Tuesday CFL Notebook

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has re-signed pending free agent quarterback Matt Nichols. The seven-year veteran was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

Nichols was acquired in a trade with Edmonton in September, and started seven games in 2015 with Winnipeg, going 149-248 for 1,757 yards, and tossing ten touchdowns. In nine games with Edmonton prior to the trade, he completed 128-of-209 passes for 1,488 yards with eight touchdowns. He finished fifth in the CFL with 3,245 yards, and 18 touchdown passes in 2015.

(Winnipeg Blue Bombers)

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Chris Williams, who led the REDBLACKS with 1,214 reception yards and 88 catches in 2015, will return to Ottawa in 2016 after agreeing to a contract extension.
The 28-year-old New Mexico State grad joined the REDBLACKS as a free agent last April, a welcome addition to a fleet of new receivers, which included Ernest Jackson, Greg Ellingson, Brad Sinopoli and Maurice Price.

Williams was one of four Ottawa receivers — Jackson, Sinopoli and Ellingson the others — who recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in 2015, becoming only the third group of four receivers on one team in CFL history to accomplish the feat.

(Ottawa REDBLACKS)

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NHL Three Stars Of Week

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 3.

FIRST STAR – JONATHAN QUICK, G, LOS ANGELES KINGS

Quick went 4-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, .968 save percentage and one shutout to help the Pacific Division-leading Kings (25-11-2, 52 points) extend their winning streak to five games. He stopped all 27 shots he faced to record his 40th career shutout (and third this season) in a 5-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Dec. 28. In doing so, Quick tied John Vanbiesbrouck (Detroit, Mich.) and Frank Brimsek (Eveleth, Minn.) for the most shutouts by a U.S.-born goaltender in NHL history. He followed that performance with 42 saves in a 5-2 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers Dec. 29. Quick then closed the week by allowing one goal in a pair of wins, making 23 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Dec. 31 and a 29 saves in a 2-1 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers Jan. 2. The 29-year-old Milford, Conn., native ranks second in the NHL with 22 wins in 32 appearances this season (2.12 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO), including five straight victories and a 12-2-0 record in his past 14 outings.

SECOND STAR – SHANE DOAN, RW, ARIZONA COYOTES

Doan led the NHL with five goals in three games to power the Coyotes (18-16-4, 40 points) to three of a possible six standings points. He opened the week with his second career hat trick – and first since Jan. 7, 2012 vs. NYI – in a 7-5 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Dec. 29. Doan then scored twice in a 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 31. In doing so, Doan – who has spent his entire NHL career with the Coyotes/Jets – moved past Dale Hawerchuk (379) and into sole possession of first place for the most goals in franchise history (381). He finished the week without a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers Jan. 2. The 39-year-old Halkirk, Alta., native paces the Coyotes with 13 goals in 29 games this season (13-6—19) and also leads the club with six power-play goals.

THIRD STAR – KRIS LETANG, D, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Letang led all defensemen with 2-4—6 in three games to propel the Penguins (19-15-4, 42 points) to five out of a possible six standings points. After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Dec. 30, he posted a pair of three-point performances: 2-1—3 in a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Dec. 31 and 0-3—3 in a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders Jan. 2. In doing so, Letang collected consecutive three-point games for the second time in his career and first time since Feb. 11-12, 2012 (3-3—6). The 28-year-old Montreal native shares third on the Penguins and paces the club’s defensemen with 3-19—22 in 29 games this season. His average of 0.76 points per game ranks eighth among NHL blueliners in 2015-16.

Zack Evans Re-Signs In Ottawa

Defensive lineman Zack Evans has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
The 25-year-old Regina native recorded a career-high seven sacks in 2015, tied for second on the team, and had 17 tackles.

Evans also scored a touchdown on a memorable play in July at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, rumbling untouched for a 66-yard score after intercepting an errant shovel pass by quarterback Matt Nichols.

