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Is this guy for real?
Posted January 1st, 2010 at 3:34 p.m.
"From Blaine, Minnesota...David Backes!" That's how the introductions of the athletes selected to the U.S. Men's Hockey team began this afternoon. The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver will feature several Minnesta athletes, 5 of whom will be on the U.S. Men's Hockey team. The most notable local is David Backes, RW of the St. Louis Blues and a former Spring Lake Park Panther, who had his H.S. jersey retired in a ceremony three years ago. He shared the vast majority of the schools' records, along with Addison DeBoer.
Olympic Athlete. How cool is that? Backes' career has taken a steep rise in the last four years, making the transition from Mankato State to the AHL and quickly to the NHL in December of 2006, recording an assist on his first NHL shift, then scoring his first NHL goal in the following game.
Backes' career continued on the rise in his 3rd NHL season when he recorded 31 goals and 23 assists while playing in all 82 games, a test to his durability in the 2008-2009 season. He also racked up a whopping 165 penalty minutes, a testament to his toughness. At the midway point of this season, Backes' has recorded 9 goals and 12 assists, and has earned his spot on an All-Star team of Americans in search of gold in Vancouver next month.
We wish David the best of luck and take pride, as his family does, in calling him our own. There is no doubt he will continue to make us proud. Yet another reason for me to shout, "U.S.A.!" I'm always looking for one...
Look out, Canadia!
Posted November 8th, 2009 at 1:34 a.m.
When we were kids we were taught to share, that everyone was equal and that we shouldn't touch the stove. We teach our kids the same things today, although when it comes to sports, the rules are a little different. Sometimes we can share. Soccer does it all the time, we've got a third line in the standings that sometimes reaches double digits...the dreaded tie.
There isn't much sharing in football. The Cougars and Bengals found a way to share, although neither one was probably all that willing. Centennial won it's first Northwest Suburban title this season, beating Blaine for the first time. Both teams finished 7-1 in conference and shared the title. They drew the top two seeds in the section and were able to settle, or unsettle, the tie.
Centennial beat Blaine 19-14 in one of the best games of the season, and from NMTV's perspective, the game of the year thus far. The Bengals took the lead with under 4 minutes to play before the Cougars drove down the field and put their season in the hands of Sr. QB Chris Anderson, who completed a 4th and 15 pass to Brian Sarvela for the game-winning 25-yard TD with :50 left. Even after that, the Bengals had a shot at the end zone that fell incomplete as the clock expired.
Both teams were deserving of the conference title and both teams are deserving of a trip to state, but we can't have it all now can we? It didn't take long for the two schools located in the Blaine city limits to form a heated rivalry and frankly it was long overdue. I love it. It's fun and it makes great television.
I would like to congratulate the Bengals and Cougars on great seasons and I have a feeling deep down, the Bengals would like to see Centennial have success at the State Tournament, rivals or not. We wish the Cougars good luck at State, their first trip since 2004 when they lost to Woodbury in the Qtr-Final round. Centennial's best finish was in 1984 when they finished 2nd.
The Cougars Volleyball team made it an All-Centennial weekend with a Saturday night win over the defending Section 5AAA Champions Osseo Orioles, three sets to none.
Good luck Cougars. Make us proud, but no more sharing.
Posted July 31st, 2009 at 4:49 p.m.
I've been made aware that this page has been receiving a plethora of hits, and for quite some time. This leads me to believe that people are under the assumption that I would have posted something more recent than November 6th, 2008. One of these days he's got to have something new, right? Or maybe we've got some keywords that pop up in your search, only to leave you disappointed that this is the page you've come to. Let's face it, no one takes a near-8-month haitus from blogging and expects to still be getting viewed. There must be some explanation. Maybe you could tell me. kkipp@mtn.org
Posted November 6th, 2008 at 10:59 p.m.
Eden Prairie, 39-1. The important number for Bengal fans is the "1", representing the loss column. After over two years of total domination of Class AAAAA football in Minnesota, the team that finally put an end to the Eden Prairie Eagles insane win streak is none other than our hometown Bengals of Blaine. I knew it was possible, but to be honest with you, I didn't fully expect it.
To admit this, I fully realize that I put myself out there to be criticized by Bengal fans. But surely I can't be alone in the assumption that Eden Prairie was the team to beat in the tournament, as they are year after year. I thought unbeaten Wayzata would beat them, but they won't get the chance to play them. Blaine beat Eden Prairie. They didn't buy into the the streak or the mystique or the media and the assumptions of most high school football fans. They flat out beat 'em.
In the equation, 1 = Blaine. Up next, Cretin-Derham Hall on Friday night at the Dome. We'll be there. You should be too.
Posted November 4th, 2008 at 4:55 p.m.
