The Final Four

The AFC and NFC championships go this weekend in Denver and Seattle. 

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Following The Cougars

Home Events
Women’s Basketball – vs. Winnipeg, Friday (6:15 p.m.) at CKHS
Men’s Hockey – vs. Mount Royal, Friday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre
Men’s Basketball – vs. Winnipeg, Friday (8:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Women’s Basketball – vs. Winnipeg, Saturday (5:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Men’s Basketball – vs. Winnipeg, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Men’s Hockey – vs. Mount Royal, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-operators Centre

 

Away Events
Women’s Volleyball – at Saskatchewan, Friday (6:15 p.m.) in Saskatoon, Sask.
Men’s Volleyball – at Saskatchewan, Friday (8:00 p.m.) in Saskatoon, Sask.
Women’s Hockey – at Mount Royal, Friday (8:00 p.m. MST) in Calgary, Alta.
Track & Field – at Golden Bear Open, Friday to Saturday in Edmonton, Alta.
Men’s Wrestling – at Dickinson State, Friday (8:00 p.m.) in Dickinson, N.D.
Men’s Wrestling – at Tyler Plummer Classic, Saturday in Dickinson, N.D.
Women’s Hockey – at Mount Royal, Saturday (3:00 p.m. MST) in Calgary, Alta.
Women’s Volleyball – at Saskatchewan, Saturday (6:15 p.m.) in Saskatoon, Sask.
Men’s Volleyball – at Saskatchewan, Saturday (8:00 p.m.) in Saskatoon, Sask.
Women’s Wrestling – at Guelph Open, Saturday in Guelph, Ont.

 

Men’s Hockey – The Cougars started a four-game homestand last weekend against UBC, losing 4-2 on Friday and suffering a 4-3 shootout loss on Saturday as their conference record moves to 9-10-1 on the season. Still just one point out of fourth place in the Canada West standings, the homestand continues this weekend with a pair of games against Mount Royal at The Co-operators Centre. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both nights.

 

Women’s Basketball (CIS Ranking: No. 5) – The Cougars (10-2) won their fifth and sixth consecutive Canada West games with a 99-39 win over Thompson Rivers on Thursday and an 88-56 victory over UBC Okanagan on Friday. Nicole Clarke was named the Canada West Third Star of the Week as the fifth-year guard was 14-for-30 from the field – including 54.5% from three-point land – and accumulated a total of 38 points over the two games. The Cougars are back at home this weekend for two games against Prairie Division rival Winnipeg (6-6).

 

Men’s Basketball – The second half of the Canada West schedule started with a home split for the Cougars, losing a 100-95 overtime decision to Thompson Rivers on Thursday before holding off UBC Okanagan for a 72-64 win the following night. The Cougars (3-9) are back in action at the CKHS this Friday and Saturday against Winnipeg, which will enter the weekend with a 7-5 conference record.

 

Women’s Hockey – The Cougars made their annual West Coast trip last weekend but lost to No. 5-ranked and Canada West-leading UBC twice, including in a shootout on Saturday. Now 10-7-3 on the season, the Cougars will play their third and fourth consecutive away games as they pay a visit to Mount Royal (3-14-3). The teams meet at 7 p.m. (MST) on Friday night before playing an afternoon game (3:00) on Saturday.

 

Women’s Volleyball – The Cougars got right back into the Canada West playoff picture with two big wins over the University of Alberta, winning in five sets on Saturday before sweeping the Pandas on Sunday to improve to 5-9 on the season. Saturday’s victory featured a huge comeback in the first set, as Alberta held a 19-6 lead before the Cougars stormed back to take it 25-23. Now just one win behind Alberta for seventh in the Canada West standings, the Cougars will travel to the University of Saskatchewan for two crucial matches against the Huskies (7-7).

Men’s Volleyball – After losing twice to No. 3-ranked Alberta last weekend, the Canada West schedule continues for the Cougars (0-14) this Friday and Saturday. They’ll travel to Saskatoon for a pair of games against the U of S, which comes into the weekend with a 5-9 mark. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m. following the conclusion of the women’s match on both nights.

 

Women’s Wrestling (CIS Ranking: No. 6) – Kristine Longeau had another strong performance with a first-place finish at 82 kg to help the Cougars edge Saskatchewan for first place at the University of Regina Invitational on Saturday at the CKHS. Five other Cougars finished in second place, including Cass Schmidt (55 kg), Danielle Anderson (59 kg), Indhyra Linares (63 kg), Kayla Brodner (72 kg), and Emily Forrester (82 kg). The Cougars will send a partial team to compete in the Guelph Open on Saturday. 

