Friday, February 5, 2010
Pats Team Poster Night
The Pats and Blades will renew their rivalry on the Brandt Centre ice at 7 o'clock tonight. The first 2500 fans in the rink get a Pats team poster courtesy of Western Pizza.
The Kootenay Ice will be here tomorrow night in a 7 o'clock start. Those coming to that game will get a free Pats hat courtesy of Sasktel.
Regina begins the weekend sitting seven behind 8th place Moose Jaw.
The Kootenay Ice will be here tomorrow night in a 7 o'clock start. Those coming to that game will get a free Pats hat courtesy of Sasktel.
Regina begins the weekend sitting seven behind 8th place Moose Jaw.
Many WHL Alum Chasing Olympic Gold
28 WHL GRADUATES TO COMPETE FOR OLYMPIC HOCKEY GOLD
Calgary, AB -- The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 28 WHL alumni will participate in the 2010 Winter Olympic hockey tournament in Vancouver, B.C., later this month.
12 countries will compete for an Olympic Gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics including Belarus, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.
Seven of the 12 competing entries have at least one WHL graduate on their roster. Canada and Slovakia each boast eight WHL graduates, the Czechs have four WHL alumni, and Switzerland and Germany each have three.
Here’s a look at the WHL graduates who will be competing for Gold at the 2010 Winter Olympic hockey tournament in Vancouver, B.C.:
CANADA
Name; Hometown – Club team (WHL team)
Ryan Getzlaf; Regina, SK – Anaheim Ducks (Calgary Hitmen)
Jarome Iginla; St. Albert, AB – Calgary Flames (Kamloops Blazers)
Duncan Keith; Penticton, B.C. – Chicago Blackhawks (Kelowna Rockets)
Patrick Marleau; Aneroid, SK – San Jose Sharks (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Brenden Morrow; Carlyle, SK – Dallas Stars (Portland Winterhawks)
Brent Seabrook; Tsawwassen, B.C. – Chicago Blackhawks (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Shea Weber; Sicamous, B.C. – Nashville Predators (Kelowna Rockets)
CZECH REPUBLIC
Martin Erat; Trebic, CZE – Nashville Predators (Saskatoon Blades, Red Deer Rebels)
Tomas Fleischmann; Koprivnice, CZE – Washington Capitals (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Pavel Kubina; Celadna, CZE – Atlanta Thrashers (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Roman Polak; Ostrava, CZE – St. Louis Blues (Kootenay Ice)
GERMANY
Jason Holland; Morinville, AB – DEG Metro Stars Dusseldorf (Kamloops Blazers)
T.J. Mulock; Langley, B.C. – Eisbaren Berlin (Vancouver Giants, Regina Pats, Kamloops Blazers)
Chris Schmidt; Beaver Lodge, AB – Alder Mannheim (Seattle Thunderbirds)
LATVIA
Lauris Darzins; Riga, LAT – Dinamo Riga (Kelowna Rockets)
NORWAY
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen; Oslo, NOR – Philadelphia Flyers (Brandon Wheat Kings)
SLOVAKIA
Zdeno Chara; Trencin, SVK – Boston Bruins (Prince George Cougars)
Martin Cibak; Liptovsky Mikulas, SVK – Spartak Moscow (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Marcel Hossa; Ilava, SVK – Dinamo Riga (Portland Winterhawks)
Marian Hossa; Ilava, SVK – Chicago Blackhawks (Portland Winterhawks)
Tomas Kopecky; Ilava, SVK – Chicago Blackhawks (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Andrej Meszaros; Povazska Bystrica, SVK – Tampa Bay Lightning (Vancouver Giants)
Rastislav Stana; Kosice, SVK – Severstal Cherepovets (Moose Jaw Warriors, Calgary Hitmen)
Richard Zednik; Banska Bystrica, SVK – Lokomotiv Jaroslavl (Portland Winterhawks)
SWITZERLAND
Hnat Domenichelli; Edmonton, AB – HC Lugano (Kamloops Blazers)
Luca Sbisa; Oberageri, SUI – Portland Winterhawks*, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Roman Wick, Zuzwil, SUI – Kloten Flyers (Red Deer Rebels, Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Here We Go Again
The Rider Nation is in a state of panic. It must be the off-season. Once again, many Rider fans are thinking nothing but doom and gloom is on the horizon after a day that saw Paul LaPolice leave as offensive co-ordinator to become head coach of the Bombers with Stevie Baggs defecting to the NFL as he signs a one year deal with the Cardinals. If there was good news, it was the fact Andy Fantuz didn't sign with an NFL team---at least not yet.