Evans, who had been eligible for free agency next month, joined the REDBLACKS prior to the inaugural 2014 season after being selected in the 2013 CFL Expansion Draft from the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I’m very happy to continue my career in Ottawa,” said Evans. “I love the city and the REDBLACKS fans, who remind me a lot of the fans in Regina. I’m looking forward to getting back on the field next season and helping the team take that next step, winning a Grey Cup.”

Prior to Ottawa, Evans signed with the Riders in 2012 as a territorial exemption after playing junior football for the Regina Thunder.

Something To "Mitch" About

The autopsy started as the final horn started on Saturday in Helsinki. Canada, for the first time in a long time, did not advance to the semi-finals at the World Juniors. Why?  There are a multitude of reasons as to what happened with the biggest one continuing to be there is a mindset in this country that there is no one better than Canada when it comes to junior hockey and that simply is no longer the case. Yes, the Canadian Hockey League is the best developmental league in the world, but when you see the rosters of the various European and US teams you see that many of those players come from the Ontario, Quebec and Western Hockey Leagues. The game is no longer ours which sucks if you are Canadian, but great for the world.

Just before the tournament started, I spoke with Rogers Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino. Like many of us, he thought Canada was good enough to play for a medal, but he also cautioned that there were many good teams and Canada would have to be on the top of their game because this might be the most competitive tournament from top to bottom. Sam wasn't wrong!

Right from the get-go, I didn't like the look of Team Canada and I was somewhat surprised when TSN's Craig Button in a pre-tournament special picked Canada to win. On opening day, Canada got beat by an American team that was far superior and it showed. You shouldn't struggle to beat Switzerland and Denmark, but this team did for whatever reason. The chemistry wasn't there.

The goaltending was not adequate, there was no 2nd or 3rd line presence and Jake Virtanen, who was brought in to do what Curtis Lazar did last year, had a terrible tournament. That being said, if it wasn't for a very unfortunate delay of game penalty on Joe Hicketts. Canada might well have playing in the semis as they played their tail off in the quarter-final loss to Finland.

There is no need to over-analyze this performance as sooner or later this was going to happen. Does the formula need to be tweaked somewhat with the event back on Canadian soil next year. I don't know if it does. Put the blame on coaching, put the blame on the players or do both, but this didn't come as a surprise to me because the rest of the world has caught up. Once Canadian hockey fans realize that, they will see this isn't the tragedy it is being made to be.

I also think Ron Wilson has most Canadian hockey fans hoping the U-S finishes 4th.

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The fans have spoken in the NHL and when it comes to the all-star game, they should not have the opportunity to speak loudly again. The inclusion of Arizona tough guy John Scott as a "team captain" is a joke and it is all because of fan balloting. John Scott doesn't need to give up his role at the game and I am sure it will be an experience of a lifetime for him as he rubs shoulders with the game's greats, but his presence will mean someone who should be there isn't and isn't that what the NHL wants? Here's hoping Scott doesn't embarrass himself at the 3 on 3 spectacle, here's hoping that for fun, someone drops the gloves with him and here's hoping the NHL decides to limit just how much say the fans have in this process as they have failed the game.

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Steve Yzerman has a nice little trade card to dangle in Jonathan Drouin. The 3rd overall draft pick in 2013 has been a bust and he wants out of Tampa. What can Yzerman get for him and what will he look for in return? One would have to think goal-starved teams like Nashville and New Jersey would be interested and I would have to wonder if the Calgary Flames might want to kick the tires and give them another forward who could be a top 6.  One would have to think now that his agent has said Drouin wants out that it won't be long before he is dealt, but Travis Hamonic has been looking to get out of Long Island for a while and that isn't happening.

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Plans kept me from seeing UFC 195. It sounds like the main event between Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit was one I should have seen and by the sounds of it, there will be a rematch. Are there too many rematches happening in UFC. We know we will see another Rousey-Holm matchup and it sounds like another Aldo-McGregor bout will be coming. The rematches are great, but they stifle the progress of others in the division and I wonder what it does for PPV numbers. Obviously not a lot when it comes to the last point otherwise they wouldn't be happening.

