, Cramsey will be retained on the 2021 staff Parker Executive Search Firm assisted in State senior associate AD for external Montana State, Northern Colorado, and ...Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian almost the location of new AD Danny White as affairs Mike Hermann, National Youth Portland State have opted out of the spring has completed his 2021 assistant coaching well as the Volunteers new head coach.... Sports Nevada vice president Justin Phelps, 2021 football season, and eight teams will staff with the appointments of defensive …White’s five-year compensation package Old Dominion senior associate AD for compete in six conference contests to coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, offensive as AD is the fourth-highest among public sport administration and student-athlete determine the Big Sky Conference title... line coach Kyle Flood, quarterbacks coach colleges and carries an annual five percent welfare Randale Richmond, Mid-American ....The Big 12 Conference released its 2021 A.J. Milwee, special teams/tight ends incentive raise…Georgia AD Josh Brooks Conference senior associate commissioner league-only baseball schedule with 24 con- coach Jeff Banks, running backs coach has pledged $100,000 for need-based for championships and sport development ference-only encounters and up to 32 non- Stan Drayton, and receivers coach Andre financial aid scholarship fund for students Jeff Bacon, Case Western assistant vice circuit clashes…The Southern Conference Coleman. Another linebackers coach’s hire from the Athens-Clarke County area... president for global development and prin- baseball schedule will include 10 three- still is in the offing, and former Arizona UNLV AD Desiree Reed-Francois and cipal gifts Matt Geis, SIU Edwardsville AD game series with a March 19-21 and two