Haven't we been on this merry-go-round before? After the championship season of 2007, it was an off-season that saw Kent Austin, Kerry Joseph, Fred Perry and Reggie Hunt leave. Many believed the team's good fortunes were over after just one year. The team did just fine in 2008 if you excuse the Michael Bishop fiasco. The 2008 off-season saw Anton McKenzie, Maurice Lloyd and Richie Hall leave. Once again, disaster was predicted and we all know what happened. This off-season has seen Eric Tillman, John Chick, LaPolice and Baggs leave. Guess what? Chances are this team will be fine. As much as I love Rider fans for their passion, I laugh at them for their negativity. Can we not go through an off-season and consider the glass to be half-full instead of half-empty? Does it always have to be this way? Have we not learned from the past? Yes, this team has been hit hard, but that is going to happen when you are successful. If no one was raiding our available players and coaches, it would mean you're not a very good organization. The Riders are a good organization. They have taken punches before and they have survived.
The loss of Chick and Baggs means players like Willie Evans, Joe Sykes and Mike Stadnyk will get a chance. Guys will be brought in. Perhaps free agency will bring someone here.
As for who replaces LaPolice, I have no idea. Would Marcus Crandell be considered the favourite? One name I'd like to throw out there, but I don't think he will come is Dave Dickenson. I'm guessing he is pegged to be Calgary's O-C after George Cortez left. Perhaps the best answer is to have Ken Miller serve as O-C and head coach. Remember he was the O-C in 2007.
The positives with this football club far outweigh the negatives. They will be fine!
-----
One more thing. In an eight team CFL, the Riders stamp is all over the head coaching ranks. Richie Hall, Marcel Bellefeuille, and LaPolice are all former Rider assistants. What does that say about the organization? Teams know where to come when looking for someone to run their team. That's very flattering if you ask me.
-----
Ilya Kovalchuk is a Devil. If you ask me, Atlanta got fleeced on this deal big-time. I guess it will depend on what type of draft picks Atlanta gets and what type of NHL'er Patrice Cormier will be. Johnny Oduya and Niclas Bergfors? That's all Atlanta could pry out of New Jersey. They couldn't get Travis Zajac or David Clarkson? They couldn't get Matt Halischuk? Is this really the best deal they could have gotten or could Boston, Chicago or Los Angeles have come up with something better. I think Don Waddell panicked here and sold Kovalchuk to the first bidder. Edmonton could have offered up Tom Gilbert and Andrew Cogliano and draft picks and it would have been a better deal. If you are a Devils fan, you have to like your top six forwards now. They have once again become a legitimate Cup contender.
By the way, Waddell said Kovalchuk turned down a 12 year, 101 million dollar contract. You gotta have a set of you know whats to turn that down. It only begs the question what Kovalchuk will ask for when he does become a free agent. I can't see any team giving Kovy that type of money and I can't see him being signed for 12 years either. That might be the only good thing here for the Thrashers. Locking Kovalchuk in for 12 yers at 8.4 million a year would have been a huge cap headache in a few years.
-----
Amber Holland's Scotties is done. She split her games on the last day to finish with a record of 6-5, but that wasn't good enough. Amber let a couple of games get away from her in Sault Ste. Marie and you just can't let that happen. At the start of the week, Holland along with BCs Kelly Scott, Team Canada's Jennifer Jones and Ontario's Krista McCarville were expected to challenge for the title. Scott, Jones and McCarville are all there and one of those three will likely win it. As good as PEI has been all week(they are easy on the eyes aren't they), their inexperience will likely cost them before all is said and done.