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If the Pittsburgh Steelers go a long ways in the NFL playoffs, one can go no further than thanking Ryan Fitzpatrick. What an awful 4th quarter by the Jets quarterback.  The Jets have no one to blame but themselves for not being in the Super Bowl party.

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Peyton Manning will lead the Denver Broncos into the playoffs. Are we looking at one more Brady vs Manning battle?

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Seattle vs Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs. I'll take that!

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After some one-sided efforts in the Dec 31 and January 1 US College Football bowl games, Oregon and TCU along with West Virginia and Arizona State treated us to some damn fine action on Saturday.

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If the Saskatchewan Rush wanted to get started on the right foot and get people's attention, you can't go wrong in beating a Calgary team to get things started.  My Twitter feed Saturday night and into Sunday had a lot of excitement for the Rush's opening night win over Calgary. I am guessing that will translate into what should be an exciting evening at SaskTel Centre.

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Toronto has issued an extreme cold alert at minus 15 degrees celsius. My god, how will they cope!

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

USA Coach Ron Wilson Slams Canadian Junior Team

As Team USA prepared for its semifinal match against Russia, coach Ron Wilson took a few minutes to offer his opinion on Canada's unexpected exit from the world junior hockey championship.

“That’s the nature of this tournament,” said Wilson, ex-coach of the Maple Leafs. “It doesn’t matter who you are, or what your history is as a nation.”

From Wilson’s perspective, Canada took too many penalties, not only all tournament long but in particular its 6-5 quarter-final loss to Finland. The Finns scored three times on the powerplay, including the winner.

“That’s the one thing you can’t do,” said Wilson. “You can’t play Finland in Finland — a decent team — and you’re spending all the time in the penalty box.

“I talked to (Canadian coach) Dave Lowry about that: ‘Dave, you’re better than Finalnd, but Finland has the best power play in the tournament. Why would you put yourself in a position to have to kill any penalties?’ If a guy slaps you back, you just have to turn and skate away.”

Canada was the second most penalized team in the tournament, taking 25 minor penalties over five games, and had the worst penalty killing record.

The Americans, by contrast, are the least-penalized team in the tourament, with 14 minors taken, and have failed to kill only one penalty.

“You have to be disciplined,” said Wilson. “That’s what everybody said coming in. That’s what everybody warns you about. We’ve set out not to take penalties and so far we’ve been pretty good at it.

“You can’t talk back. You can’t involved after whistles. When you’re risking all for the sake of a penalty to feel a little bit better about yourself, oftentimes you’re going to end up feeling bad about yourself when you’re picking your skates up after the game and counting the penalties.”

As for what’s in store, Wilson said he doesn’t know very much about the Russian team.

“We got to play our game,” said Wilson. “The mood of the team is very good. We’ve just got to show up and play. So far it’s worked.”

(Canadian Press)

Canada's WJHC Is Over

Mackenzie Blackwood said it all in a single expression.

When asked how he felt about the wild 6-5 quarter-final loss to Finland that eliminated Canada from the world junior hockey championship Saturday, the goaltender took a deep breath, exhaled, then loudly swore.

"Terrible," said Blackwood after a pause. "It’s the worst thing ever, losing.

"I hate it. Just gotta learn from it and move on."

Mitch Marner’s two power-play goals in the third period weren’t enough as Canada finished lower than fourth at the annual event for the first time since 1998. Canada’s record in the preliminary round — a win, a shootout win and two regulation losses — left it sixth in the final standings.

"We could have definitely won gold," said Blackwood. "We get a different outcome from this game and it’s just another one-game elimination which is the tough part of this tournament."

Travis Konecny, Dylan Strome and Lawson Crouse also scored for Canada. Blackwood made 23 saves.

Patrik Laine struck twice for Finland, including the power-play winner with 5:50 remaining. Antti Kalapudas, Aleksi Saarela, Julius Nattinen and Sebastian Aho also scored.