14 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com divisions…West Coast Conference com- Tangelo of Duke…Canadian Football of the Houston Cougars, the NFL Houston FBS governance outside the NCAA model. missioner Gloria Nevarez addressed how League media mentioned the draftability of Oilers and MLB Houston Astros, were Suggested candidates for a designated her league considered a possible bubble in the University of Calgary’s (Canada) demonstrated as Houston city officials are commissioner for the new super group are the Las Vegas, Nev., area to complete Logan Bandy and 2020 Ole Miss transfer looking at several proposals for new usages former Big Ten Conference commissioner men’s and women’s basketball. LB Deane Leonard who started his career …Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team Jim Delany, Stanford head coach David The Mercari Houston Bowl is hoping to at Calgary…The 247Sports website reports has opted out of the rest of the 2020-21 Shaw, ESPN vice president Stephanie continue its sponsorship agreement beyond 1,467 NCAA FBS football student-athletes season due to COVID-19 contact tracing Druley, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, last month’s contest in Houston, Texas, utilizing the NCAA Transfer portal since and multiple contact tracing challenges Alabama head coach Nick Saban, and Ohio between Mercari and the HB staff…Cricket Aug. 1, 2020. Some recent notables are …There have been 19 men’s and women’s State AD and 2007 NFF John L. Toner Wireless is the new title sponsor of MEAC/ former Penn State QB Micah Bowens to basketball and winter sports teams affected Award recipient Gene Smith…The Athletic SWAC Kickoff Challenge and 2021 Oklahoma, former Nebraska WR Wan’Dale by COVID-19 contact tracing or positive also spoke of the continued challenges to Celebration Bowl…Offerpad and the Robinson to Kentucky, former Georgia AB testing…Detroit Mercy’s women’s basket- winter sports seasons and how the NCAA Arizona Bowl are seeking to extend the Tyrique Stevenson to Miami (Fla.), and ball team scrubbed the remainder of the and conferences are working on short- group’s sponsorship for the contest...... Memphis grad transfer DB TJ Carter to season for the same reasons last week notice scheduling, postponements and can- Memphis WR Javon Ivory had one of the TCU. …Wyatt, Dunagan and Williams, Inc. is cellations…Sports Illustrated did a research top five showings for receiving yards dur- NFF College Hall of Fame coach Philip producing new commemorative Texas and speculation story about how the presi- ing the 2020-21 bowl season with 126 Fulmer is seeking another career path as he A&M Aggies ceramic football helmet sav- dency of former Delaware Blue Hens wide- yards in the Montgomery Bowl…Coastal will retire in coming days from Tennessee ings’ banks…The Illinois men's gymnastics out Joe Biden and the new configuration of Carolina QB Grayson McCall (named to as director of athletics. He had served as conducted what is believed to be the first the U.S. House of Representatives and the FWAA Freshman All-America Team) UT AD for four years after retiring as the virtual meet in NCAA history against Senate might affect future NCAA names, just missed leading the Chanticleers back Vols head coach in 2008. He also was spe- Northern Illinois with each team competing images and likenesses’ compensation and during a comeback effort against Liberty cial assistant to the president in helping in its own facilities and livestreaming to enforcement policies. Florida already has a with 318 passing yards in the FBC bring back varsity football at East the meet’s judges. In the early 1980s the state NIL law, which takes effect in July Mortgage Cure Bowl. Tennessee State in 2015. His current com- Southwest Conference held its Swimming …The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel newspaper Alabama extended its all-time victories’ pensation contract runs through Dec. 31, and Diving Championships in similar fash- spoke of former UCF AD Danny White’s (44) and bowl games played (73) NCAA 2023…Former Air Force, Ohio State and ion at campus settings as members blindly rejection of previous AD departure offers records with a pair of College Football NFL linebacker Anthony Schlegel will faxed (in the days before social media) from Southern California and Georgia and Playoff triumphs and its 12th Associated serve as the new strength and conditioning swimmers’ times and divers’ marks to the how he has helped the Knights grow as a Press national championship since AP coach for head coach Urban Meyer with conference office in Dallas for compilation department of athletics through the years began college football ratings in 1936 the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars…Former and meet scoring. A massive ice storm that …Yahoo Sports recalled some of the glory …The Football Reference website recalled Texas A&M and NFL standout Dan remained intact for three days prevented days of Western Athletic Conference foot- several present or defunct bowls, which Campbell now heads the NFL Detroit essentially all plane and bus or van travel ball with national stars such as NFF were not played in post-2020. Among these Lions coaching staff…Former Pacific, NFL prior to and during the meet…Connecticut College Hall of Fame All-America RBs postseason tussles are the original Alamo quarterback and pro head coaching great athletics reported a fiscal year 2020 deficit Marshall Faulk of San Diego State and (last played in 1947), All-American/Hall of Tom Flores was highlighted for his head of $43.5 million budget primarily because LaDainian Tomlinson of TCU along with Fame Classic (1990), Aloha Classic (2000), coaching record with the Oakland Raiders of finances lost with the cancelation of the QB Ty Detmer of BYU…The Chicago Aviation (1961), Baccardi (1937), and against NFL Professional Hall of Fame American Athletic Conference and NCAA Tribune newspaper had a front page story Makers Bahama Bowl (2019, scheduled mentors Don Shula, 6-1; Chuck Noll, 3-1; tournaments…Dozens of commissioners about the impact of former Northwestern again in 2021). Bill Parcells, 3-1; Marv Levy, 3-5; Bill and ADs from all five levels of college ath- AD and incoming Atlantic Coast Some leading members of the 2020 Walsh, 2-1; Bill Cowher, 2-1; and Tom letics told AthleticDirectorU about their Conference commissioner Jim Phillips on FWAA All-America team are QB Spencer Landry, 2-1, among others. Flores also is favorite books read in 2020 and sugges- the program for the last 13 years…The Rattler, Oklahoma; RB Ulysses Bentley IV, featured in a Coors Light commercial with tions for further reading…North Carolina Athletic mentioned that the Pac-12 SMU; RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame; his grandson and a likeness of Flores on athletics will lay off personnel to delete Conference needs a school like Alabama, WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU; WR Marvin the beverage’s cans…Connecticut head three percent of its annual budget and slice Ohio State or Michigan in football, Duke Mims, Oklahoma; WR Tahj Washington, women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma operating expenses by 15 from 2021-23 to or North Carolina in baseball and continues Memphis; OL Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh; spoke of passing late and fellow Naismith alleviate COVID-19 related expenses. The to be at a bit of a disadvantage because of and OL Jeremy James, Ole Miss, among Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt of university estimates a total loss of $200 late evening (and early morning) telecasts others…Former North Texas standout RB Tennessee-Martin and Tennessee for sec- million for all departments during 2020-21 from the Pacific Time Zone in all sports Tre Siggers is coming to SMU as a gradu- ond place on the all-time women’s coach- because of the pandemic…The California …The Athletic also spoke of a possible ate transfer for ’21..Former South Carolina ing victories’ list with 1,100 wins and Interscholastic Section, governing body for split by Power Five football conferences QB Ryan Hilinski has transferred to counting Ð all at UConn. high school sports in the Golden Gate and possibly the Group of Five loops from Northwestern…Texas A&M received 2022 The $65 million Gary and Barbara State, has cancelled all fall sports activities the NCAA to establish continuity and a verbal signing commitments from state Rodkin Academic Success Center opened already postponed until spring 2021 until broad-based profitable financial model for Class 6A champions Katy (Texas) HS at Rutgers last week with support for 700- August…Duke athletics’ fiscal year rev- their respective universities through the defensive end Malick Sylla and from plus student-athletes with offices and work- enue setback due to COVID-19 conditions girdiron sport. The online publication also Austin (Texas) Westlake QB Cade out facilities for multiple sports in addition now is estimated at $36 million-plus, but mentioned a combination of governance by Klubnick …Former Tennessee offensive to the academic areas…UCLA athletics fundraising activities and updates on the NCAA and NFL executives for rules and lineman Wanya Morris has transferred to gained a $1 million donation from an operating budget will create a final budget- enforcement purposes…The Lincoln (Neb.) Oklahoma…St. Louis, Mo., rising high anonymous and longtime philanthropic ary gap of $5-7 million. Journal Star had its most extensive and in- school junior WR standout Christopher couple with funds earmarked for the foot- Former ESPN commentator Trey Wingo depth interview with Nebraska head coach Brooks is the son of standout Nebraska and ball program…Murray State athletics has moved over to an announcing position Scott Frost for a story series last Friday… NFL wideout Chris Brooks…Texas Tech received a $100,000 donation for the Clear with the PGA Tour Live Network.... Former ESPN show hosts John Skipper and QB Alan Bowman has entered the ’21 the Track campaign to assist the Racers Mississippi Today online newspaper opined Dan Le Batard are working with investors NCAA transfer portal…Former LSU line- football from alumnus and former football about board members, administrators and to start a new, sports-centered Meadowlark backer Ray Thornton is transferring in student-athlete student-athlete Scotty athletics’ personnel of publicly-funded Media Network…The NBC Sports graduate status to Texas…Penn State sports Crump and his wife Debi…In spite of chartered schools needing to follow Network will close later this year with such four 2021 transfers who may figure promi- COVID-19 devastation, Auburn athletics statewide ethics and legal policies in mak- sports as the NHL, NASCAR and the nently in some areas of the Nittany Lions posted its largest surplus since 2008 ing their decisions…Learfield IMG College Tokyo Olympics moving to programming game plans. They are RB Johnny Dixon of because of some solid, early management has selected former Bandai Namco vice on the USA Network and the Peacock South Carolina, DE Arnold Ebiketie of techniques…Some