 

Men’s Wrestling (CIS Ranking: No. 8) – Gilbert Musonza (65 kg) and Jacob Luczak (82 kg) both won individual championships as the Cougars finished in first place in the overall standings on Saturday at the University of Regina Invitational. The team is back in action this weekend as they’ll make the trip south to Dickinson, N.D. to wrestle Dickinson State in a dual on Friday night before competing in the Tyler Plummer Classic on Saturday.

 

Track & Field – Tait Nystuen became the second Cougar to hit a CIS standard this season and the University of Regina swept all three duals on both the men’s and women’s sides at the Prairie Quad on Saturday in Saskatoon. Nystuen’s time of 1:19.64 in the 600-metre run not only guarantees him a berth in this year’s CIS Championships, but also breaks a school record that had been held by Darren Peters since 1999. The Cougars are back in action at the Golden Bear Open this weekend in Edmonton.

 

(U of R)

Riders Re-Sign Smith

 

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that import receiver Taj Smith has re-signed with the team.  Financial details were not released.

 

Smith (6’1 – 198) will be entering his third season with the Green and White. The 30-year-old Newark, New Jersey native followed up a solid rookie campaign by starting all 18 regular season games in 2013, registering 1,007 yards and seven touchdowns on a team leading 78 receptions. He also totaled 11 receptions for 186 yards in the West Semi-Final and West Final before adding one catch for five yards in the Grey Cup.

 

The product of Syracuse University will enter 2014 with 125 career catches for 1,697 yards and nine touchdowns in 31 regular season games. He was eligible to become a free agent on February 15^th.      

DeLaet Signs On With SHAW

On a relatively balmy winter’s day in Saskatoon, Canadian golf star Graham DeLaet spent part of the morning hitting balls in the snow.

While he’s usually practising under the desert sun at his Arizona home this time of year, DeLaet, the 39th-ranked golfer in the world, was at a hotel today showing off his swing, smacking some golf balls into the icy waters of the South Saskatchewan River.

What DeLaet described as a “stunt,” was the kick off to a multi-year deal the golfer signed with Shaw Communications Inc., parent company of Global News, which will see the Shaw logo on his hat and golf bag.

“It is a good Canadian brand getting their foot in the door with golf,” says DeLaet, 31, who grew up in Weyburn, Sask. “I’m excited moving forward with it. For me it starts with playing good golf, and when you play great golf other things off the course come with it.”

Shaw chief executive Brad Shaw, who, along with some friends, watched as DeLaet battled American golf star Jordan Spieth on Sunday at last year’s Presidents Cup, says the golfer’s work ethic and personality are a strong fit for the media company.

“Any time you have the family name on the company and have someone else wearing it – you take that seriously,” said Shaw. “You look at Graham and the type of person he is and how hard he works and how humble he is and you recognize he’s a great fit. We’re so proud he’s Canadian and from Western Canada and what he’s achieved. It is a tremendous opportunity for us to support golf in Canada and local charities.”

DeLaet, who already has two Top 10 finishes on the 2013-14 PGA Tour season this year, will wear the Shaw logo next week when he plays the Farmers Insurance Open. He’ll also play his first Masters in April, trying to become only the second Canadian to win a men’s major championship.

Since emerging as a rookie on the PGA Tour in 2010, DeLaet’s powerful driving, homegrown enthusiasm and ability to rise to the occasion has made him a force in professional golf.

Last year he nearly won the Barclays, part of golf’s FedEx Cup playoffs, recorded seven Top 10 finishes, and made $2.83-million in earnings. His strong play earned him a spot on the International Team of the Presidents Cup, the competition that matches the best American stars against the top golfers in the world outside of Europe.

Despite his team losing to a dominant American group, Masters winner Adam Scott called DeLaet the MVP of the international squad. His play won accolades from team captain Nick Price, who said DeLaet is “a hell of a player. I think Canada has a lot to look forward to the next ten or 12 years or so watching him play because he’s definitely major championship material.”

In addition to the sponsorship with Shaw, DeLaet has just inked a new clothing deal with Puma, and is continuing with sponsor RBC and club company Titleist, as well as an ambassador for the province of Saskatchewan.

DeLaet says the connection with Shaw is just an extension of his on-course success.