Veini Vehvilainen stopped 9-of-12 shots before being pulled near the midway point of the game. Kaapo Kahkonen turned aside 20 shots in relief.

Canada led 2-0 before Laine scored with 11.3 seconds left in the first. At the second intermission the Canadians trailed 4-3.

Marner tied it 4-4 on a power play early in the third. Captain Bradyen Point passed to Marner as both came down the right side, with Point then going hard to the net. Marner’s shot then bounced past Kahkonen, tucking just inside the far post.

Aho knocked in a rebound just a minute later to put Finland back ahead 5-4.

Marner kept Canada alive with another power-play goal. Point carried the puck behind Finland’s net then skated out to the face-off circle, passing back to Marner as two defenders came in on the Canadian captain. Marner gathered the puck, skated half a step out of the reach of a Finnish defender and snapped a wrist shot into the top corner of Finland’s goal to tie it 5-5.

Three penalties — two to Virtanen and one to Hicketts — cost Canada, with Laine blasting a slapshot into the Canadian net for a 6-5 Finnish lead.

"It hurt, that’s for sure," said defenceman Thomas Chabot. "We took a two-goal lead, they came back, we scored another goal. We showed our character all game long, we never gave up. But when they made it 6-5 with little time left, it’s the one thing we didn’t want to happen. But it’s part of the game.

(Canadian Press)

This and That

--Happy New Year everyone!  Here's hoping you didn't do anything radically stupid to end your 2015 as a new year is upon us. It will be a monumental year in Rider Nation as that little jewel on Elphinstone Street will be ready for usage. While the Riders will not officially move into their new digs until the start of the 2017 season, it will be incredible when the doors finally open for the first event of the new Mosaic. What will that event be? I have heard many things from a Rams game to a rock concert. Who knows, but we eagerly await the arrival of the new Mosaic and what it has to offer while enjoying one last season of football at the old Mosaic.

--Should John Chick be worried about his future with the Riders? Number 97 appeared on the Sportscage with Luc Mullinder and myself on Tuesday as he promoted his new venture--JC Crossfit. I asked John about his thoughts over what had transpired in the month of December, and he said what many of us have. That is the organization from Craig Reynolds right down to the fans deserved better than 3-15, and he is excited at the direction they are going with him hoping to be a part of it. While that sentence didn't catch me completely off guard, I was caught off guard when Chick said he hasn't spoken to Chris Jones yet. I would have thought that would have happened shortly after Jones took the job over. I think John did too. Yes, Chick is getting up there in age as he is and will be 33 when training camp starts,  but there is still some gas in that tank. Does Jones want Chick to empty that tank out in Saskatchewan? The Rider Nation hopes the answer is yes, but methinks Big John might be a little worried about his football future in Saskatchewan.

--Did anyone notice over the holidays when both TSN and Sportsnet were running their plays of the year that TSN had something Sportsnet didn't and that was CFL highlights. TSN's top 100 plays had several CFL installments in them including the Chad Owens one handed catch in Ottawa, Ryan Smith climbing the ladder to make a catch at Mosaic against the Argos and the memorable Greg Ellingson TD in the Eastern final. What did Sportsnet have? Zilch, zippo, zero!

The argument was made why should Sportsnet publicize the CFL when they don't own the rights. That is a valid statement, yet Sportsnet is telling listeners to go online for World Junior Hockey Coverage and there are highlights on Connected and Sportsnet doesn't have the rights for that event.  Say what you will, but the CFL still struggles for legitimacy in its own country with a major sports network---a major sports network which likely has no interest in being involved with the CFL for many years because of their massive NHL contract.

 The CFL is not in a good spot right now and needs to find ways to get Canadians invested in the game again. TV numbers are down, attendance is down, the interest is dwindling for various reasons. Steps need to be taken and a new logo won't do the trick. Luc suggested TSN needs to do a better job of promoting its property and treat the CFL the way it does the World Juniors and other events it has. I can't argue with him on that. TSN does a good job with the CFL, but they could do so much more.