multiple, three-dimen- president for marketing Eric Hartness as its webstream…Opendorse surveyed FBS Temple, grad transfer RB John Lovett of sional architectural renderings for a re- vice president for eSports…The Athletic schools and found that Penn State had the Baylor, and grad transfer DT Derrick birthed Houston Astrodome, former home spoke of some possible solutions to NCAA (continued on page 16)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 15 largest athletics joint communications, cre- spectators, meet officials and media…The ative, graphics, and video office with 25 NCAA's Social Series interviews featured employees followed by Texas A&M (24), the Center for Disease Control’s Dr. Erin Virginia Tech (23), Alabama (21), and Sauber-Schatz on the latest developments Ohio State (21). Georgia leads all commu- in the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects nications’ offices nationally with 16 dedi- of nationwide vaccinations. Dr. Sauber- cated employees for media relations and Schatz also has two degrees from Texas related areas. A&M and is a solid supporter of Aggies The FWAA is starting the year with an athletics. active membership drive via its official website FWAA.com. Potential members 2020-21 College Football Playoff Bowl also can sign up for the basketball writers’ Schedule with New Year’s Six Games organization at USBWA.com and baseball (All Games Televised by ESPN, Eastern) writers via NCBWA.com with special dis- Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 (CFP Semifinals) Ð counts for multiple memberships on these EST start times groups…Maurice Williams of the Mid- Rose Bowl presented by Capital One Eastern Athletic Conference, Cody Linn of CFP Semifinal Marshall, Ryan Bjork of Sacramento State, Alabama 31, Notre Dame 14 Wes Bloomquist of Texas Tech, and Nancy AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas Yasharoff of the Sun Belt Conference were Allstate Sugar Bowl featured subjects and opinion makers in the Ohio State 42, Clemson 28 CoSIDA Open Forum online newsletter New Orleans, La. …Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Louisville, LSU, Monday, Jan. 11 Maryland, Michigan State, Notre Dame, CFP Championship Purdue-Fort Wayne, Southern California, Alabama 52, Ohio State 24 Tennessee, and UCLA are working with Miami, Florida NCAA enforcement and compliance offi- Wednesday, Dec. 30-Jan. 2 (Other New cials concerning possible issues and probes Year’s Six Bowls) at their respective schools…The NCAA Wednesday, Dec. 30 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Goodyear Cotton Bowl indicated its play-in contests will begin Oklahoma 55, Florida 20 March 18 in the Indianapolis, Ind., with AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, First Four games at Purdue’s Mackey Friday, Jan. 1ÐChick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Arena and Indiana’s Assembly Hall. The Georgia 24, Cincinnati 21 Sweet 16 will be March 27-28 with Elite Atlanta, Georgia Eight contests on March 29-30 prior to the Sat., Jan. 2 - PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Final Four April 3 and 5 at Lucas Oil Iowa State 34, Oregon 17 Stadium in Indianapolis…Nationally Glendale, Ariz., known economist Dr. Andrew Zimbalist of Capital One Orange Bowl Forbes magazine has called for a possible Texas A&M 42, North Carolina 28, NCAA limited and conditional antitrust Miami Lakes, Florida exemption to help the organization finan- 2021-22 College Football Playoff Bowl cial stability similar to the old Major Schedule with New Year’s Six Games League Baseball antitrust exemptions, (All Games Televised by ESPN, Eastern) which were overturned in the late 1960s Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 (CFP Semifinals …The Indianapolis Star wrote about the & Championship Jan. 10) Ð Tentative EST NCAA’s dedication to playing the 2021 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Men’s Division I Basketball Championship AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, and how the NCAA’s projected $868 mil- 4 or 8 p.m. lion in television rights for ’21 and an Capital One Orange Bowl anticipated $178 million through champi- Hard Rock Stadium onship sponsorships, attendance and the Miami Lakes, Fla., 4 or 8 p.m. NIT, which the NCAA owns…NCAA vice Monday, Jan. 10 - CFP Championship, president for enforcement Jon Duncan Semifinal Winners addressed several recent investigations, Lucas Oil Stadium some of which began just over three years Indianapolis, Ind., 8 p.m. ago, and spoke of some of the frustration in Thursday, Dec. 30. 2021-Jan. 1, 2022 the slowness of the overall process. (Other New Year’s Six Bowls) Presently, there are at least 11 schools Thurs., Dec. 30 Ð Chick Fil-A Peach working with NCAA enforcement on these Bowl Mercedes-Benz Stadium allegations…The NCAA told media groups Atlanta, Ga., TBD that there will be a NIT and WNIT played Fri., Jan. 1 Ð PlayStation Fiesta Bowl this year with dates and sites to be deter- State Farm Stadium mined…The NCAA Division I Women’s Glendale, Ariz. TBD Basketball Committee is allowing a one- Friday, Jan. 1 Ð year waiver for non-.500 overall percentage Allstate Sugar Bowl candidates for the 64-team postseason tour- Mercedes-Benz Superdome nament as at-large selections due to dozens New Orleans, La., TBD of COVID-19 pauses, game and season Friday, Jan. 1 Ð Rose Bowl presented by cancellations…The postponed 2020 Tokyo Capital One Olympics are set to begin tentatively in late Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, Calif. July if COVID-19 conditions will allow ###

