Fajardo's Status For Saturday Is Not Known

With just a couple of days to go before a game that could see the Riders finish first in the West for the first time since 2009, the team practiced Thursday without quarterback and most outstanding player nominee Cody Fajardo.

The team was inside at the AffinityPlex on Thursday after practicing outdoors at the University of Regina in a closed practice on Wednesday.  During that practice, Fajardo tweaked a muscle in his back and spent the day getting treatment on it.

Head Coach Craig Dickenson feels the injury is not a serious one, but his status for Saturday’s win and clinch first game against Edmonton.

“We’ll see how he feels.” Dickenson said. “It’s going to be his call if he plays or not.  If he feels fine, he’ll play. If he feels like he can’t, he won’t.”

Isaac Harker and Bryan Bennett shared first team reps at practice Thursday with Harker being the guy to start if Fajardo can’t go.

Saturday’s game starts at 2 on 620 CKRM with our pre-game show starting at 11.

Week 9 NFL Capsules

Richard Sherman and the undefeated San Francisco 49ers have a date against the Arizona Cardinals in the Thursday night NFL game as Week 9 of the season gets underway. For a look at that game and others this weekend, click here

Cody Fajardo Is Riders Nominee For MOP

The nominees for the 2019 CFL Awards were announced with six Roughriders being nominated. The Shaw CFL Awards happen each year during the Grey Cup Festival.  This year, the awards will be on Thursday, November 21^st at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

The nominees from the Saskatchewan Roughriders are: Cody Fajardo (Most Outstanding Player), Charleston Hughes (Most Outstanding Defensive Player), Jon Ryan (Most Outstanding Special Teams Player), Cameron Judge (Most Outstanding Canadian), Dan Clark (Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman), and Dakoda Shepley (Most Outstanding Rookie).       

                                        

CODY FAJARDO*

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER

After being pressed into action in the first game of the 2019 season, Cody Fajardo took the ball and ran with it – quite literally – leading the Roughriders to a 12-5 record with one game to go and currently has the team sitting in top spot in the west. At the end of week 20, the first-year starter is leading the league with 4,302 passing yards. Fajardo has thrown for 18 touchdowns in 2019 and added an additional 611 yards rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.  He was named a Top Performer of the Week in weeks three, eight and 20.  This is his first career team award nomination.

CHARLESTON HUGHES

MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER

Hughes continues to wreak havoc on CFL quarterbacks this season amassing a league-leading 15 sacks, while also adding 48 tackles, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 16 games. Hughes was named CFL Top Performer of the Month in July and September and a Top Performer of the Week in week six. He’s ranked eighth among all-time league leaders for sacks with a career 129. Hughes has been nominated for this award four times in 2012, 2013 and 2016 with the Stampeders and was the west finalist in 2013.

JON RYAN

MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYER

After a 12-year hiatus from the CFL, Ryan signed with his hometown Roughriders this year after an incredible career in the NFL with Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.  As a Rider, he has played in all 17 games this season making 104 punts for 5,098 yards and a 49 yards per punt average. Ryan’s longest punt this season spanned a whopping 77 yards and he’s placed nine punts inside the opponents 10-yard line. The last Rider to win CFL Most Outstanding Special-Teams Player was Corey Holmes in 2005.

CAMERON JUDGE*

MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN

Judge has been a force to be reckoned with on the field this season.  He has established a career-high 59 tackles, 12 special teams tackles, five quarterback sacks, one interception and one forced fumble in 16 games played. The Roughriders 2017 draft pick has already surpassed his 2018 stats in which he recorded 41 tackles and two sacks in 18 games. The last Rider to win CFL Outstanding Canadian was Andy Fantuz in 2010. This is Judge’s first career team award nomination.

