The Chiefs deserved to win

This Super Bowl reminded me of the series Lost.

An excellent suspense, marred by a disappointing ending.

With three minutes to play, it was tied, 35-35. The best player in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes, was in charge of a grandiose comeback. Epic. Historical, even. Only one team had previously overcome a 10-point Super Bowl halftime deficit. And Mahomes was accomplishing the feat on a peg as solid as the Alberta Premier’s handshake to Justin Trudeau.

The Eagles chasers put the pressure on. Mahomes came out of the protective pocket, and found himself in front of a wide open field. What to do with a damaged ankle? He darkened. Five yards. Ten yards. Twenty yards. At the 26^e rod, he let himself fall. We all held our breath. Is it correct? Mahomes himself seemed surprised at his initiative. He got up, winced slightly, then resumed his position, just 17 yards from goal.

The Chiefs were in a great position. But two games later, they were almost at the same point. Only two yards closer to the goal. Big 3^e try and 8. Mahomes aimed for his receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Too high. Too far. The Chiefs were going to have to attempt a field goal, with almost two minutes to play. Not ideal.

Oh. Wait. What’s lying on the ground? A glove ? A shoe ? A mouth guard?

No. A tissue. Penalty.

Against who ? For what ?

Against James Bradberry, of the Eagles. For retaining Smith-Schuster. On the resumption, we see Bradberry indeed touching the back of his opponent. Not violently. Slowly. Like when I take a family photo with my father or my mother. The type of gesture that referees tolerate in the series.

Never, by the way, would I have called that foul in the final moments of a Super Bowl. But the officials decided otherwise.

“It was a clear case of a sweater being grabbed that harmed the [receveur]. There was no debate,” said chief umpire Carl Cheffers. Bradberry admitted to holding the Smith-Schuster jersey. “I was hoping they would let the gesture pass,” he said.

The consequence was a first try at the Chiefs. The latter approached within a yard of the goals, then they let the time pass, until an easy placement, with a few seconds to play. The Eagles did not have time to come back.

A controversial, frustrating end, which casts a shadow over the spectacular comeback of the Chiefs. That’s a shame. Because even without the penalty, the Chiefs were in a position to make a successful placement, and win the game.

This title, they fully deserve it.

The Canadian and the lottery

Closer to home, the Canadian won two great victories this weekend at the Bell Centre. The players were happy. Martin St-Louis was satisfied. Supporters, too.

Or rather, “some” partisans were satisfied. Because there are other fans, increasingly heavy, who growl after each goal of the Habs. Their argument? The same as last winter. When the Canadiens win, they reduce their chances of winning the draft lottery. So, this time, to draft Connor Bedard.

It is a fact. But then, what exactly do you expect from the players?

That Alex Belzile voluntarily misses his first career goal to please habs3456? That Rafaël Harvey-Pinard stops giving his all in front of family and friends? That Samuel Montembeault covers his angles badly, so that the Habs increase their chances of winning the lottery by 1%?

Let’s see. Players won’t ease up. Seven players from the current formation will have to negotiate a new contract next summer. They must produce. NOW. Veterans who wish to be traded to a top club? They too must distinguish themselves now. Not to mention the players who, like Samuel Montembeault, are trying to improve their lot within the organization.

Could the management weaken the formation to increase its chances of drafting Connor Bedard?

Theoretically, yes. But I remind you that Tyler Toffoli, Artturi Lehkonen, Ben Chiarot and Brett Kulak are gone. Shea Weber is no longer playing. Neither is Carey Price. The club started the season with two number two goaltenders, four rookie defensemen, and are currently without Cole Caufield, Kaiden Guhle, Juraj Slafkovsky, Brendan Gallagher and Jake Evans.

That’s pretty much the definition of a weak club…

For the Canadiens to have a chance to draft Connor Bedard, he will need to finish 31^e (13.5%) or 32^e (25.5%). It will not arrive. To hit rock bottom, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Alex DeBrincat (41 goals last year) and Kirby Dach (3^e total picks in 2019) vs. picks. Would you have accepted that the Canadian exchanges Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki in order to have a chance in four, or in eight, of drafting Bedard?

The Canadian did not choose this path. So here he is in a pack of clubs that have between a 5% and 8.5% chance of picking first place. Made there, whether the Habs win or lose, the needle will move little.

So if you’re one of those CH supporters who rejoices after every defeat, know that you can enjoy every victory just as much – without guilt.