----
Did anyone see the Jim Pankiw press conference in Saskatoon? WTF?? Who would vote for this guy? The Leader-Post had the conference on their website. I don't know if they still do. Speaking of websites, if you want to see a good website, check out Global Regina's new one at www.globalregina.com. Its not as good as the LP's, but its definitely number 2 when it comes to local news. Hey, its even got the blog of Derek "Just call me Duke" Meyers and that's a must read for me on most days. CBC's would be a close 3rd.
------
Who's the better team right now? Is it the Senators or Capitals?
-----
The head of the NFL players association says you can expect a lockout in 2011. That's not news this football fan wants to hear.
-----
Another member of the Canadian junior team has been suspended for a head shot. This time its defenceman Marco Scandella. I've seen this hit a few times and I'm OK with it. Maybe I'm desensitized to some of the other hits I've seen in recent months, but this one didn't turn my stomach the way the Cormier one did. What are your thoughts?
-----
Speaking of the juniors, the 2011 pools are now known. Canada will be grouped with Russia, the Swedes, Czechs and Norway. The U-S will be in the other pool with Finland, Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland. The tournament will be in Buffalo if you didn't know.
-----
UFC wants to have Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell step into the octagon for a 3rd time against one another when they make their first ever stop in Vancouver--that happens in June. Is that a selling card?
-----
The Pats are home tonight to Saskatoon and tomorrow to Kootenay. They looked tired on Tuesday against the Rebels, but every team must be tired at this time of year. You simply can't afford to lose opportunities at points at home. The Blades and Ice are both very tough, but there aren't many easy ones to finish off the year. In fact, when you are fighting for your playoff lives, there are no easy ones.
-----
As you begin your Friday, here's a question for you....
Whatever happened to preparations A through G?
Have a good one!
Haven't we been on this merry-go-round before? After the championship season of 2007, it was an off-season that saw Kent Austin, Kerry Joseph, Fred Perry and Reggie Hunt leave. Many believed the team's good fortunes were over after just one year. The team did just fine in 2008 if you excuse the Michael Bishop fiasco. The 2008 off-season saw Anton McKenzie, Maurice Lloyd and Richie Hall leave. Once again, disaster was predicted and we all know what happened. This off-season has seen Eric Tillman, John Chick, LaPolice and Baggs leave. Guess what? Chances are this team will be fine. As much as I love Rider fans for their passion, I laugh at them for their negativity. Can we not go through an off-season and consider the glass to be half-full instead of half-empty? Does it always have to be this way? Have we not learned from the past? Yes, this team has been hit hard, but that is going to happen when you are successful. If no one was raiding our available players and coaches, it would mean you're not a very good organization. The Riders are a good organization. They have taken punches before and they have survived.
The loss of Chick and Baggs means players like Willie Evans, Joe Sykes and Mike Stadnyk will get a chance. Guys will be brought in. Perhaps free agency will bring someone here.
As for who replaces LaPolice, I have no idea. Would Marcus Crandell be considered the favourite? One name I'd like to throw out there, but I don't think he will come is Dave Dickenson. I'm guessing he is pegged to be Calgary's O-C after George Cortez left. Perhaps the best answer is to have Ken Miller serve as O-C and head coach. Remember he was the O-C in 2007.
The positives with this football club far outweigh the negatives. They will be fine!
-----
One more thing. In an eight team CFL, the Riders stamp is all over the head coaching ranks. Richie Hall, Marcel Bellefeuille, and LaPolice are all former Rider assistants. What does that say about the organization? Teams know where to come when looking for someone to run their team. That's very flattering if you ask me.
-----
Ilya Kovalchuk is a Devil. If you ask me, Atlanta got fleeced on this deal big-time. I guess it will depend on what type of draft picks Atlanta gets and what type of NHL'er Patrice Cormier will be. Johnny Oduya and Niclas Bergfors? That's all Atlanta could pry out of New Jersey. They couldn't get Travis Zajac or David Clarkson? They couldn't get Matt Halischuk? Is this really the best deal they could have gotten or could Boston, Chicago or Los Angeles have come up with something better. I think Don Waddell panicked here and sold Kovalchuk to the first bidder. Edmonton could have offered up Tom Gilbert and Andrew Cogliano and draft picks and it would have been a better deal. If you are a Devils fan, you have to like your top six forwards now. They have once again become a legitimate Cup contender.
