Trying To Iron Out Details On WC Junior "A" Championship

If you haven't heard, the four winners of the Western Canadian Junior A leagues, (BC, Alberta, Sask and Manitoba) along with a host team will compete in a Western championship starting next season. It means the end of BC and Alberta teams battling for the Doyle Cup and Saskatchewan and Manitoba teams vying for the ANAVET Cup.

The first WC will go in Nanaimo next season, but it seems as if there are some details that need to be worked out.

NHL Three Stars For March

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the month of March.

FIRST STAR – ILYA BRYZGALOV, G, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Bryzgalov went 10-2-1 with a 1.43 goals-against average, .947 save percentage and League-high four shutouts as the Flyers (46-24-9, 101 points) moved within one point of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the fourth seed, and home-ice advantage, in the Eastern Conference. He won his first seven starts of the month and became the first Flyer to pick up four shutouts in a five-game span. Bryzgalov recorded three consecutive blank sheets March 8-13 and set a franchise record with a 249:43 shutout streak. In total, he allowed two goals or fewer in 11 of 13 starts. The Togliatti, Russia native is 32-15-7 with a 2.46 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and six shutouts in 57 appearances.

SECOND STAR – EVGENI MALKIN, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Malkin led all skaters with 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 15 games to help the Penguins (48-25-6, 102 points) complete an 11-3-1 month and remain fourth in the Eastern Conference. The 25-year-old recorded points in 12 of 15 contests, including seven multi-point efforts. Malkin posted his fourth five-point game of the season with two goals and three assists March 20 against the Winnipeg Jets, making him the first NHL player to record five or more points at least four times in one season since 1995-96. The 2008-09 Art Ross Trophy winner leads the League with 104 points and ranks second with 48 goals, a career high, in 72 games. He has 3-6—9 during a five-game point streak that dates to March 25.

THIRD STAR – RYAN MILLER, G, BUFFALO SABRES

Miller compiled a 10-3-2 record with a 2.17 goals-against average, .930 save percentage and two shutouts as the Sabres (38-31-10, 86 points) pulled within two points of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. He won five straight starts March 19-27 and went 10 consecutive games without suffering a regulation defeat (March 7-27, 8-0-2). The 2009-10 Vezina Trophy winner is 30-20-7 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in 59 games, and has established a career high with six shutouts. He is 19-5-5 and has five shutouts in his last 29 decisions dating to Jan. 24.

NHL Three Stars Of Week

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds, Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara and Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the week ending April 1.

FIRST STAR – WAYNE SIMMONDS, RW, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Simmonds scored in four straight games, totaling five goals and one assist as the Flyers (46-24-9, 101 points) moved within one point of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the fourth seed, and home-ice advantage, in the Eastern Conference. He scored once in a 5-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning March 26, recorded two goals and an assist in a 7-1 victory at the Toronto Maple Leafs March 29, deflected a shot in off his face in a 4-3 shootout loss against the Ottawa Senators March 31 and closed the week with a goal in a 6-4 triumph at the Pittsburgh Penguins April 1. In his first season with the Flyers, the 23-year-old has established career highs in goals (27) and points (48) in 79 games.

SECOND STAR – ZDENO CHARA, D, BOSTON BRUINS

Chara tied for League lead with seven assists as the Bruins (47-28-4, 98 points) earned seven out of eight points to clinch their third Northeast Division title in the last four seasons and the second seed in the Eastern Conference. He collected three assists in a 5-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning March 27, one helper in a 3-2 shootout loss against the Washington Capitals March 29, two assists in a 6-3 win at the New York Islanders March 31 and his 40th assist of the season in a 2-1 victory at the New York Rangers April 1. The 2008-09 James Norris Memorial Trophy winner has 12-40—52 in 77 games, and has established career highs in assists and points.

