Super Bowl LVIII | Patrick Mahomes, who else?

Super Bowl. Extension. Fourth try. A yard to cross, otherwise it is defeat. The ultimate suspense.

Every football player, no matter their age, no matter their talent, has dreamed of experiencing a moment like this. Except this time, it wasn’t just a fantasy. It was reality. Patrick Mahomes had to perform, otherwise his Kansas City Chiefs would lose against the San Francisco 49ers, after an epic duel lasting more than four hours.

It is when there is danger that the greatest champions stand out. Legends shine brightest under pressure. Mahomes took the game on his shoulders. We win with the best. We lose with the best. The Chiefs quarterback faked a throw. The 49ers bit. Mahomes then came out of the right side protection pocket, where a hole formed. He charged forward without hesitation. Gain of eight yards. First try. The Chiefs remained alive.

Then Mahomes Mahomized.

He became unstoppable.

Five consecutive successful passes. A 19-yard run. A delivery to Isiah Pacheco, for a short gain. The Niners’ defense, until then airtight, was decomposing before our eyes, like the poor soldiers burned by Daenerys’s dragons in Game Of Thrones. In the pay zone, Mahomes passed to Travis Kelce, to advance seven yards. Victory was only three strides away. A short pass to Kelce who scores, camera on Taylor Swift who celebrates, camera on Kelce who blows her a volley of kisses, camera on Taylor who whispers “I Love You”, camera on Kelce who pokes her heart with his fingers. The script wrote itself.

So predictable that Mahomes instead turned to a teammate that no one was watching. A player who had not scored a touchdown this season. A receiver who, before the Super Bowl, had only caught two passes in the entire series. Mecole Hardman. Touch. Victory. For a second year in a row, and a third time in five years, the Chiefs were crowned NFL champions.

This title will occupy a privileged place in Patrick Mahomes’ exceptional list of achievements. First, because he got it by a long shot, in overtime, in the context of a comeback. Also, because the opponent was tough – and frankly unlucky. Here, a punt that deflects on one foot before being fumbled. There, a conversion kick blocked. This small lost point will have made the difference between a victory for the 49ers in regulation time and the obligation to play one more (fatal) period.

Mahomes, unsurprisingly in the circumstances, was named the game’s MVP. It was already the third time he won this honor in his career. Who did so much in their first seven seasons? Person. Not even the man with the biggest mantle in America, Tom Brady.

When the latter was at his peak, we said to ourselves that we would never see such a dominant quarterback in history again. Or at least, in our lifetime. It was simply impossible. With his performance on Sunday, Mahomes reminded us that records are made to be broken. And that he is in a good position to catch up, or even overtake Brady.

The Canadian’s pet peeve

Two defeats in two days. Once again.

It became a bad trick for the Canadian. His record when he plays two matches in 24 hours this season? One victory, nine defeats. This is the worst performance in the National League, along with that of the Calgary Flames.

Isn’t that a bit normal, Mr. Columnist? After all, aren’t the Habs one of the worst teams in the league? Indeed. Except that doesn’t explain everything. This does not justify the immense gap between his average at rest (.571) and that without a day off (.100).

What is the problem ? The physical form ? Maybe. However, half of the teams perform better when they play a second match in 24 hours than when they benefit from at least one day of respite. This is particularly the case for the San Jose Sharks, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Ottawa Senators, who no one will confuse with the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s. Also, it’s not as if the Canadian is betting only on veterans who are out of breath. His team is the second youngest in the entire league.

And if it’s not fitness, what is it? Psychological fatigue? Inexperience? The preparation ? Management will have to find the weak point before the next season. Because if the Canadian had the same average without respite as at rest, he would be right in the heart of the playoff race today.

The NHL must send a strong message

I have often criticized the work of the barbarian protection committee – sorry, the disciplinary committee – of the NHL. Too many lenient sanctions. Too many inconsistent decisions. Too much kindness towards the aggressors.

When I saw Morgan Rielly’s dangerous and unnecessary double-check to Ridly Greig’s face on Saturday night, I feared another meaningless two-game penalty. Worse, a simple fine. This tells you how surprised I was to learn that the committee offered Rielly a meeting in person, which suggests he will face a long suspension.

For those who missed the attack, it happened with five seconds left in the game between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Greig, on a breakaway, scored a goal by shooting with all his strength a few feet from an empty net. Rielly then rushed towards him and deliberately struck him in the face with a stick in his hands.

Did Greig taunt the Leafs?

Of course. Afterwards, on the scale of provocation, a shot hit into an empty net is low on the mark. The Senators forward did not get down on all fours to blow the puck into the back of the net. He did not celebrate his goal by dancing floss in front of the opposing bench.

Rielly’s response was disproportionate. The Leafs veteran must learn to manage his frustration better than a 4-year-old who had three Skittles stolen. He deserves exemplary punishment. Now it’s up to the disciplinary committee to pleasantly surprise us.