DAN CLARK*

MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

Clark has been a veteran leader for the Riders offensive line this season, supporting his teammates on and off the field. A stalwart on an offensive line that saw many changes due to injury, Clark anchored a fierce group that allowed just 35 sacks this season – the third best record in the league. The offensive line also opened holes for the run game, which is averaging 115 yards per game this season and has a league-high 25 rushing touchdowns. After overcoming injuries from a serious car accident before training camp, Clark went on to play every game this season, including his 100^th career game on July 27 against the BC Lions. Teammate Brendon LaBatte is the last Rider to be named CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman when he picked up the award in 2013.

DAKODA SHEPLEY*

MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIE

Shepley joined the Riders in March after attending the New York Jets training camp in 2018. He made his CFL debut on June 13^th and didn’t miss a beat playing in all 17 games this season and starting in 14 of them at right guard. Shepley has worked hard for his place as a rookie on the established offensive line and continues to impress on a line full of CFL veterans that has allowed only 35 sacks this season and has the third-best rushing average in the league. The last Rider to win CFL Most Outstanding Rookie was Weston Dressler in 2008.

*denotes unanimous selection

Players from each team recognized for outstanding performances TORONTO (October 30, 2019) – The Canadian Football League (CFL) has announced six team award-winners from each CFL club who will advance to the next stage of voting in the lead up to the 2019 Shaw CFL Awards. The winners were selected by their respective CFL city’s voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC), as well as, the team’s head coach. Voters were tasked with selecting players whose on-field performances best represent the team’s Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Canadian, Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Most Outstanding Rookie, and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. The East and West Division-winners for the 2019 Shaw CFL Awards will be announced on Thursday, November 7. The 2019 Shaw CFL Awards will take place on Thursday, November 21 in Calgary at Scotiabank Saddledome. The evening is one of the highlights of the 2019 Grey Cup Festival presented by Shaw. A limited number of tickets is still available. In addition to the Shaw CFL Awards, several ticketed events for the 2019 Grey Cup Festival presented by Shaw are on-sale now, including the Canadian Tire CFL Alumni Association Legends Luncheon, the Alberta Blue Cross Grey Cup Gala Dinner, the Cheer Extravaganza, the first-ever Grey Cup Rodeo, the SiriusXM Saturday Night Concert presented by Coors Light, and more. Additional event details, dates and purchasing information can be found at GreyCupFestival.ca. Tickets, as low as $150, are on sale now for the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on Sunday, November 24, featuring Keith Urban in the Freedom Mobile Grey Cup Halftime Show. For more information, click here. 2019 TEAM AWARD-WINNERS BC LIONS ·     Player: Bryan Burnham* ·     Defensive: T.J. Lee ·     Canadian: Lemar Durant* ·     Offensive Lineman: Joel Figueroa ·     Special Teams: Sergio Castillo* ·     Rookie: Jevon Cottoy EDMONTON ESKIMOS ·     Player: Trevor Harris ·     Defensive: Larry Dean* ·     Canadian: Kwaku Boateng ·     Offensive Lineman: David Beard* ·     Special Teams: Sean Whyte* ·     Rookie: Vontae Diggs* CALGARY STAMPEDERS ·     Player: Reggie Begelton* ·     Defensive: Tre Roberson* ·     Canadian: Cory Greenwood* ·     Offensive Lineman: Shane Bergman ·     Special Teams: Nate Holley* ·     Rookie: Nate Holley WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS ·     Player: Willie Jefferson ·     Defensive: Willie Jefferson* ·     Canadian: Mike Miller ·     Offensive Lineman: Stanley Bryant* ·     Special Teams: Mike Miller* ·     Rookie: Kenny Lawler HAMILTON TIGER-CATS ·     Player: Brandon Banks* ·     Defensive: Simoni Lawrence ·     Canadian: Brandon Revenberg ·     Offensive Lineman: Chris Van Zeyl ·     Special Teams: Frankie Williams ·     Rookie: Jaelon Acklin TORONTO ARGONAUTS ·     Player: Derel Walker ·     Defensive: Cleyon Laing ·     Canadian: Cleyon Laing ·     Offensive Lineman: Sean McEwen* ·     Special Teams: Chris Rainey ·     Rookie: Kennan Gilchrist OTTAWA REDBLACKS ·     Player: Avery Williams ·     Defensive: Avery Williams ·     Canadian: Nolan MacMillan ·     Offensive Lineman: Nolan MacMillan ·     Special Teams: Richie Leone ·     Rookie: Jerod Fernandez MONTREAL ALOUETTES ·     Player: Vernon Adams Jr.* ·     Defensive: Henoc Muamba ·     Canadian: Henoc Muamba ·     Offensive Lineman: Kristian Matte ·     Special Teams: Boris Bede ·     Rookie: Jake Wieneke *Denotes a unanimous selection