THIRD STAR – MIKE SMITH, G, PHOENIX COYOTES

Smith posted two shutouts in two starts as the Coyotes (39-27-13, 91 points) won both of their games to remain in the hunt for the Pacific Division title. He stopped 38 shots in a 2-0 victory against the San Jose Sharks March 29 and made 44 saves in a 4-0 win against the Anaheim Ducks March 31. Smith hasn’t allowed a goal in 139:59 dating to March 24. The 30-year-old is 35-18-10 with a 2.29 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and seven shutouts in 64 appearances, and has established career highs in wins, shutouts and games played.

Three Pats To Finish Season In AHL

The Regina Pats have announced that three of their players will see their season continue in the American Hockey League.

Jordan Weal has been called up by the Manchester Monarchs (LA Kings affiliate), Colton Jobke is off to Houston (Minnesota Wild affiliate) and Martin Marincin has been assigned to Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers affiliate).

WHL Round 2 Playoff Sked

HUSKY EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS

EDMONTON (1) vs. BRANDON (6)
(Series I)

Game 1 - Fri Apr 6 7:00 PM Brandon at Edmonton
Game 2 - Sat Apr 7 6:00 PM Brandon at Edmonton
Game 3 - Tues Apr 10 7:00 PM Edmonton at Brandon
Game 4 - Wed Apr 11 7:00 PM Edmonton at Brandon
Game 5 - Fri Apr 13 8:00 PM Brandon at Edmonton
Game 6 - Sun Apr 15 6:00 PM Edmonton at Brandon
Game 7 - Wed Apr 18 7:00 PM Brandon at Edmonton


MOOSE JAW (2) vs. MEDICINE HAT (4)
(Series J)

Game 1 - Fri Apr 6 7:00 PM Medicine Hat at Moose Jaw
Game 2 - Sat Apr 7 7:00 PM Medicine Hat at Moose Jaw
Game 3 - Tues Apr 10 7:00 PM Moose Jaw at Medicine Hat
Game 4 - Wed Apr 11 7:00 PM Moose Jaw at Medicine Hat
Game 5 - Fri Apr 13 7:00 PM Medicine Hat at Moose Jaw
Game 6 - Sun Apr 15 6:00 PM Moose Jaw at Medicine Hat
Game 7 - Tues Apr 17 7:00 PM Medicine Hat at Moose Jaw


KAL TIRE WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS

TRI-CITY (1) vs. SPOKANE (5)
(Series K)

Game 1 - Fri Apr 6 7:05PM Spokane at Tri-City
Game 2 - Sat Apr 7 7:05PM Spokane at Tri-City
Game 3 - Wed Apr 11 7:05PM Tri-City at Spokane
Game 4 - Fri Apr 13 7:05PM Tri-City at Spokane
Game 5 - Sat Apr 14 7:05PM Spokane at Tri-City
Game 6 - Mon Apr 16 7:05PM Tri-City at Spokane
Game 7 - Wed Apr 18 7:05 PM Spokane at Tri-City

PORTLAND (2) vs. KAMLOOPS (3)
(Series L)

Game 1 - Fri Apr 6 7:00PM Kamloops at Portland (MC)
Game 2 - Sat Apr 7 7:00PM Kamloops at Portland (MC)
Game 3 - Tues Apr 10 7:00PM Portland at Kamloops
Game 4 - Wed Apr 11 7:00PM Portland at Kamloops
Game 5 - Sat Apr 14 7:00PM Kamloops at Portland (RG)
Game 6 - Mon Apr 16 7:00PM Portland at Kamloops
Game 7 - Wed Apr 18 7:00PM Kamloops at Portland (MC)

Reviewing Wrestlemania

IF NOT A WRESTLING FAN, DON'T BOTHER CONTINUING


I admit it. I am a wrestling geek. I have loved professional wrestling ever since the days of the Hart family, JR Foley, Bad News Allan, Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith and Makhan Singh in Stampede Wrestling. That translated to the WWE and you know I'm highly entertained by the local product "High Impact Wrestling". The WWE held its signature pay per view Sunday night as the 28th edition of Wrestlemania was held. I've been able to catch all 28 WM's on the day of the event and this year was no different as the stars of the WWE did their thing from the home of the Miami Dolphins--Sun Life Stadium.

