About Sports Columnist, Mike Ankoviak: Mike Ankoviak is a resident of Champlin, MN.  He was raised in Albert Lea, MN where his father, Bill Ankoviak, finished his career as a professional baseball player.  Along with his 5 brothers and sisters, Mike was brought up on a steady diet of baseball, golf, basketball, tennis, football, and mumbley peg.  He would spend his evenings scouring the paper for the latest sports box scores.  Today Mike's appetite for sports continues.  He has been a season ticket holder for most of our pro sports teams in the Twin Cities.  He has been a part owner of a race horse stabled at Canterbury Downs, and is an avid golfer and tennis player.  You may not agree with all of Mike's opinions but I think you will agree that his insight into the world of sports is always refreshing.  Send Mike an Email:  Mike@MnSeniorsOnline.com

5/24/13 - Spring Sports Update              

There’s been a lot of time to watch sports with all the rainy weather lately. But it comes at a great time with the NHL and NBA playoffs in full swing. The intensity is so high now compared to some of the meaningless games played in mid-season. And compared to watching the Twins, the intensity is off the charts!

In the NHL conference semi-finals the Penguins and Bruins in the East look to wrap up their series’ and advance to the East finals. Both have looked very good and should advance. In the West the Detroit Red Wings are giving a surprising thrashing to the mighty Blackhawks, and are just a game away from moving on to the West Finals. It’s hard to believe the team that pretty handily had the best regular season record, and then   knocked our Wild out of the first round are on the brink of elimination. And the LA Kings are up 3-2 over San Jose as they try to get back to the West Finals. I’ll pick the Penguins to win the Cup this year, and take on either Detroit or L.A. in what looks to be a tough match-up in the West for a berth in the Stanley Cup finals. The playoff games have been great and I look forward to the Wild making a strong run next year as the team grows in confidence and experience.

Speaking of the Twins, they are mired in a 9 game losing streak!! Damn, and I don’t think it’s going to get much better. They hung around .500 for about as long as the makeshift pitching staff was going to hold up. Oh well, as I’ve said before Target Field is still one of the best places to spend a summer afternoon or evening and did I mention the food??? It’s the best of all stadium venues I’ve ever been to. So don’t forget to check out the list of all the great concessions. I feel like I’ve plugged the food enough I should be a part-owner in a food kiosk there. But you have to have something to look forward to when your team threatens to lose near 100 games in a season again.

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=concessions

And finally, the Vikings made another big splash with the unveiling of what will be the first clear glass roofed venue in all of major sports. The drawings sure do look great and it will be fun to watch construction get under way following the upcoming and final season in the Dome. Less than 2 months to training camp!

Click Here for Past Blogs