This Week In Cougar Athletics

Friday – Home EventsWomen's Basketball – vs. UBC, 6:00 PM (CKHS)
Men's Basketball – vs. UBC, 8:00 PM (CKHS)

Saturday – Home EventsWomen's Basketball – vs. UBC, 6:00 PM (CKHS)
Men's Basketball – vs. UBC, 8:00 PM (CKHS)

Saturday – Away EventsSwimming – Day 1, Odlum Brown Colleges Cup Pacific (Vancouver, B.C.)

Sunday – Away Events
Swimming – Day 2, Odlum Brown Colleges Cup Pacific (Vancouver, B.C.)

Men's Basketball – After playing one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country which saw them take on four of the top six teams in the nation, the Cougars will finally play their first home games of the season as they open up the Canada West schedule this weekend against UBC at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 on both Friday night and Saturday night against the Thunderbirds.

Women's Basketball – The Cougars finished off their preseason with a non-conference win at Trinity Western last Wednesday followed by an exhibition loss at San Diego State (NCAA Div. I) on Sunday. Regina ended up with a 4-2 record in six non-conference games against U SPORTS opposition, and the Cougars will lift the lid on the 2019-20 Canada West schedule this weekend with games against the UBC Thunderbirds on both Friday and Saturday night at the CKHS. Both of those games have a 6:00 scheduled start.

Swimming – The Cougars will head to the West Coast for their first meet of the 2019-20 season as they’ll travel to Vancouver for the Odlum Brown Colleges Cup Pacific hosted by UBC on Saturday and Sunday. Third-year swimmer Bree Crookshanks will anchor the women’s roster, while the men will be led by veterans Brian Palaschuk and Etienne Paquin-Foisy.

Cross Country – Ron MacLean was named the Canada West Rookie of the Year on the men’s side at last Saturday’s conference meet after finishing as the top first-year harrier in the snowy 10K race in Calgary. MacLean was 15th overall to help the Cougars to a fifth-place finish in the men’s standings, while the women placed eighth. The teams will now prepare for the 2019 U SPORTS Championships, which will be hosted by Queen’s on Nov. 9 in Kingston, Ont.

Women's Soccer – The Cougars went up to Edmonton to face Victoria in a Canada West play-in game last Friday. After battling the Vikes to a scoreless draw through 120 minutes in abysmal weather conditions, the game went to penalty kicks where Victoria emerged with a 5-4 victory. The game marked the last time in a U of R uniform for five fifth-year players including Jet Davies, Kirsten Finley, Sydney Langen, Cassie Longmuir, and Brigit Sinaga. Fourth-year players Lauren Petras, Brooke Schlossarek, and Savannah Williams are also expected to graduate this year.

Women's Volleyball – The Cougars were also up in Edmonton this past weekend, losing three-set decisions to MacEwan on both Friday and Saturday to fall to 1-3 on the season. Regina will now have a break from conference play before returning to the Canada West schedule with home matches against Manitoba on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9.

Men's Hockey – The Cougars lost twice to No. 10-ranked Mount Royal at home last weekend, falling 6-1 on Friday night before being edged 5-3 on Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s game featured a wild opening to the third period which saw the two teams combine for three goals in the opening 39 seconds. That made the score 4-3 for MRU, but the score stayed that way until a late empty netter sealed the win for the visitors. The Cougars (1-7-0) have this weekend off, with their next two games coming up on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9 at home against Manitoba.