Here are some thoughts on the event

--Having Sheamus and Daniel Bryan compete in a match that was less than 30 seconds was wrong. This was a heavyweight championship battle. You have to give a fight like that substantially more time especially when you give Brodus Clay (aka: The Funkasaurus) five minutes to do his ridiculous thing. The Funkasaurus is horrible and I wish his character would go the way of the brontosaurus. Seeing him dance with his "momma" and her bridge club for 5 minutes was painful. Nauseating and painful. Unless Bryan is about to be suspended for 30 days for a substance abuse violation, there is no reason to have had this match go less than a minute.

--Did anyone think Cody Rhodes would beat "The Big Show". The way Rhodes portrayed the over 7  foot tall Big Show as nothing but someone to bring the laughts at Wrestlemania, you knew Show would win.

--I don't know exactly what Beth Phoenix had on her head, but somewhere Princess Kate Middleton was         envious.

     --Kelly Kelly is one of the hottest women on the planet! She helped sell TV show host Maria Menounos to a win over Phoenix in a tag-team match. There was nothing to complain about in Menounos' ring attire either. In fact, hats off to her for taking some bumps when she allegedly has two broken ribs. I thought she might get 15-20 seconds of ring time. She got a lot more than that and she took some abuse too.

   --Who decided on the WM lineup and why did the Undertaker-Triple H match go so early. I would have had it as the 2nd to last match on the card. That match was supposed to be a legendary one and one that would have people talking for a long time when it was over. They succeeded as the Undertaker is now 20-0 at Wrestlemanias. Is he done now? I doubt it.

  --I thought Team Johnny vs Team Teddy would be lame. I was right.

  --The WWE has killed the Zack Ryder character and Eve Torres assured us of that with her kick between the uprights. What's the deal with that storyline anyhow. DUMB!

 --There was no emotion in the Punk-Jericho match until the final 5 minutes. This match should have gone where the Triple H-Taker match went in the card.

--The Miami crowd loved "The Rock" and hated John Cena. The main event could have been better, but give credit Cena for putting the former WWE star over for 40 minutes. You could tell he wasn't used to the regimen of being a WWE athlete as he was sucking air. Cena also laid down for him as the Rock got the three count. In one way it surprised me because a former star who will be leaving again soon beat a current superstar while in another way it didn't because if the Rock was coming back, you would think he had it written somewhere that he wins. What will the WWE do with Cena now? We will find out tomorrow night on RAW, but I'm thinking he may turn into a heel.

---That was quite the outfit that the singer from MGK had on. I was thinking wardrobe malfunction and why couldn't Kelly Kelly have something like that?

--I hope all Canadians that watched and that love wrestling had a toast for "Iron" Mike Sharpe. If you are old enough to remember wrestling in the late 80's and 90's, you will remember Canada's greatest athlete doing his thing on "Maple Leaf Wrestling". He was the best of the shock absorbers.

--Speaking of shock absorbers, I hope those at High Impact Wrestling look at the Sheamus/Bryan match and decide to put Rex Roberts in the ring for 16 seconds or less. That's a win-win for everybody.

--Rumours throughout the day had former WWE and UFC star Brock Lesnar making an appearance. Was that true? He was apparently in Miami and I had heard he was trying to negotiate a deal with WWE officials, but that deal apparently didn't happen. Will he show up at Monday Night Raw?

All in all, it wasn't the worst WM I've seen, but it wasn't the best either. Next year's event is April 7, 2013 in New York City. Yes, I have it marked down on my calendar because I won't miss it. I am sad that way. I admit it.

WestJet Comes Through

Remember the date that you found this out on. Well done Westjet!