The question had been raised. Who is the better quarterback, Blair Townsend of Coon Rapids or James Peterson of Blaine? That question ended up as a sidenote to the Section 7AAAAA Championship on Halloween night. I had a good feeling that we would get the answer and I was right about who it was.
The Bengals won the game 24-21 in front of a packed house, costumed and all. The Bengals were led by their quarterback, the aforementioned James Peterson, who ran for 114 yards on 22 carries in addition to passing for 210 yards and another touchdown. That would account for all 3 of the Bengals touchdowns, including the game-winner. When it comes down to the clutch, your leader makes the big plays. Now don't get me wrong, they are both phenomenal athletes and legitimately talented quarterbacks, but it's been a long time since I've seen a player like Peterson. A player who can put a team on his shoulders, or often times several players from the opposing team, and carry them into the end zone, willing his team to victory.
He did it in last year's playoffs at Coon Rapids, scoring the game winner against the Cardinals. He did it the previous week against Andover in the section semi-final. And he made sure history repeated itself on the Bengals home field last friday night. And now we can file that question away into the answered pile and move on to the next question: Can anyone stop Eden Prairie?
The Bengals will go up against the undefeated, two-time defending state champion Eagles of Eden Prairie. They haven't lost in about 3 years and frankly, that's a long time. The Benglas are hoping that they're overdue for a loss, but they will need some help, which they hope to get from their diehard fans and a lot of noise.
The State 5-A Qtr-Final game will be played at Griffin Stadium in St. Paul on Thursday, November 6th at 7 p.m., and you might just hear the phrase uttered, "we gotta have more cowbell!"
Posted October 30th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I like when our teams play each other. I really like it when all 3 of our volleyball teams play in the same night at the same place. It's a beautiful thing. The only downside to this equation was that 2 of our teams had their seasons end at Blaine High School last night during the Section 5AAA Semi-Finals.
The #3 seed Centennial Cougars lost to the #2 seed Osseo Orioles in 4 sets and the #5 seed Spring Lake Park Panthers lost to the #1 seed Blaine Bengals in 3 sets. There was a lot of good volleyball last night and the good part is, there's still a lot of good volleyball left to be played for one of them.
The Bengals continue on their quest to return to the State Tournament and do more damage than they did last year when they won the Consolation Trophy. The top 4 teams in the tournament get seeded and the other 4 teams get a random draw. It would be good to avoid #1 Shakopee, who defeated Andover in last year's Championship game. But they're not there yet. Osseo will be playing Blaine at Coon Rapids H.S. on Saturday night at 7 pm for the Section 5AAA Championship. We'll be there and so should you. You can watch this match on North Metro TV and on ourwebsite as well, with highlights on Sports Den.
All 3 of our teams had great seasons, with a combined 61-24 record to go along with the North Suburban and Northwest Suburban Conference Championships. Now those are some cats with claws. Did I just say that? That was lame. How about...our volleyball teams are really, really good. Also lame, but less corny and it's straight to the point, like rally point. And that's what I love about volleyball.
Posted October 30th, 2008 at 9:10 a.m.
Coon Rapids at Blaine football Friday night. Blaine v. Osseo volleyball Saturday night at Coon Rapids.
If you weren't planning on attending these events, change your plans. And be sure to look for the ostrich running a camera down by the field on Friday night.
There has been some debate on talk radio and on other tv stations as to who the best quarterback in the conferece is, James Peterson or Blair Townsend? We're about to find out the answer to this question and many others on All Hallow's Eve.
The winner goes to state to face Eden Prairie, barring the extraordinary. An unfortunate first round opponent, but either team will be happy to walk away Section Champs, with bragging rights alongside the hardware.
The Bengals defense has created 12 turnovers in the last 2 games and the Coon Rapids offense has run over just about everybody in its path this season. The regular season match-up was won by Blaine as a result of the Cardinals turning the ball over in key situations. If the Cardinals hang on to the pigskin, they might have to be the favorite. But going by history, home field advantage and that "Stimey-ing" Blaine D, I would have to pick the Bengals in another close thriller. You can watch the game and the highlights online next week.
One thing's for sure: We'll see more than one bag of tricks tomorrow night.
Posted October 8th, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.
We have a mighty fine crew. Most people probably don't realize what really goes into a sports production on North Metro TV. In order to cover a game with our production truck, we need between 7 to 13 people to do the work required, usually 10 for most shoots. Each person has their role for the given production, whether it be operating camera, graphics, replay, audio, commentating the game or directing the production. We typically cover 3 or 4 games every week. We pull up to the school with the truck, unload all the gear, setup all the cameras, audio, announcers table, and all of the appropriate cabling. Then when the game is over, we tear it all down and pack it up again, leaving nothing but footprints, memories and potentially some gaffe tape.