Women's Hockey – Regina travelled to Calgary for a pair of games against Mount Royal last weekend, with MRU emerging with 2-1 and 6-1 victories. Like the volleyball and men’s hockey teams, the Cougars (1-6-1-0) will have a break from the Canada West schedule before returning to action against Manitoba on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9. Both of those games will be played at the Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg. After that weekend, the Cougars will have five home games in their final six contests before the December break.

Rams Football (U SPORTS Ranking: No. 10) – The Rams finished the 2019 season with a resounding home victory over Manitoba at Leibel Field, ending up with a 47-14 win over the Bisons. Kyle Moortgat had a massive game for the U of R , finishing with 11 catches for a career-high 185 yards and a touchdown. Nine players donned a Rams uniform for the final time in the win, including Ryan Schienbein, Theren Churchill, Daniel Scraper, Moortgat, Sam Varao, Eric Wicijowski, Braedy Will, Cord Delinte, and Colin Stumborg. Trey Campbell, Brandon Brooks, Odun Ogidan, Roe Borgmann, and Liam Lerat are also fifth-years but didn't suit up on Friday due to injury.

NHL Three Stars Of Week

NEW YORK (Oct. 28, 2019) – Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Oct. 27.

 FIRST STAR – BRAD MARCHAND, LW, BOSTON BRUINS

Marchand topped the NHL with 3-5—8 in three contests to help the Bruins (8-1-2, 18 points) post a perfect week and extend their overall point streak to seven games dating to Oct. 12 (5-0-2). He collected 1-1—2 in a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs Oct. 22. Marchand then picked up one assist as Boston defeated the St. Louis Blues, 3-0 on Oct. 26, in their first meeting since Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. He capped the week with 2-3—5, his fifth career five-point performance, in a 7-4 triumph over the New York Rangers Oct. 27. Marchand and David Pastrnak (0-5—5) became the first set of Bruins teammates to each register five points in a game since Dec. 28, 2001 (Glen Murray: 2-3—5, Joe Thornton: 0-5—5). The 31-year-old Halifax, N.S., native – who reached the 100-point milestone for the first time in 2018-19 (36-64—100 in 79 GP) – ranks fifth in the NHL with 7-13—20 through 11 contests this season. All of those points have come during a career-high 10-game streak dating to Oct. 5.


SECOND STAR – ROMAN JOSI, D, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Josi recorded 2-4—6 in three outings to also power the Predators (7-3-1, 15 points) to a perfect week. He notched 1-1—2 in a 6-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks Oct. 22, then collected one assist in a 4-0 triumph over the Minnesota Wild Oct. 24. Josi added 1-2—3, including the tying goal late in the third period and primary assist on the overtime winner, in a 3-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning Oct. 26. The 29-year-old Bern, Switzerland, native ranks second among NHL blueliners with 5-8—13 through 11 contests this season. He and Ryan Ellis (2-11—13) are the first defensemen teammates to each post 13 points within a team’s opening 11 games since 1992-93 (Phil Housley: 3-12—15, Fredrik Olausson: 3-10—13 w/ WIN).


THIRD STAR – BRIAN ELLIOTT, G, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Elliott compiled a 3-0-0 record, 2.02 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in four games to lead the Flyers (5-4-1, 11 points) to a trio of victories. He turned aside 33 shots in a 6-2 triumph over the Vegas Golden Knights Oct. 21, made 23 saves in a 4-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks Oct. 24 and stopped 22 pucks in a 7-4 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Oct. 26. Elliott then denied all 19 shots he faced in a relief effort in a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders Oct. 27. The 34-year-old Newmarket, Ont., native has made six total appearances this season, going 3-1-0 with a 2.28 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

Something To "Mitch" About

Photo: NHL

"Hockey may not have been born in Saskatchewan, but it sure grew up here" -- Hockey Night in Canada's Jim Hughson

"It's a place where hockey matters" --NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman 

"The experience was outstanding. Between the NHL and the city of Regina, the hockey fans in the province of Saskatchewan came out in full force. Lots of energy in Mosaic Stadium, and a beautiful setting with the light snow, and the temperature wasn’t too bad. If you ever get a chance to be a part of one, do it. You ever as a fan get a chance to attend one, I would definitely not deprive myself of the opportunity to do that.” --Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters.