16 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com AUTO REVIEW MERCEDES-BENZ GLA Between Crossover SUV and Hatchback

7.1 seconds with all-wheel drive. These numbers provide no reason to make new entries in the record books, but represent satisfactory performance for most people on most roads. For greater enjoyment, the Sport driving mode sharpens throttle response and delays transmission upshifts to give the GLA 250 a little extra verve. 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 208 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm 258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,200-4,000 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/34 mpg (FWD), 23/31 mpg (AWD) The Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $34,250. Add the $995 destina- tion charge for $35,245. The 4Matic AWD system runs another $2,000. For a premium vehicle, the GLA is priced attractively. Fight the urge to be impulsive, though, when consulting the options list. It’s possible to spend close to By kbb.com Annoyingly, those occasions often occur at level crossover SUV,” it still comes with $3,500 on supplemental driver aids alone. The Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 straddles the worst possible time, and that’s why it’s plenty of premium equipment as standard. Throw in a few comfort and convenience that vague ground between crossover SUV great to have another unblinking eye on the The long list includes a power liftgate, amenities, and the bottom line easily zips and hatchback. This subcompact vehicle road ahead, and with the ability to apply automatic dual-zone climate control, 18- past the $40,000 mark and well on the way has the much-loved raised driving position the brakes if necessary. inch aluminum-alloy wheels, selectable toward $50,000. and offers all-wheel drive. But whereas This technology is perfect for traffic driving modes, 14-way power-adjustable Compared to other vehicles like the most crossover SUVs tend to be a bit more jams on your daily commute. Pressing a front seats with memory settings, a high- GLA, the Audi Q3 and BMW X2 cost a lit- (or a lot more) imposing, the GLA 250 button keeps the brake applied, such as resolution 8-inch infotainment display, and tle more, while the Lexus UX and Volvo makes a little less of a splash. when stopped at a red light. So the driver keyless entry/ignition. Standard safety fea- XC40 cost a little less. The Infiniti QX30, Overall, the GLA 250 is charming, can relax that foot a little before stepping tures include forward-collision warning which shares a platform and powertrains credibly representing affordable luxury as on the accelerator pedal. with automatic emergency braking and with the GLA, as well as many interior it competes against rivals like the Audi Q3, The usual elegance Mercedes-Benz dis- driver-attention monitoring. parts, costs several thousand dollars less BMW X2, Infiniti QX30, Lexus UX and plays in its cabins is certainly evident in All-wheel drive (known as “4Matic” in than the Mercedes. Volvo XC40. However, a redesigned the GLA 250, but look a little closer and Mercedes jargon) costs an extra $2,000, Before buying, check the KBB.com Fair Mercedes GLA is just months away, and if some of the plastics used are more main- bringing an Off-road driving mode, a dedi- Purchase Price to see what others in your you can wait, we recommend doing so. stream than premium in terms of quality. cated display and downhill-speed regula- area are paying for their new GLA 250. Driving the Mercedes-Benz GLA For the GLA to be the company’s least tion. According to KBB, resale value is not as Given the modest width and length of the expensive crossover SUV, some cost-cut- Additional options include leather seats, favorable as the Lexus UX and Volvo GLA 250, it feels about as stable and plant- ting has to happen somewhere. Besides, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, XC40. ed as it’s possible to be. These dimensions everything seems to be built well enough. adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree cam- Which Mercedes-Benz GLA Model is make it easy to park, helped by the light Being a subcompact, the 2020 GLA era system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Right for Me? steering, and the GLA feels perfectly at 250 is far from roomy, but space for rear smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, ambient Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 home in towns and suburbs. passengers is acceptable for average-sized LED cabin lighting, a hands-free tailgate, a 18-inch aluminum wheels On the freeway, it’s about as quiet as a adults providing those in front aren’t above panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, heated MB-Tex simulated-leather upholstery good mainstream car, but a little more average in height. With the rear seats front seats, a Harman Kardon audio system Dual-zone automatic climate control sound insulation wouldn’t go amiss in a flipped down, total cargo space is 43.6 upgrade, remote start/lock/unlock, and a 14-way-power front seats premium vehicle like this. Similarly, the cubic feet. For some context, the VW Golf semi-autonomous parking feature. In other Forward-collision warning w/automatic ride quality is comfortable and connected, compact hatchback has 52.7. words, many of the items offered for larger, emergency braking but not quite convincing as a luxury car. Whether or not you think the GLA 250 truly luxurious vehicles are available for Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 AMG-Line Our thoughts on the dual-clutch automatic is a real SUV, it certainly has some of the the GLA 250. 19-inch AMG-design aluminum-alloy transmission’s shift action run along the same attitude with a chunky grille and fake A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder wheels same lines. skidplates on the lower front and rear fas- engine provides a healthy 208 horsepower AMG-design body kit The turbocharged engine, however, is cias of the all-wheel-drive version. Clearly, and 258 lb-ft of torque when burning pre- Perforated front-brake discs eager and punchy, a pleasant complement the GLA is sleeker than a typical SUV, too, mium unleaded gasoline. This is sent to the Painted front-brake calipers to the GLA’s nimble handling. Some driv- especially in comparison to the new boxy front wheels in standard form (FWD), or Black interior headliner ers might not like the noticeable way the Mercedes-Benz GLB. all four with the 4Matic system (AWD), Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Premium engine’s fuel-saving stop/start feature kicks Crossover SUV? High-riding hatch- through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic Package back in, but they can easily turn it off if back? Whatever it is, it’s arguably easy on transmission. Steering-wheel-mounted shift Satellite radio w/free 6-month trial period they can’t get used to it. the eye. The GLA is also unmistakably a paddles give the driver manual control over Passive keyless entry system Even with the best of intentions, there Mercedes-Benz, with the prestige that the transmission. Hands-free power liftgate are times when your concentration wavers. accompanies the name. In performance terms, the sprint from Heated front seats Or you just might not notice something. Despite the GLA’s status as an “entry- standstill to 60 mph takes 7.2 seconds, or Blind-spot-monitoring system

