Posted at 8:00 a.m.
The last will be first
The Colorado Avalanche took six years to win the Stanley Cup after finishing last. Have other teams achieved the feat in less time?
Dany Theriault
Response from Alexander Pratt:
Yes. Since the 1967 expansion, four teams have done it in five years or less: Pittsburgh Penguins (2004/2009), Carolina Hurricanes (2003/2006), Tampa Bay Lightning (1999/2004) and, of course, the Quebec Nordiques (1991), who won the Cup five years later in Colorado.
Who does what ?
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Corey Schueneman in the penalty box next to the statisticians watching the game
How many NHL statisticians are there at each game and what are their roles?
John Root
Response from Katherine Harvey-Pinard:
According to Bell Center Minor Officials Supervisor Keith Wilisky, there are a total of 17 minor officials in each game. There is an official scorer, who notably records the points on the game sheet, the game timekeeper, who records the time from the start to the end of the game, and the penalty timekeeper. There is also a commercial break coordinator, four statisticians and two match action analysts (event analysts). Also included is a video goal judge and five arena technical coordinators, who are the main contacts for the teams and broadcasters for all operations surrounding the game. Add to this an independent concussion observer, responsible for detecting possible signs and symptoms associated with concussions.
The run on a strikeout
PHOTO JON DURR, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays runs for first base after being struck out.
On the third strike, when the catcher drops the ball, why can the batter run to first base only if it’s the third out? Why not on the first or second withdrawal?
Ruth Roy
Response from Nicholas Richard:
This rule is indeed one of the most controversial rules and its origins are difficult to establish. What we do know is that it is almost as old as the game, and that according to many, this regulation is still here for good. According to Rule 5.05(a)(2), the batter becomes a runner when the third strike is not caught or overpowered by the pitcher, first base is unoccupied, or first base is occupied with two outs. The Atlantic League had tried to transpose this regulation on the first and second takes, in 2019, but it was not a great success. According to some players, this way of getting to first base is a little heartbreaking. According to John Thorn, MLB’s official historian, this rule has been in effect since the 1790s because managers thought three-strike outs were “boring.” So, with this settlement, the game was still alive.
Service ball
PHOTO ALBERTO PEZZALI, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Rafael Nadal serving
In tennis, what criteria does the player use to decide which ball to keep when serving?
Raina Levesque
Response from Nicholas Richard:
When players are handed balls by ball hunters before a serve, they observe two things before deciding which one they will use. First, which ball is the hardest and most firm, therefore the least worn. The harder the ball, the faster the serve. Then, they will also determine which is the smoothest, because the more the hair of the balls is raised, the more the air and the wind will reduce the speed of the ball in the service.
NHL drafted players
PHOTO FROM NHL WEBSITE
The first three players selected in the 2018 draft: Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres), Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Montreal Canadiens)
How many top-5 draft players in the past 15 years are currently playing in the NHL?
Jean-Guy Desrochers, Dorval
Response from Alexander Pratt:
The batting average is excellent. For 15 years, only 2 players drafted among the top 5 have not yet reached the National League. This is Jake Sanderson (5e in 2020) and Luke Hughes (4e in 2021). Two others didn’t play in the NHL last season (Nail Yakupov and Griffin Reinhart), while Michael Dal Colle only played one game.
The Rocket, a power?
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The Laval Rocket reached the American League East final last June.
Do you think the Laval Rocket will become the next power in the American League next year?
NoRo
Response from Richard Labbé:
Dear Mr. NoRo, it should be understood that the concept of “power” does not really apply to the structure of the American League. Of course, clubs can be good for a few seasons, but the AHL is by definition a development league: players come and go every season, and it’s quite difficult to keep winning when you lose so many elements. The Rocket will have to replace several players next season, including captain Xavier Ouellet.