This Week In Cougar Athletics

Home Canada West EventsWomen’s Hockey – vs. UBC, Friday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre
Women’s Soccer – vs. UNBC, Saturday (12:00 p.m.) at U of R Field
Women’s Hockey – vs. UBC, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre

Away Canada West EventsRams Football – at Calgary, Friday (6:00 p.m.) in Calgary, Alta.
Men’s Hockey – at UBC, Friday (7:00 p.m. PDT) in Vancouver, B.C.
Men’s Hockey – at UBC, Saturday (7:00 p.m. PDT) in Vancouver, B.C.

Away Non-Conference EventsMen’s Basketball – at Great Falls, Thursday (8:30 p.m.) in Great Falls, Mont.
Women’s Basketball – vs. Windsor, Friday (6:00 p.m.) in Edmonton, Alta.
Men’s Basketball – at Montana State-Northern, Friday (7:00 p.m.) in Havre, Mont.
Women’s Basketball – vs. St. Francis Xavier, Saturday (4:00 p.m.) in Edmonton, Alta.
Men’s Basketball – at Montana State-Northern, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) in Havre, Mont.
Women’s Basketball – vs. New Brunswick, Sunday (11:00 a.m.) in Edmonton, Alta.

Women’s Hockey (CIS Ranking: No. 5) – The Cougars (4-0-0) collected their second consecutive road sweep last weekend, defeating Lethbridge 5-1 on Friday and 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday. Winners of four consecutive games to open the Canada West schedule, the Cougars are off to their best start since 2003-04 when they began conference play with six straight victories. The Cougars host their Canada West home openers this Friday and Saturday against UBC with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. on both nights.

Women’s Soccer – The Cougars (4-5-2) traveled to the West Coast last weekend, losing to Victoria on Friday but earning a 2-2 draw with Fraser Valley on Saturday night. Needing a win to qualify for the postseason for the second consecutive year, the Cougars close out their Canada West schedule at home this Saturday against UNBC (1-7-2). Kickoff is scheduled for noon at the U of R Field.

Rams Football – Coming off a bye week, the Rams (2-4) return to action this Friday with a road game at No. 3-ranked and undefeated Calgary (6-0). It’s essentially a postseason game for the Rams, as they’ll be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss in either of the two remaining Canada West games. After this Friday’s game against the Dinos, the Rams will close out the conference schedule at home against Saskatchewan on Oct. 26.

Men’s Hockey – The Cougars improved to 2-2-0 on the season after 6-0 and 4-1 wins over Lethbridge at The Co-operators Centre. Fourth-year forward Carter Selinger had a goal and an assist in both victories and his four-point weekend earned him Canada West Third Star of the Week honours. The Cougars are back in action this weekend with their first road trip of the Canada West schedule, as they’ll travel to Vancouver to square off with UBC (0-2-0) on Friday and Saturday.

Women’s Basketball – The Cougars travel to Edmonton this weekend for three non-conference games at the Pandas Hoopfest. They’ll square off with Windsor in a rematch of last year’s CIS Championship final game on Friday before facing St. Francis Xavier on Saturday and New Brunswick on Sunday. The Cougars also have a non-conference tournament at the University of Manitoba (Oct. 25 to Oct. 27) before the Canada West schedule begins at home the following weekend.

Men’s Basketball – The Cougars took an 83-74 win over an alumni team last Thursday night at Miller Comprehensive HS. They’re back in action with three road games this week, as they’ll square off with the University of Great Falls on Thursday night before facing Montana State University-Northern on both Friday night and Saturday night. The team will face its first CIS opposition of the non-conference schedule the following weekend at a tournament hosted by Brock University.

Men’s Volleyball – The Cougars hosted the University of Regina Invitational from Friday through Sunday at the CKHS, compiling a 1-3 record and finishing in fourth place. The team will have next weekend off before beginning the Canada West schedule on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 at Brandon.