"The only way to top it would be if Santa Claus went over the stadium".-- Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice. 

"What an awesome experience" -- Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. 

Even the NHL knows how important Saskatchewan is. 

What a night it was.  The NHL's Heritage Classic featuring the Calgary Flames and the Winnipeg Jets was a day to remember.  The wind even died down enough to make it a great night to showcase the game under a snowglobe like setting.  The light snow that fell starting just after faceoff with some big snowflakes just made it better.   Tim Reid and his gang at Evraz Place must be smiling from ear-to-ear after what was a great event. 

--Was it just me or were the Jets the team that the majority were cheering for. It seemed that way to me both watching it live and on TV.  As great as Mosaic Arena looked live, it looked absolutely sensational on television.  What a night for Regina, Saskatchewan and the stadium.

-- I don't know when and if the NHL will come back to Regina, but the league knows if they do, they will be welcomed with open arms.  It begs the question about the NHL and Saskatchewan having a team.  Bettman said Friday at the International Trade Centre during a luncheon where he was cheered much to his delight that expanding to Saskatoon is not on the radar at this time.  

I don't see the day where Regina ever gets an NHL-sized arena so the best bet would be Saskatoon at SaskTel Centre, but I realistically just don't see that happening either anytime soon.  In the meantime and in between time, we will keep cheering for our favourite teams.   Many of us displayed the jerseys of our favourite team during "Hockey Week" in Regina.  If you were downtown, you saw Leafs, Canadiens, Oilers, Flames, Jets, Rangers, Knights, Canada, Pats jerseys....you name it.   Yes, we are a football-crazed province, but we love our hockey too.  

--Speaking of football, I think it is safe to assume Mosaic Stadium will be sold out for the second straight Saturday when the Riders look to clinch first place with a win over Edmonton.  I saw one play of the game from Commonwealth Stadium and that was Brett Lauther's winner.   

I tried to find a TV at Evraz Place that had the Riders game on, but with hockey taking over, all TV's where I was were on the Habs-Leafs game.  The texts were coming though.  

• What the hell are the Riders doing?
• Do the Riders know what's at stake today?
• Why is Takoby Cofield playing?
• Fajardo is going to get killed!!

Being down 14-0 will do that I guess, but a game is 60 minutes and the green-and-white found a way.  It is hard to fathom what this team could accomplish next weekend when you think about everything that happened leading up to and at the start of the season.   I still say 10 years after the 13th man debacle at MacMahon that the Riders and Alouettes will do it again.   What a week it should be around here and what an environment it should be for the regular-season finale and hopefully the Western Final. 

--The result from Winnipeg Friday night stunned me, but I was happy for Zach Collaros that he got through a game without being hurt.  As much as I believe the West Final will be between the Stamps and Riders, the Bombers will make it interesting no matter who their quarterback is.  

--Former UBC quarterback Michael O'Connor threw a TD pass for the Argos.  The talk of the Canadian quarterback has been put on the backburner with Brandon Bridge bouncing around from team-to-team, but O'Connor may have it heating up again.  One has to wonder if another Canadian---Nathan Rourke--who is at Ohio University will come north of the border as well.  If it does, this Canadian quarterback discussion might finally end with teams having one or two at their disposal. 

