Monthly Archives: November 2014

The NHL and Goals Scored

Wild

I’m experiencing a resurgence in NHL hockey.  This can be attributed to 3 (4) things:

  1. The Wild made huge news with the signing of Parise and Suter last season – and then the season was shortened.
  2. The Wild signed Thomas Vanek – s favorite of mine when he won the National Championship with the Gophers.
  3. My brother is wild about hockey.
  4. I’m losing interest in the NFL

So, now that the Wild have those three studs, the younger skaters and a full season – I’m all in.  I’ve purchased the NHL package and am watching more hockey in these first few weeks than I’ve watched since the Stars fought the Hawks for playoff wins.

And I love stats.  So, here is the first shot:

How many goals does a team need to score in order to win more than 50% of their games?  Based on the 2013 season?  Four.

Winning Score Games Won Ratio Winning Ratio
1 34 2.8% 2.8%
2 183 14.9% 17.6%
3 342 27.8% 45.4%
4 339 27.6% 73.0%
5 214 17.4% 90.4%
6 86 7.0% 97.4%
7 27 2.2% 99.6%
8 3 0.2% 99.8%
9 2 0.2% 100.0%

Adrian Peterson – Should He Play

Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson, a  running back for the Minnesota Vikings has been inactive and suspended for much of the season after reports surfaced that he ‘switched’ his child too the point of welts, open wounds and bruises.  Adrian lives in Texas where such discipline  is legal as long as the child is not in danger.  That being said, a grand jury indicted him on felony child abuse charges.

Today Peterson pleaded no-contest to misdemeanor charges which will let him off with no jail time and a minimal fine.   This result, while not surprising, is sure to upset a number of fans and child advocates.

My take- Adrian Peterson was disciplining his child in a way and manner consistent with a parent’s right.  That said, the parenting technique of switching or even spanking, is an old one with significant studies showing that such techniques are counter productive.  Peterson was raised in an environment where such disciplining techniques were, and remain, common.

Adrian Peterson is guilty of ignorance, not child abuse.

Now, what do the Vikings do?  My hope is that they partner with Peterson and local and national child advocate s and launch a parenting awareness campaign.  If they can use AP’s profile in the hopes of educating people on the proper use of discipline, the conditions surrounding the unfortunate events can be transformed into a positive.

Election Night

Election Night

With Arkansas now in, the republicans need 10 more wins and stand and need net +4 to win the senate.

——

Early results are following expectations.

Kentucky to McConnell and the republicans sweep South Carolina.  That’s 3.

As a side point – South Carolina just elected the first black senator from the South and just the 5th ever.  Further, they elected a Indian-American woman as governor.

Battle For the Senate -2014 Election Tracker

Republican vs Democrat

Tuesday is a big day – the control of the Senate will be decided as 36 Senate seats are up for election.  For fun I’ve been watching the polling and have been keeping track of the races.  My spreadsheet is below and shows the races not up for election and the ones I’ve called:

 

Contest Republican Democrat
Not 2014 Election 30 34
Kansas
Georgia
Iowa
North Carolina
Alaska
Colorado 1
Louisiana 1
New Hampshire 1
Arkansas 1
Minnesota 1
Kentucky 1
West Virginia 1
Michigan 1
Virginia 1
New Mexico 1
South Dakota 1
Mississippi 1
Illinois 1
Oregon 1
South Carolina 1
Maine 1
Tennessee 1
Deleware 1
Montana 1
South Carolina 1
New Jersey 1
Nebraska 1
Idaho 1
Massachhusetts 1
Hawaii 1
Rhode Island 1
Texas 1
Oklahoma 1
Oklahoma 1
Wyoming 1
Alabama 1
Total Seats 49 46

Going into the election I have Republicans needing 2 to win and Democrats needing 4.  The races in play are listed above.

Stay tuned for election night results.