Women’s Volleyball – The Cougars finish the non-conference schedule with an 8-6 record after going 2-2 and finishing in fifth place at the McGill Invitational in Montreal. The team will now prepare for Canada West play, which will see the Cougars hit the road for two consecutive weekends beginning with a pair of matches at Brandon (Oct. 25 and Oct. 26).

Week 7 NFL Capsules

Week 7 of the NFL season will begin with an NFC West showdown as the Seattle Seahawks battle the Cardinals in the Arizona desert. For a complete look at who is playing who in Week 7 and get the inside dirt, click here

Moose Jaw Wants The Scotties

The Canada Cup of Curling, Western Canada Under 16 Challenge Cup, The Canada Russia Super Series, the 2014 Telus Cup Midget AAA National Championships and we could be adding to that already impressive list of sporting events that Moose Jaw has hosted since opening Mosaic Place.

We are officially putting in a bid for the 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, one of the largest curling events in the world. Mayor Deb Higgins and council agreed to provide a letter of support to the bid committee and a commitment of $100,000.

What seemed like a simple discussion about Moose Jaw possibly hosting thousands of curling fans in February of 2015, quickly turned into a hour long debate over the cash commitment that was required from the city in order for the bid to go forward. Some councillors argued that there is no money for something like this and infrastructure needs to be the priority.

"When we look at the budget and when we go into budget planning, one of the big issues is balance. Yes we have priorities but you also have to address quality of life and make sure that you are bringing forward attractions." argued the mayor. "There's no way that $100,000 will buy you the kind of adverting and promotion that the City of Moose Jaw will received over the nine days and the lead up too."

The Capital One Canada Cup of Curling in November 2012 broke attendance records when it was hosted in Moose Jaw and Councillor Patrick Boyle is hoping for similar exposure with this event, that many consider one of the top curling events to attend each year. Hotels are filled, restaurants are packed and millions of dollars are spent in the region.

"Thousands of people will attend this event... people who would not normally come to those centres or areas. I would argue that it's going to be close to $10 million or over $10 million when you add it up at the end of the day, in economic activity."

Talk about hosting the Scotties started last winter after TSN commentators at the Canada Cup of Curling mentioned how great the event had been going, saying they wouldn't be surprised if they'd be back in a couple years for something like the Scotties. Hours later, the chatter started in the stands and the beginnings of a bid committee was established.

With the city on board, the committee will now approach the province for their support and then present a bid package to the Canadian Curling Association by the end of the month. A host city could be announced by the end of the year but it could also be in January.

(DiscoverMooseJaw.com)

High Calibre Boxing Coming To Regina

Next week, October 22-26, 2013, Canada’s elite amateur boxers will assemble in Regina to compete at the 2014 Elite Men’s & Women’s Canadian Boxing Championships at the Orr Centre, hosted by the Regina Boxing Club.

Ninety-four elite men and 51 elite women, ages nineteen and older, will step into the boxing ring and go toe to toe in pursuit to win the Canadian championship. The competition draw is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22 at noon and the first session of preliminary bouts will begin at 6 p.m.


Iconic female boxer and the first Canadian female Olympian, Mary Spencer, who is a three-time world champion and PanAmerican champion, will defend her title as the Canadian champion in the 75 kg weight category. “I’ve been working to get better and stronger in my weight category for the Elite Championships,” said Spencer.


This competition will be historic for Boxing Canada because it will be the first time since 1984 male boxers will not be required to wear head gear in elite men’s competitions, and the new ten point scoring system will be used, replacing the computerized scoring system. “It’s going to be really fun to box for the first time without headgear. I’ll be boxing more experienced boxers so I am preparing to box more intelligently, but with all the same power and passion I show in all my bouts,” said senior male competitor, 75 kg Emanuel Elmaleh, from Quebec.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased from reginaboxingclub.ca. Limited quantities will be available to purchase at the Orr Centre from October 22-26, 2013. The competition will be web casted on gofightlive.tv. Viewers can watch the preliminary, quarter-final, semi-final, and final bouts for a $9.99 fee per session and a percentage of the proceeds will benefit the Regina Boxing Club. Access Communications subscribers will be able to view the bouts free on demand at a later date.