By the way, Waddell said Kovalchuk turned down a 12 year, 101 million dollar contract. You gotta have a set of you know whats to turn that down. It only begs the question what Kovalchuk will ask for when he does become a free agent. I can't see any team giving Kovy that type of money and I can't see him being signed for 12 years either. That might be the only good thing here for the Thrashers. Locking Kovalchuk in for 12 yers at 8.4 million a year would have been a huge cap headache in a few years.
-----
Amber Holland's Scotties is done. She split her games on the last day to finish with a record of 6-5, but that wasn't good enough. Amber let a couple of games get away from her in Sault Ste. Marie and you just can't let that happen. At the start of the week, Holland along with BCs Kelly Scott, Team Canada's Jennifer Jones and Ontario's Krista McCarville were expected to challenge for the title. Scott, Jones and McCarville are all there and one of those three will likely win it. As good as PEI has been all week(they are easy on the eyes aren't they), their inexperience will likely cost them before all is said and done.
----
Did anyone see the Jim Pankiw press conference in Saskatoon? WTF?? Who would vote for this guy? The Leader-Post had the conference on their website. I don't know if they still do. Speaking of websites, if you want to see a good website, check out Global Regina's new one at www.globalregina.com. Its not as good as the LP's, but its definitely number 2 when it comes to local news. Hey, its even got the blog of Derek "Just call me Duke" Meyers and that's a must read for me on most days. CBC's would be a close 3rd.
------
Who's the better team right now? Is it the Senators or Capitals?
-----
The head of the NFL players association says you can expect a lockout in 2011. That's not news this football fan wants to hear.
-----
Another member of the Canadian junior team has been suspended for a head shot. This time its defenceman Marco Scandella. I've seen this hit a few times and I'm OK with it. Maybe I'm desensitized to some of the other hits I've seen in recent months, but this one didn't turn my stomach the way the Cormier one did. What are your thoughts?
-----
Speaking of the juniors, the 2011 pools are now known. Canada will be grouped with Russia, the Swedes, Czechs and Norway. The U-S will be in the other pool with Finland, Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland. The tournament will be in Buffalo if you didn't know.
-----
UFC wants to have Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell step into the octagon for a 3rd time against one another when they make their first ever stop in Vancouver--that happens in June. Is that a selling card?
-----
The Pats are home tonight to Saskatoon and tomorrow to Kootenay. They looked tired on Tuesday against the Rebels, but every team must be tired at this time of year. You simply can't afford to lose opportunities at points at home. The Blades and Ice are both very tough, but there aren't many easy ones to finish off the year. In fact, when you are fighting for your playoff lives, there are no easy ones.
-----
As you begin your Friday, here's a question for you....
Whatever happened to preparations A through G?
Have a good one!
Riders Need New O-C
Paul Lapolice is now the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Ed Tait from the Winnipeg Free Press has the story.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Call-LaPolice-the-Bomber-head-coach-83546637.html
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Call-LaPolice-the-Bomber-head-coach-83546637.html
Baggs Signs With Cardinals
The Riders have lost both of their book-end defensive ends to the NFL. As you know John Chick signed with the Colts, and now Stevie Baggs has inked a one year deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
CFL All-Decade Team
A couple of days ago, the NFL released its all-decade team. You can check that out at
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35174124/ns/sports-nfl/.
I asked if the CFL had done an all-decade team and I couldn't find one. I figured I'd take a shot at it. Agree or disagree with this.
QB-Anthony Calvillo
RB-Joffrey Reynolds, Charles Roberts
WR-Ben Cahoon, Geroy Simon, Milt Stegall, Jermaine Copeland
OL-Gene Makowsky, Scott Flory, Brian Chiu, Jay McNeil, Jude St. John
DL-Brent Johnson, Doug Brown, Joe Montford, Joe Fleming
LB-Mike Fletcher, Reggie Hunt, Kevin Eiben
DB-Eddie Davis, Omarr Morgan, Barron Miles, Byron Parker, Orlando Steinhauer
Returner-Corey Holmes
Punter-Paul McCallum
Kicker-Damon Duval
Take a shot at it and see what you come up with. Some positions are easier than others.