“All across the country – and in Saskatchewan – I’ve had tons of support,” he says. “I’m a Saskatchewan boy and Shaw is an Alberta company. Saskatchewan and Alberta are like big brother and little brother, though I don’t know which is the little brother any more. Western Canada is an important part of my life and growing up so there’s no coincidence this is happening.”

(Global)

Top Notch Baseball Coming To Regina

 

The Regina Optimist Baseball Association Inc. and Saskatchewan Baseball Association are pleased to announce that the 2015 and 2016 Baseball Canada 21U (Junior) National Championship Host has been awarded to Regina, Saskatchewan.

President of Regina Optimist Baseball Association Inc., Rodney Palanuik, said, “Regina Optimist Baseball has been very successful in hosting many regional and provincial baseball tournaments of all descriptions thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers and valued sponsors that have made each event a tremendous success. We’re honored to be chosen to host this tournament in Regina and to promote baseball as one of the greatest sports to play and watch.”

Director General of Baseball Canada, Jim Baba, noted that “Regina has done a great job in the past hosting Canada Games Baseball and other National Championships and we look forward to having them host the 2015/16 Junior National Championships. After a few adjustments to our hosting requirements a few years ago, bidding to host our events has become extremely competitive and winning a bid to host is a testament to what Regina offers in baseball facilities, accommodations, local travel and as a hosting group.” 

John Lee, President and CEO of Tourism Regina said, “We were very happy to work with Regina Optimist Baseball and the Regina Hotel Association to bring this prestigious event to Regina. Regina Optimist Baseball has celebrated over 50 years of dedication to the support of minor baseball in Regina and they will be ready to showcase Canada’s finest baseball talent. Regina has great momentum going into 2014 and events are a top priority.” 

Tourism Regina, a division of Regina Regional Opportunities Commission (RROC), in partnership with Regina Hotel Association, works to position Regina as a premier destination for events of all kinds. They have been instrumental in securing major events for the city including the Juno Awards, BMO Skate Canada Challenge, Canadian Gymnastics Championships, Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Championships, Ford World Men’s Curling Championships, and a long list of many more prominent events. 

Executive Director of Baseball Saskatchewan, Mike Ramage, added that “Baseball Sask is very pleased to hear that Regina Optimist Baseball has been awarded the 2015 & 2016 Baseball Canada Junior Championships. The Regina Optimist Junior League has a strong tradition of developing many players over the years and I know they will put on a terrific show in hosting this prestigious event showcasing some of Canada’s best 21U players.”

 

Two New Riders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that non-import kicker Brett Cameron and non-import fullback Matthew Burke have signed with the team.  Financial details were not released.

 

Cameron (6’1 – 194) signs with the Green and White after spending four seasons at the University of North Dakota. The Winnipeg native played 41 career collegiate games recording 7,559 yards on 182 punts for a 41.5 yard average. During his senior season Cameron recorded 13 punts over 50 yards.

 

The 23-year-old attended 2013 training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers playing one preseason game.  

 

Burke (6’1 – 245) joins the Riders after spending five seasons at Bishops University. As a senior in 2013, the 24-year-old native of Nova Scotia totaled 519 yards and two touchdowns on 91 carries while adding ten receptions for 76 yards. 

RBI Baseball Returns

Ready to feel like you're 10 again? Beloved NES game "R.B.I. Baseball" is getting a reboot this spring thanks to MLB Advanced Media.

The original NES had a plethora of wonderful baseball games and many consider "R.B.I. Baseball" to be the best.

It was a game-changer (literally!) because when it was released in 1988, "R.B.I. Baseball" was the first game licensed by the MLB player's union and thus, it was the first to use players' real names. There hasn't been an "R.B.I." title since 1995.

Video games have changes a lot since "R.B.I. Baseball" was popular, obviously, but there's a need for a new baseball video game, since 2K Sports recently canceled its MLB title. So why not bring back a familiar name? It works in Hollywood.

The announcement by MLB Advanced Media didn't give us too many details. But it was enough to whet appetites and inspire hours of 8-bit memories on Twitter:


MLBAM today announces that R.B.I. Baseball 14, a video game brand not seen in nearly two decades, will return this spring. R.B.I. Baseball 14 is being developed by MLBAM for multi-platform distribution across current and next generation consoles and smartphones and tablets. For the latest developments on R.B.I. Baseball 14, please visit rbigame.com and follow @RBIGame.