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 17 TICKET WINDOW

18 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com FOOD REVIEW By RICHARD POLLAK Shabu Shabu: A boiling pot of soup bliss

begins with a Hot Pot full of freshly cut The Chicken, Green Mussels and Veggies and Tofu to cultivate the broth. Berkshire Pork come in three sizes. You There are a choice of 5 dipping Sauces to can add an additional Vegetarian platter accompany the process as well as Rice. with one of their three Noodles (Udon, The Sesame Peanut Goma, Citrus Ramen or Maloney). With so many com- Ponzu, Garlic Teriyaki, Rayu Oil and ponents to this meal everything goes into Ichimi Pepper condiments are both tradi- the pool and with expert guidance, add the By Richard Pollak tional yet experimental to the taste and remaining veggies to the Hot Pot of Soup The Traveling Gourmet range from smooth to robust to hot as hell! to complete the ultimate bowl of bliss. [email protected]

Shabu Shabu is a totally unique dining Extremely thin sliced Meats make for extremely fast cooking experience...one that I have never encoun- tered before. I was actually mesmerized by The protein is the start but certainly not what was in front of me. a solo act as Veggies play an important role Two giant hot pots of boiling bliss in the flavoring. preparing to be invaded by the freshest ingredients. A compliment of dipping sauces awaited along with the thinnest slices of prime protein on the planet.

Kimberly guided us through the Yoshi Shabu Shabu After mastering the art of the Hot Pot the soup is ready process

When dining at Yoshi Shabu Shabu, one And the hardest decion of all is dessert of their token staff members will expertly with a choice of a hard decision of Nom guide you through the preparation and Nom Ice Cream Bars with flavors ranging cooking process. Once the hot pot is pre- Rice topped with protein along with vegetables from Coffee Oreo to Fruity Pebbles for the pared, from one of their six signature base kids. broths, its time to enjoy. You can choose from a traditional Kombu Seaweed, very spicy Capsaicin, soybean paste Miso, Tsuyu seasoned Soy Sauce, Tonkotsu is a rich and creamy pork broth and Sukiyaki which is sweet and savory with an Egg (which was expertly held back to add a rich glow to the final bowl of noodle soup.) Traditional Japanese starters are elevated at Yoshi Shabu Shabu

A wide variety of Starters from the familiar Gyoza Dumplings, Edamame, Green Beans and a House Salad compete with a very unique Seaweed Salad or Gyudon Beef Ribeye, Karaage Chicken and Oyakodon Chicken which comes on top of a bowl of Rice or Noodles. Yoshi Shabu Shabu also offers Ramune Japanese Soda available in three flavors; Original, Melon and Strawberry. Japanese The Seafood is fresh and prepares quickly in the Hot Pot children love the challenge of popping the top of the bottle to the Soda. A task that I didn't accomplish on my own The Seafood is fresh and prepares quick- After the Starters, the main experience ly in the pot. A beautiful presentation of Shrimp, Scallops and Salmon are all ready to dive into the pool. If you are a master of Chopsticks they are available or you can simply plunge these sea morsels or use the custom scoop. Do not over cook the pro- teins. The New York Strip, Prime Beef Ribeye, Choice Ribeye come in seven sizes from a small with four pieces to Godzilla with 36 slices. The Wagyu Beef Ribeye is the most marbled and flavorfull on the menu. It's the The meal begins with an overflowing bowlof fresh cut veg- art of the quick dip that is so extreme! gies and Tofu

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 23 | January 29, 2021 - February 4, 2021 19 20 January 29, 2020 - February 4, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 23 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com