-----
Could Paul LaPolice be moving on? Sportsnet is reporting this morning the Bombers have offered LaPo the job of head coach. Many believe LaPolice is the heir apparent to Ken Miller here. What'cha going to do Lapo? If you head to Winnipeg, best of luck--except for two weeks in September of course!! :)
-----
Rider offensive lineman Joel Bell recently worked out for the Cowboys. He was great last year after he arrived. Losing him would be huge.
-----
The Broncos and Warriors both lost last night which was good news for Regina, but Prince Albert beat Saskatoon. It means the Pats are now seven back of the 8th place Warriors. Considering Moose Jaw's dominance over Regina this year, the Pats might very well look back at year's end at their games against the Warriors and the lack of success they had as a reason why they are on the outside looking in. What is sad is the Warriors are an up and coming team while Regina is a team with three first rounders on it.
----
Amber Holland needs a pair of wins today at the Scotties to get into the playoffs. She will play the Territories and Alberta. The Yukon/NWT has been tough at this event as they have beaten Krista McCarville of Ontario and defending champ Jennifer Jones.
-----
Where's Kovalchuk going? There are several teams said to be interested. What does Atlanta want in return is the question? I see him ending up with a team that feels Kovy is the final piece to the puzzle. Chicago?? Would you be surprised if Detroit ended up with him to further strengthen that lineup? Would Pittsburgh be interested? How about Colorado?
----
The Senators have won 10 in a row? The Oilers have won two in a row?
----
As you head into your day, ask yourself this...
If "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence? Think about it!
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35174124/ns/sports-nfl/.
I asked if the CFL had done an all-decade team and I couldn't find one. I figured I'd take a shot at it. Agree or disagree with this.
QB-Anthony Calvillo
RB-Joffrey Reynolds, Charles Roberts
WR-Ben Cahoon, Geroy Simon, Milt Stegall, Jermaine Copeland
OL-Gene Makowsky, Scott Flory, Brian Chiu, Jay McNeil, Jude St. John
DL-Brent Johnson, Doug Brown, Joe Montford, Joe Fleming
LB-Mike Fletcher, Reggie Hunt, Kevin Eiben
DB-Eddie Davis, Omarr Morgan, Barron Miles, Byron Parker, Orlando Steinhauer
Returner-Corey Holmes
Punter-Paul McCallum
Kicker-Damon Duval
Take a shot at it and see what you come up with. Some positions are easier than others.
-----
Could Paul LaPolice be moving on? Sportsnet is reporting this morning the Bombers have offered LaPo the job of head coach. Many believe LaPolice is the heir apparent to Ken Miller here. What'cha going to do Lapo? If you head to Winnipeg, best of luck--except for two weeks in September of course!! :)
-----
Rider offensive lineman Joel Bell recently worked out for the Cowboys. He was great last year after he arrived. Losing him would be huge.
-----
The Broncos and Warriors both lost last night which was good news for Regina, but Prince Albert beat Saskatoon. It means the Pats are now seven back of the 8th place Warriors. Considering Moose Jaw's dominance over Regina this year, the Pats might very well look back at year's end at their games against the Warriors and the lack of success they had as a reason why they are on the outside looking in. What is sad is the Warriors are an up and coming team while Regina is a team with three first rounders on it.
----
Amber Holland needs a pair of wins today at the Scotties to get into the playoffs. She will play the Territories and Alberta. The Yukon/NWT has been tough at this event as they have beaten Krista McCarville of Ontario and defending champ Jennifer Jones.
-----
Where's Kovalchuk going? There are several teams said to be interested. What does Atlanta want in return is the question? I see him ending up with a team that feels Kovy is the final piece to the puzzle. Chicago?? Would you be surprised if Detroit ended up with him to further strengthen that lineup? Would Pittsburgh be interested? How about Colorado?
----
The Senators have won 10 in a row? The Oilers have won two in a row?
----
As you head into your day, ask yourself this...
If "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence? Think about it!
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