Does Jeffrey Orridge have a desire to sit down with TSN and Sportsnet brass to discuss this or not? He should if you ask me.

--CFL.ca Canadian college draft expert Justin Dunk informed the CFL universe of players to watch during US College Football bowl games and he gave Rider fans a little trinket by letting them know Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is on the Riders neg list. Mayfield will be an NFL quarterback in my opinion and will never ever set foot in Saskatchewan. If he does, he could be another Drew Tate as he seems to have the same demeanour as the former Iowa Hawkeye who now backs up Bo Levi Mitchell in Calgary. He's a little quirky, but he's awfully good too. I see him being a mid to late round pick in the NFL draft if he declares and comes out early. If not, he can come back next year with the thought being his Sooners could once again be in the national championship discussion.  Mayfield's didn't look very good against Clemson though and Alabama proved all their doubters wrong (including me) by just beating up Michigan State. You would be hard pressed to think Alabama won't have the trophy in their hands late on the night of January 11.

--The annual slate of US Bowl games on New Year's Day weren't very dramatic, but if you watched the Rose Bowl you saw a huge game from Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey. He might be the best college football player I have ever seen. His performance all year was special and whether he not he used the "didn't win the Heisman Trophy" card as motivation for his performance in Pasadena is not known, but Iowa simply didn't stand a chance.

--As we rang in 2016, CTV Regina had an E-talk special with Adele while Global Regina had the movie "Good Will Hunting" on. While other networks had special New Years programming whether it be Dick Clark's show or something else, Canada's main two TV networks just took a "MEH" approach to it all.  Where was the Global Niagara Falls New Year's Eve show that has been on the past number of years.

--The 100th Grey Cup was on ESPN Classic over the holidays. The Argos won the game under head coach Scott Milanovich and assistants Chris Jones, Mike O'Shea and Jason Maas. It is safe to say that is one of the better coaching staffs we have seen in recent memory in the CFL as all four are now head coaches as you know.

--December 30 is a dark day in the world of hockey. It was on December 30, 1986 that the bus carrying the Swift Current Broncos to a game in Regina went off the highway near the city into the ditch and flipped over. Four players---Trent Kresse, Chris Mantyka, Brent Ruff and Scott Kruger were all killed. It was something no one could fathom and it is something that thankfully has not repeated itself on a Canadian highway. With all of the hockey teams and other teams that travel by bus, it says something about the bus drivers who get these kids/athletes to and from their destination safely. That effort can never ever be underestimated especially on a cold winter night when the snow is blowing across the highway and conditions are less than ideal.  May we never, ever have another incident like what happened on that terrible December evening 29 years ago and may we never, ever forget the four young Broncos who had their lives and their careers ended way too soon.

--Week 17 NFL Lock of the Week --- Broncos over Chargers
--Week 17 NFL Upset of the Week -- Bills over Jets

--Did anyone in Regina get any money from Mark Zuckerberg. CMON PEOPLE!!! It amazed me how many people actually fell for that by posting it on Facebook, The old phrase "There's a sucker born every minute definitely holds true."

--With all apologies to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are "Canada's Team". The Blue Jays were Canada's team from July 1 on in 2015. When I stop seeing the /=S=/ being worn at events and places around the world, then I will consider it. I didn't see anyone wearing a Jays uniform at the World Juniors, but there was a guy sitting behind one of the benches with a Riders jersey on. I still don't and never will understand why people feel the need to wear the jersey at a sporting event that is not a football game, but whatever. It makes me want to wear a hockey jersey to a Riders game and see the strange look you would get from people as to why you would do that. It just reinforces how "unique" and passionate the fan-base is here.

--How are the Saskatchewan Rush going to fare? We will find out starting Saturday night when they play their first game against the Calgary Roughnecks in Calgary. I have heard nothing about ticket sales for this team. Are they good? The Rush have done a good job of getting the word out there so here is hoping Saskatoon and Saskatchewan fans support this team. I have never been to an NLL game, but people in Calgary and Edmonton have told me its a good time.

--Enjoy the day and the rest of the weekend!