Boxing Canada recently launched boxingcanada.org, a website exclusively dedicated to tournaments, in an effort to provide the most accurate and instant national and international Canadian amateur boxing competition results and announcements.

Boxing Canada proudly recognizes Brandt Group of Companies as a major sponsor. Regina Boxing Club proudly recognizes Tourism Saskatchewan, Regina Hotel Association and SGI Canada as sponsors for the 2014 Men’s and Women’s Elite Canadian Championships.

Orr Thinks Cherry Belongs In HHOF

If it was up to Bobby Orr, Don Cherry would be in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The former star defenceman writes in his new autobiography, "Orr: My Story," that Cherry deserves to be inducted in the builder category for his standing in the sport that goes beyond the one NHL game he played and six seasons he spent as a head coach.

"His stature within the hockey community is significant and meaningful, and his importance is as great as that of any player, past or present," Orr writes as part of an entire chapter devoted to his former coach and longtime close friend.


Cherry coached Orr for parts of two seasons with the Boston Bruins, and the two have remained close over the years. The Hall of Famer knows it's impossible for him to remain objective about Cherry but sincerely believes the "Hockey Night in Canada" personality should get his due.

"Is there anyone bigger than Don Cherry in our game today? It's incredible what this man does," Orr said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "People have no idea. They think Don's this big rough, gruff guy. He's paid to give an opinion. Like him or dislike him, when he comes on, everybody, they listen."

Orr writes about Cherry's visit to his grandmother's house in Parry Sound, Ont., in which the woman in her 90s said to him: "I like you, because you're the only one who always tells the truth."

Beyond his eccentric wardrobe, Cherry's charitable contributions and his work with Canadian troops also went into Orr's argument for his Hall of Fame induction.

"You have no idea how many emails that I get from Don about send something to this person, that person," he said. "He does a lot of work that people don't know anything about, and he doesn't advertise it."

Cherry never won a Stanley Cup as a coach but did get a Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year. As a player he won a Memorial Cup with the Barrie Flyers in 1953 and four Calder Cups in the AHL.

But more than that, the case for the Hall of Fame has to do with Cherry's controversial yet respected voice when it comes to all things hockey. The attributes for those inducted as builders include "coaching, managerial or executive ability, where applicable, or any other significant off-ice skill or role, sportsmanship, character and their contribution to their organizations and to the game of hockey in general."

Orr believes Cherry fits that description.

"Given his long-standing and continuing contributions to the game, both home and abroad, he is more than worthy of nomination into the Hockey Hall of Fame," Orr writes. "And I can tell you, I will most definitely be in the audience that evening when this oversight is corrected."


(CTV)

NHL 3 Stars Of Week

NEW YORK -- San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl, the duo of Colorado Avalanche goaltenders Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere, and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Oct. 13.

FIRST STAR – TOMAS HERTL, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Hertl led the NHL with five goals in three games to help the Sharks (5-0-0) remain undefeated. He began the week by scoring four goals, capped by a highlight-reel, between-the-legs shot, in a 9 2 victory over the New York Rangers Oct. 8. At 19 years, 330 days, Hertl became the fourth-youngest player all-time to score four goals in an NHL game and youngest to do so since March 20, 1988, when Los Angeles' Jimmy Carson (19 years, 254 days) tallied four times in a 9-7 triumph over the Calgary Flames. The Praha, Czech Republic, native then logged 16:37 of ice-time and three shots on goal in a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 10 and closed the week by scoring his League-leading seventh goal of the season in a 3 2 victory over the Ottawa Senators Oct. 12. Hertl, the 17th overall pick by San Jose in the 2012 NHL Draft, leads all rookies and is tied for second in the League with 7-1—8 through five games this season.