--You can't pin it all on one guy, but the University of Regina Rams might be heading to the playoffs if it weren't for the kicking problems they had this year.  This Rams season, that ends with a 3-5 record, will go down as so close, but so far as they had one point losses to Manitoba and Alberta and a five point loss to UBC---all games where kicking adventures turned possible victories into losses.   HC Steve Bryce is frustrated at missing the playoffs for a second straight season, but I think he has to feel awfully good about what the future holds.  He has a lot of good young players on his football team---good young players that should have this team playoff-bound again next season. 

I hope receivers Ryan Schienbein and Kyle Moortgat can find a way for their football careers to continue.  That's up to CFL talent evaluators to decide.

--I am sure that when fans in Washington started singing Baby Shark in Game 3 that it angered the baseball gods.  I thought the Houston Astros might be in danger of getting swept after losing the first two at home. NOPE!  Would it surprise anyone if this thing went 7 now?  Not me!  Houston looked like the team we thought they would be in Games 3, 4 and 5 and go home looking to wrap it up Tuesday.

--From Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun:  Since Lou Lamiroello left the Leafs to become the GM of the Islanders. the team is 55-30-7 while the star-studded Leafs are 52-32-10.  There's one for ya Toronto fans!

--Congrats to Matt Dunstone and his rink for winning the Grand Slam of Curling event in North Bay, Ontario. It was an emotional moment for Matt as he had a tough time spitting out words to Sportsnet's Joan McCusker when it was over.  Between this rink and the Kirk Muyres rink, that Brier drought Saskatchewan has had just may be getting ready to end.

--I'm still not buying the San Francisco 49ers

--The New Orleans Saints are still my Super Bowl favourites

--What does Jacksonville do when Nick Foles is ready to return.  The Jags can't derail Minshewmania can they?

--There are Sundays when fantasy football is a good thing, there are Sundays when it's not.  The latter is in effect for this guy this week.  JEEBUS!!

--That's all I got.  Have a great week!

Heritage Classic Notes

JETS, FLAMES FACE OFF OUTDOORS

The Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames face off tonight in the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic (10 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CST, CBC, SN1, CITY, TVAS2, NBCSN) – the League’s 28th regular-season outdoor game and fifth in the Heritage Classic series.

The Jets and Flames each have participated in one prior outdoor game, both under the Heritage Classic umbrella.

Winnipeg played host to the 2016 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Investors Group Field, falling 3-0 to the Edmonton Oilers. Nine Jets players who appeared in that game remain with the team: Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, Connor Hellebuyck, Patrik Laine, Adam Lowry, Josh Morrissey, Mathieu Perreault, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler.

Current Calgary goaltender Cam Talbot started for Edmonton in that contest, stopping all 31 shots he faced for the third shutout in outdoor NHL game history. Current Jets forward Mark Letestu scored the winning goal (while shorthanded), as a member of the Oilers. And current Flames forward Milan Lucic recorded two penalty minutes for Edmonton.

Calgary served as hosts for the 2011 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-0. Two players who appeared in that game remain with the Flames: Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano.

Overall, the Jets feature 11 players who have participated in a prior outdoor NHL game (minimum: 1 GP in 2019-20), while the Flames have four. Talbot leads that group with four such appearances, though he served as a backup goaltender for three of them (2014 SS w/ NYR [2 GP], 2019 SS w/ PHI).

HISTORY OF NHL HOCKEY IN WINNIPEG, CALGARY . . .

NHL hockey first arrived in Winnipeg in 1979-80, when the World Hockey Association’s Winnipeg Jets joined the League as part of a four-team expansion. One season later, the Flames relocated from Atlanta to Calgary to bring Alberta its second NHL franchise (joining the Edmonton Oilers).

The teams met for the first time (as the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames) on Nov. 5, 1980, at Winnipeg Arena. Down 5‑2 midway through the third period, Calgary scored three unanswered goals (in a span of 3:48) to force a 5-5 tie.