I often get a lot of the credit when things go well and I get to hear the complaints when things don't go well, and that comes with the job. But outside of myself and the announcers, I'm guessing viewers know very little about our humble television hamsters that keep the North Metro TV Sports wheel spinning. Here is your opportunity to learn a little more about our crew.
Posted October 6th, 2008 at 1:17 p.m.
Spring Lake Park and Centennial both had their homecoming game's spoiled by the road team this week. The Panthers lost to Totino-Grace 33-0 after stopping the Eagles on their opening possession, the Panthers drove down to the Eagles 2 yard-line before throwing an interception in the end zone. The game went downhill for the Panthers after that.
The Cougars nearly upset the defending Northwest Suburban Conference Champion Osseo Orioles. After swapping TDs in the 1st and 4th quarters, it all came down to a blocked extra point with 4:10 left in the game. Osseo hung on to beat the Cougars 21-20.
The Bengals kept the good times rolling, defeating Maple Grove by a score of 23-6. The defense continues to shine and senior quarterback James Peterson continues to rack up Sports Den Athlete of the Week Awards. Peterson rushed for 2 touchdowns and threw for another as he claims his 5th A.O.W. Award in the last 6 weeks. Ridiculous.
We continue live television mania on Friday night as the Centennial Cougars host Maple Grove. Live coverage begins at 6:50 pm. The last four games have been live on North Metro TV and we wrap up the regular season live again at Spring Lake Park as they host the Red Knights of Benilde-St. Margaret's. Sports Den will be live from Panther Stadium at 6 pm and the live game coverage will begin at 6:50 pm. That will definitely be worth tuning in to watch.
Posted September 24th, 2008 at 5:35 p.m.
Centennial rebounded from an 0-3 start with a 35-21 victory over the Elks of Elk River on Friday, September 19th. All 21 points scored by the Elks were within the last 15:30 of the game. Centennial's defense was stellar for the vast majority of the game and the offensive line played it's best game of the year by far, allowing Nick Torres to run for 265 yards on 19 carries and 3 touchdowns. That's an average of 13.9 yards a carry and the 265 yards was a school record for a single game. The old record was held by Scott Anderson who ran for 235 yards against Cambridge in 1984.
The Panthers bounced back from their 0-2 start by shutting out their following two opponents, crushing Fridley 23-0, and Columbia Heights 40-0. It looks like the Panthers are back on track after an uncharacteristic beginning to their season. Strong defense, a punishing ground game and controlling the clock has taken them far in the past. They'll host Totino-Grace on homecoming night on Friday, October 3rd. That game will be live on North Metro TV and online as well.
The Bengals took a 7-0 lead into the 4th quarter against Champlin Park before giving up 21 points in the 4th quarter. It all went downhill for the Bengals when Tobi Saporu went down with a knee injury late in the 3rd quarter. Saporu was the Bengals leading tackler and go-to guy when the offense needed a big play. He had an MRI earlier this week and his status will become clear fairly soon. He will at least miss the next game on Friday night vs. Anoka. It will be homecoming for the Bengals and they will be honoring the 1988 State Championship Team. You can catch this game on North Metro TV and online as well.
Posted September 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 p.m.
I miss the days of covering games on both Thursday and Friday nights to start the football season. This is one of the very few years we haven't gotten the opportunity to cover multiple games to start the year. We would often hit the road to the likes of Stillwater, Edina, Cooper, Elk River or Monticello to get in that extra game.
This year all of our teams opened up their seasons on Thursday night and we covered Osseo at Blaine. Last year Osseo surprised Blaine, and many others, by not only defeating them in the opener, but also by finishing at the top of the Northwest Suburban Conference. Blaine started off on the right foot this year by beating Osseo 14-7, taking the lead in the 4th quarter on a 10-yd TD pass from James Peterson to Tobi Saporu late in the game. The Bengals defense held and they once again return to their winning ways after a disappointing 3-7 record last season.
Anoka defeated Centennial 19-14 and Rogers pulled off an upset, defeating Spring Lake Park 29-7. Click here to see all the football scores from the North Suburban and Northwest Suburban Conferences.
The next games for our teams will be on Friday, September 5th; Irondale at Spring Lake Park and Blaine at Centennial. Of course the Blaine-Centennial game will be on North Metro TV and is one of our biggest games of the year. Unfortunately I won't be able to be there. Fortunately I will be in Los Angeles for a week, which is the good side of that equation. We'll see you next week. Be sure to enjoy another great night of football.
Posted July 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 a.m.
Hey, check it out. This is my first blog. I've finally taken the advice of one of Mr. "Dinzmore's" fans. I've got my own blog now. Attention to the person reading this: You're the guy. Every blog has to have at least one reader. You're it. Congratulations, try not to get too excited, there may be more reading ahead.
Maybe not. That's about all I've got for now. Lucky you.
Send him an email.
Is this guy for real?