SECOND STAR – SEMYON VARLAMOV/J-S GIGUERE, G, COLORADO AVALANCHE

The duo of Varlamov and Giguere combined for three wins as the Avalanche improved to 5-0-0, matching the franchise's best start to a season since the Quebec Nordiques won their opening five games in 1994-95. Varlamov posted two victories, a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage in recording a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Oct. 8 (27 saves) and a 5-1 triumph over his former team, the Washington Capitals, Oct. 12 (40 saves). The 25-year-old native of Samara, Russia, has allowed only one goal in each of his first four starts this season, turning away 128-of-132 shots for a .970 save percentage. Giguere was perfect in his first start of 2013-14, recording 39 saves in a 2-0 victory over the Boston Bruins Oct. 10. The shutout was the 37th of Giguere's career, which ranks seventh among active goaltenders and tied for 39th all-time.

THIRD STAR – SIDNEY CROSBY, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Crosby led the League with seven points (3-4—7) in three games as the Penguins won two out of three contests. He began the week by collecting two assists in a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Oct. 8 and another helper in a 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers Oct. 11. Crosby then recorded his eighth career hat trick – and first in the regular season since Dec. 2, 2010 – and assisted on the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation in a 5 4 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning Oct. 12. The 26-year-old Cole Harbour, N.S., native has posted at least one point in each of Pittsburgh's first five games (5-4—9), his longest point streak to begin a season since his rookie year, and leads the League with nine points.

Something To "Mitch" About

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!



If there was ever a better half hour of comedy than that episode of WKRP, I would like to know what it is.

Riders head coach Corey Chamblin put it the best on Saturday night as fans were filing out of Mosaic Stadium after watching their beloved Riders defeat the Edmonton Eskimos 14-9. Chamblin said an ugly win is better than a loss. Amen Corey Amen! Wins don't get you style points in this league or any other league. The bottom line is what team has more points on the scoreboard at the end of the day. You won't hear any apologies coming out of that dressing room as the team stays on-course to host a playoff game which could still be the Western final with a dramatic goal-line stand.

If Marc Cohon should present the Grey Cup to the Riders on that what hopefully will be pleasant Sunday night just a few weeks down the road at Mosaic, will we look back at that play as the season-defining play much like the Kerry Joseph Labour Day run in 07 or the Durant to Getzlaf TD pass in Calgary in 09? I would say yes!

I'm not the fashion police, but the white helmet-green jersey and white pants combo didn't work for me. While I can not confirm this, I am told the Riders went with the white helmets because of Edmonton's green helmets. This only begs the question as to what was done for so many years before the Riders had the white helmets. I digress.

I had no problems with Corey Chamblin gambling on 3rd down deep in Edmonton territory in the 4th quarter. A touchdown and its game over. The defence hadn't been allowing anything. Yes, a field goal makes it a one score game with the two point conversion, but a TD ends it. What I did have a problem with was the play call. Drew Willy has been stopped on 3rd and 1 too many times this season. It seems to me he is too high when he goes into the line. This play needs to be eradicated from the playbook or perhaps Darian Durant should stay in the game.

Mike McCullough always shines when he gets an opportunity. He was joking around after the game about the first play of the game where he made a knockdown on a play where if he doesn't get it, Hugh Charles does and its a touchdown.  Whenever he is called upon, number 45 somehow finds a way to get it done.

While there is no way he will win as you can give the award to Calgary's Jon Cornish right now, I wonder if those who vote for player awards will give the team award for top Canadian to Craig Butler. He certainly deserves it in my mind

I was told on the weekend Alex Hall will be on the Rider ballot for top defensive player. Technically that is the way its supposed to be and technically his 15 sacks and his play in Winnipeg will have to be considered when voting. Is that fair? Someone on the Rider D is going to get the shaft on that and its because of the league.