The Jets and Flames played together in the Smythe Division from 1982-83 through 1992-93. During that time, they met in three straight postseasons (1985, 1986 and 1987). Winnipeg defeated Calgary, 3-1, in the 1985 Smythe Division Semifinals for its first playoff series victory. The Flames bounced back the following season with a 3-0 sweep in the opening round. The Jets won their last postseason encounter, 4-2, also in the Smythe Division Semifinals.

Overall, the original Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames faced off 105 times during the regular season from 1980-81 through 1995-96, the Jets’ final season in Winnipeg before relocating to Arizona. The Jets went 38-51-16 (92 points) in the head-to-head series, while the Flames went 51-38-16 (118 points).

NHL hockey and the Jets returned to Winnipeg in 2011-12 following the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers. The Flames and current version of the Jets have met 19 times since that season, with Calgary owning an 11-7-1 (23 points) advantage in the head-to-head series (WPG: 8-10-1, 17 points).

The teams will play each other two more times in 2019-20: March 14 and March 31, both in Calgary.

. . . AND IN SASKATCHEWAN

The NHL has staged six prior regular-season games in Saskatchewan, all at SaskPlace in Saskatoon during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. Both the original Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames played in two of those contests:

Date	City	Venue	Final Score
Jan. 24, 1994	Saskatoon	SaskPlace	VAN 5 at EDM 4 (OT)
Dec. 23, 1993	Saskatoon	SaskPlace	CGY 3 at VAN 4
March 11, 1993	Saskatoon	SaskPlace	MNS 4 at VAN 3
Feb. 23, 1993	Saskatoon	SaskPlace	WIN 8 at OTT 2
Jan. 18, 1993	Saskatoon	SaskPlace	HFD 7 at WIN 8
Oct. 13, 1992	Saskatoon	SaskPlace	CGY 4 at MNS 3

The NHL also has played five preseason games in Saskatchewan dating to 2009-10, including two in Regina:

Date	City	Venue	Final Score
Sept. 27, 2017	Saskatoon	SaskTel Centre	EDM 4 at CAR 0
Oct. 4, 2016	Saskatoon	SaskTel Centre	TOR 2 at OTT 3
Sept. 26, 2015	Saskatoon	SaskTel Centre	MIN 0 at EDM 3
Sept. 17, 2013	Regina	Brandt Center	CGY 4 at NYI 2
Sept. 21, 2009	Regina	Evraz Place	OTT 3 at TBL 1

DID YOU KNOW?

* The Edmonton Oilers played host to the inaugural Heritage Classic and first-ever regular-season outdoor NHL game on Nov. 22, 2003, at Commonwealth Stadium. A sellout crowd of 57,167 braved extreme cold as the visiting Montreal Canadiens claimed a 4-3 win.

* This season’s game between the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames marks the fifth in the Heritage Classic series, following previous such contests in 2003 (EDM vs. MTL, Commonwealth Stadium), 2011 (CGY vs. MTL, McMahon Stadium), 2014 (VAN vs. OTT, BC Place) and 2016 (WPG vs. EDM, Investors Group Field).

* Regina will become the 14th Canadian city – and second in Saskatchewan – to play host to a regular-season NHL game (indoors or outdoors), following the seven current Canadian franchises plus Fort Erie, Ont.; Halifax, N.S.; Hamilton, Ont.; Quebec City, Que.; Saskatoon, Sask.; and Windsor, Ont.

* The province of Saskatchewan accounts for 3 percent of Canada’s total population (according to the 2016 census) and has produced nearly 10 percent of the country’s all-time NHL players – the most NHLers among all provinces (as well as any U.S. state or European nation) on a per-capita basis.

* A total of 516 players in NHL history have been born in Saskatchewan. Those players have skated in more than 137,000 games, have recorded 21,000+ goals and 56,000+ points, and have won a combined 171 Stanley Cups.

* Mosaic Stadium, the site of the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic, also will be the venue for the 2020 Grey Cup. The Saskatchewan Roughriders, City of Regina and Province of Saskatchewan will play host to the CFL’s championship game for the first time since 2013.

