To say that this past year was an emotional roller coaster for sports fans would be a huge understatement.
We saw the passing of sporting legends in Gordie Howe, Muhammed Ali and Arnold Palmer, and those taken from us to soon in Jose Fernandez and Bryan Clauson.
On the other hand, we also had some amazing team performances, from the Saskatchewan Rush capturing the National Lacrosse League title to Leicester City’s improbable run to the English Premier League soccer title.
To me though, it’s the individual games and events that stand out from this past year, as there were so many good ones.
As such, I have decided to wrap up the last 12 months the only way I know how, as I’ll countdown my 10 favourite games from this past year.
10) North Battleford Midget AA Beavers vs. Lumsden Cubs
While the provincial championship game against the Humboldt Dodgers proved to be a 12-0 romp, the contest just to get to the final at Beaver Lions Stadium was a memorable one.
After giving up two runs in the top of the seventh inning to fall behind 6-5, the Beavers loaded the bases in the bottom frame, with Andrew Hudec hitting an RBI single to tie the game up and Dylan Schaefer scoring the winning run on a wild pitch just a few pitches later.
9) Tennessee Volunteers vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Granted, the matchup between Michigan and Ohio State meant a lot more, and they’ll probably be some even better bowl games in the days ahead, but this was my favourite college football game of the year.
After taking a 21-7 lead early, the Aggies could only watch on as the visiting Volunteers roared back in the final two minutes to tie the game up at 35. They were able to rebound though and won the game by a 45-38 scored in double overtime.
8) Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC
The Major League Soccer final between Toronto and the Seattle Sounders may have been a bit of a bore, but the match to get there certainly wasn’t.
After the Impact won the first leg between the two sides by a score of 3-2 in Montreal, the second meeting in Toronto was an out-of-control goal fest, as Toronto scored two goals late to win the game 5-2 and advanced to the first ever championship game.
7) Villanova Wildcats vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Sure, LeBron James leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA title over the Golden Stats Warriors was a huge deal, but the NCAA March Madness final was a far better game.
The finish to this 77-74 game will be long remembered as well, as Kris Jenkins sunk a buzzer-beating three-point shot for the Wildcats just seconds after the Tar Heels tied the game.
6) Indianapolis 500
The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” has provided a number of classic moments over the last few years, and the 100thedition didn’t disappoint.
Following a number of twist and turns, American Alexander Rossi stunned everyone as he was able to stretch his fuel millage to win his first ever Indy Car race at the biggest event of the year.
5) Finland vs. Russia
While Canada struggled to a quarter-final finish at the World Juniors, the host Finns had a tournament to remember as they won their second title in the last three years.
Although the team was led by Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi, Kasperi Kapanen was the hero for the home team as he scored in overtime for a dramatic 4-3 win in Helsinki.
4) Ottawa Redblacks vs. Calgary Stampeders
To say that no one saw the result of this year’s Grey Cup coming would be a huge understatement.
In just the third ever overtime game in the event’s history, the 8-9-1 Redblacks got a huge performance from Henry Burris to stun the heavy favoured 15-2-1 Stampeders by a score of 39-33, as they won their first Grey Cup in only their third year of existence.
3) Knoxville Nationals
You’re probably wondering what the heck this event is, but the biggest dirt track sprint car race of the year was one you need to check the highlights of.
Jason Johnson, who at the time had only won two career World of Outlaws races, put in the drive of his career as he held off nine-time winner Donny Schatz in a dandy of a race that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
2) Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs. London Knights
I was lucky enough to be in Red Deer for this year’s Memorial Cup final and it will be a game I’ll never forget.
Despite a valiant effort from the underdog Huskies, Matthew Tkachuk would score the overtime winner for the Knights, as they picked up their second Memorial Cup and won their 17thstraight post-season game in a 3-2 thriller.
1) Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians
Let’s be honest. Game seven of the World Series was always going to win out here.
From the fact that the Indians fought back to the tie the game, mainly from an unlikely home run from Rajai Davis, to the Cubs finally winning 8-7 in extra innings for their first title since 1908, this one had it all.
Not only is it the best game that I watched in 2016, it’ll probably end up being the most action packed conclusion to a World Series that I’ll ever see.