If I've said it once, I have said it a thousand times. Is there any better reality TV than sports? The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers proved that in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. You just can't write scripts for this stuff as David Ortiz sends a grand-slam into the Red Sox bullpen to pull his squad into a 5-all tie when it looked like they were dead in the water. Boston then wins it in the bottom of 9 to even the series at one heading back to Detroit.  It was just another in a long line of great baseball playoff moments and its one that for the Red Sox probably was a top 10 if not higher.

Are the Red Sox players hoping to land a gig on Duck Dynasty? Those beards are just downright nasty! Hockey players should be asking the Red Sox to do something original.

Will U of R Cougar ladies basketball coach (and devoted Red Sox fan) Dave Taylor take a page from his ball-team and grow a beard this season that can be trimmed off at the national championships if they win. CMON DAVE!!!!

The Denver Broncos did not completely demolish the Jacksonville Jaguars as many (including me) expected. In fact, Jacksonville was in the game for much of it and Peyton Manning didn't quarterback both teams. Its probably good for the NFL that didn't happen.

Jon Ryan can't buy a break. Last week. he gets publicized for getting blown up following a blocked field goal and yesterday, he has the chance to kick his first ever NFL field goal since kicker Steve Hauschka was hurt only to have the snap get botched and it ends up being a TD for the Tennessee Titans. Oy vay!!!

The New Orleans Saints approach in the final 3 minutes of their game against New England was atrocious. How many chances do you want to give Tom Brady? You have Drew Brees and you just basically stop playing the game thus giving Brady opportunity after opportunity. He's too good for that. That loss is all on Sean Payton.

10 years ago tonight, the world was introduced to Steve Bartman.

 

 

Would the Cubs have won the NLCS (they were five outs away) and gone on to win the World Series. Many believe they would have had that foul ball not drifted down the left field line. We'll never know. That play to this day is the one that hurts this blogger the most.  The wounds won't ever close on that one. I at least saw the Riders win the Grey Cup so while 09 hurt like hell it doesn't compare to the pain this sports fan felt on that night and the next when the Cubs  lost Game 7. The ESPN documentary "Catching Hell" on Bartman's night is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. I am convinced that if Wrigley Field had the modern amenities of many other stadiums like a jumbotron that he might not have gotten out of there. More people outside the ballpark knew who he was then those outside. He still hides to this day. I don't know if I can blame him for that.  He never has made a public statement. I wonder if he ever will.

 

 

The season is just two weeks old in the NHL and I don't like the looks of the Edmonton Oilers. Craig MacTavish needs to find a goalie and find a goalie now. Saturday night in Toronto was the last straw for Devan Dubnyk. He has been terrible all season long and while he didn't get some help from his defence on Saturday night. there were simply saves he should have and had to have made. Yes, the overtime goal in a 6-5 Toronto win was the direct result of a penalty at the other end of the ice, but the save still had to be made. In fact, he had to make the save to keep the game from going into overtime, but he made a dumb decision to play the puck instead of freezing it. There are a lot of good young goalies out there and the Oilers have some tools to play with. MacTavish needs to find one and find one soon or else methinks it will be a lonnnnnnng year in Edmonton.

 

PS: This goalie should not be named Bryzgalov!

 

Boston Leier has been a nice addition to the Regina Pats. Its early, but pre-season predictions of Moose Jaw, Regina and Brandon fighting it out for 3rd in the division may be indeed the truth.

 

I'm glad to see the Pats and Warriors didn't take long to renew their rivalry Saturday as there were many fights in the first period at Mosaic Place. I found it somewhat humourous that Jack Rodewald and Carter Hansen each scored in their first game against their old team as well---although Hansen's was just a little bigger.

 

If a league expects you to get information from them by going to a Twitter page or their website, that league needs to re-think its priorities. The same could go for some teams as well.

 

That's all I got. If you haven't stuffed yourself full of bird yet, do so today!