OUTDOOR NHL GAME NOTES AND TRENDS

* There have been 27 regular-season outdoor NHL games to date: 11 Winter Classics, 10 Stadium Series, four Heritage Classics, one Centennial Classic and one NHL100 Classic.

* Sixteen outdoor NHL games have taken place at football venues, 10 have been hosted by baseball parks and one has been staged in a soccer stadium.

* The NHL’s 27 outdoor games have drawn total attendance of 1,459,359 – an average of 54,050 per game.

* A total of 755 skaters, goaltenders and head coaches have participated in the NHL’s 27 outdoor games to date.

* Road teams are 16-8-3 in the League’s 27 outdoor games. Home teams are 11-13-3 overall, but 6-1-1 in the last eight and 7-3-1 in the past 11.

* Teams that score first are 15-8-4 in the NHL’s 27 outdoor games, including a 10-2-2 record in the last 14 such contests.

* Thirteen of the League’s 27 outdoor games have featured a comeback win (48.1%), including both such contests in 2018-19 (Boston Bruins: 2019 WC at CHI, Philadelphia Flyers: 2019 SS vs. PIT).

* Six of the NHL’s 27 outdoor games have required overtime, with four decided in the 5-minute extra session and two determined in a shootout.

HERITAGE CLASSIC ENTERTAINMENT

The 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic will feature a lineup of musical performers with roots in Saskatchewan.

The formal game day festivities will begin with the Opening Ceremony presented by SiriusXM, featuring a performance by Jess Moskaluke and the Hunter Brothers with a special appearance by Cadets and Officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted‎ Police from both Regina’s Training Academy and Saskatchewan’s “F” Division.

The anthem ceremony will feature the Hunter Brothers’ rendition of the Canadian national anthem; the unfurling of the Canadian flag by 50 members of the Canadian Armed Forces from Regina and Moose Jaw, including the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force; and a flyover by a CC-130H Hercules aircraft from the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron based in Winnipeg.

In celebration of past trailblazers and the promising future of indigenous hockey in Canada, Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first indigenous players in the NHL; Brigette Lacquette, the first indigenous player on Canada’s Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team; and two local youth hockey players will take part in a ceremonial puck drop.

The first intermission is presented by Ticketmaster and will feature a performance by the multiplatinum-selling band The Sheepdogs. JUNO Award winner Jess Moskaluke will return to the stage for a performance during the second intermission.

Throughout the game, Canadian supergroup Toque will serve as the house band and will treat fans to a setlist of classic Canadian hits.

THE PREGAME

The PreGame at the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic, the official fan festival of the outdoor game, will entertain fans of all ages at Confederation Park both today and tomorrow.

Highlighting The PreGame are the Tim Hortons Coffee Trucks, where fans can receive a free cup of Canada’s favorite coffee or hot chocolate and spin to be entered for a chance to win a trip to the 2020 Honda NHL All- Star Game. The Stanley Cup also will be on display in addition to live musical performances by local Regina cover bands, Wonderland on Saturday and Fog Dog on Sunday.

Admission to The PreGame is free and open to the public. A ticket to the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic is NOT required for access, but fans will need to go through security screening to enter.

Click here for more details on interactives and attractions.

‘NHL HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE’ SCHOLARSHIP

The NHL, Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames have jointly invested $300,000 to fund a new scholarship available to undergraduate students who play hockey at the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan as a lasting legacy of the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic.

The scholarship will be available each year to four students: one female and one male hockey player at each school. Chosen based on the core values of ‘Hockey Is For Everyone,’ recipients will be those who strive to provide a positive and inclusive environment, while also showing leadership and good sportsmanship on and off the ice. Each scholarship recipient will receive a one-year grant to aid in covering post-secondary costs.

The details of the ‘NHL Hockey Is For Everyone’ scholarship were announced Friday during a luncheon cohosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), a nonprofit corporation that operates the 100-acre Evraz Place property that includes Mosaic Stadium.

(NHL Media)