Finding a “hot goalie” is one of the oldest mantras in hockey, but Minnesota’s Kent Patterson will be a key to the second part of the league season. Alex Kangas, who was the starter, will probably receive playing time from Lucia but a Gophers source said he believes Patterson will continue as the regular goalie.
The source said freshman defenseman Mark Alt “is going to be a very good player” and will play in the NHL.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported earlier this week that Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and the Cardinals have started talks regarding a contract extension that would pay him $40 to 60 million. The All-Pro wide receiver’s present contract expires after next season. https://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6005077
Fitzgerald’s father, Larry Sr., who is well known around town for sportswriting and commentary, is proud of his son who after playing with a Cardinals Super Bowl team in 2009 was part of a 5-11 club last season. “I think the 2010 season was the toughest year of Larry’s career,” Fitzgerald wrote in an email to Sports Headliners. “…He’s helped change the culture of one of the NFL’s original franchises…he’s the face of the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals had four quarterbacks play in 2010, but he proved he’s one of the top players in the NFL again (with) 90 receptions, 1,137 yards, six touchdowns-facing double coverage and he blocks like a tight end in the running game. He’s only 27 years old (and) he is a winner. The youngest ever to (achieve) 600 career receptions and 8,000 yards.”
It was a year ago today that the Lynx acquired Lindsay Whalen along with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2010 WNBA Draft (Monica Wright) from Connecticut in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick (Tina Charles) and Renee Montgomery.
Although the Lynx had a disappointing 2010 record, 13-21, Whalen energized the fan base (average home attendance was 7,622, the best in years) and she produced on the court. Whalen finished second among WNBA point guards in scoring at 12.6 points per game. She was first in rebounds per game, 4.0, and third in assists per game, 5.6. She earned her third trip to the league All-Star game in 2010.
Two Minnesotans were announced as Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year winners on Monday. Bob Nielson won the Division II Coach of the Year award for leading the University of Minnesota Duluth to the school’s second national championship in three years last December. St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso won the Division III award after the Tommies earned their first conference championship in 20 years and compiled a 12-1 record.
St. Thomas senior Josh Ostrue is the 2010 winner of the Rimington Award as Division III football’s top offensive center. He also won the award in 2008. He’s the first St. Thomas football player — and first conference offensive lineman in 44 years — to be voted a three-time All-American.
A must read book for baseball fans is Jane Leavy’s “The Last Boy Mickey Mantle.” It is extraordinarily written and researched. Leavy, who also wrote an authoritative biography on Sandy Koufax, quotes baseball numbers whiz Bill James as saying Mantle at his peak years was superior to Willie Mays, “not a close or difficult decision.”