Chris Osgood will never, ever be confused for Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo but when the chips are down, this guy is just as good as any goalie in the NHL. Osgood turning in one of his best ever playoff performances as Detroit takes a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference final with a 3-2 overtime win. Mikael Samuelsson got the winner, but it was the Detroit goalie who was the hero. He made several big saves, and as a result, Detroit is in a position now to likely advance to the Cup final. As good as Chicago is, I can't see them beating Detroit four times in the next five games.
When you think of Osgood you don't make comparisons to Brodeur or Luongo, but one can not look past the playoff resume he has built. He hasn't been flashy, but he has been effective. In the playoffs, he is arguably the best goaltender to play. Something about the second season allows this guy to turn it up a notch or two. It just asks these questions about him 1) Is he a hall-of-famer when his career is over especially if he backstops this team to the title and 2) Is he a candidate for the 3rd Canadian goaltender in Vancouver. Right now, one would have to say the honours would go Brodeur, Luongo and Ward but could Osgood get in there because of his playoff mentality.
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It was a nothing game for the Kelowna Rockets at the Memorial Cup. They know they will play in Sunday's final. Windsor wants to join them there, but the Ontario champs knew they had to beat the Rockets to have a chance at that. Windsor had more to play for and they get the win beating Kelowna 2-1. The win means Windsor will play the loser of the Drummondville-Rimouski game in a tiebreaker game. The winner of that game moves into the semi-final.
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I like the NBA draft lottery. Any team not making the playoffs has the chance at picking number 1. The better they are, the less chance they have but all teams have a shot. As a result, the Los Angeles Clippers who had the 3rd best opportunity of winning had their ping-pong ball come out meaning they will likely take Oklahoma's Blake Griffin with the first pick. Toronto will pick number 9, but they had a chance at landing the first overall selection. This is now the NHL should do it as well. A team like the Oilers has no chance at getting the number one pick even though they didn't make the playoffs, while it is almost a certainty that the worst team in the regular season will get that first choice. Its a formula the NHL needs to change.
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Rider fans continue to wonder about Matt Dominguez and whether or not he will sign a new contract with the team before training camp begins. Its hard to say whether that will happen and if it does what role "88" will have this year. Meanwhile, another former Rider receiver continues to look for work. What has happened to D-J Flick??? He is a free agent and its obvious the Riders have no interest in him, but I find it hard to believe no other team doesn't want him either. This is a guy who has 1-thousand yard seasons under his belt. My only guess is that broken ankle is still giving him problems. I wonder if he will pop up on a roster anytime soon.
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The Riders plaza of honor recipients for this year will be named later today. I wonder what former greats will be inducted as one of the all-time greats. Over 100 players are currently in the Plaza. I know who one of the inductees will be and while I won't say who he was, Rider fans I think will react favourably to it. (No, its not 747 Adams...where is he anyhow I wonder!! Probably dead!)
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Michael Vick gets out of prison this week and it has everyone wondering when and if he will make a return to the NFL. Some ask if he even should be allowed back in the league after serving his time for a dogfighting conspiracy. He has paid his debt to society and he should be allowed to continue his career but I wonder what type of reaction he will get and if he is even close to being the player he was when he left. Someone will take a gamble on him----as long as its not the Seahawks. Imagine if he went to Cleveland. (Think about that one for a while!!)
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The best story in sports today might be what is being called "The Denver Debacle". Vince MacMahon is getting a lot of free publicity after it was learned WWE Raw was scheduled to go at Denver's Pepsi Center this Monday but now that can't happen because of Game 4 of the NBA West final between the Lakers and Nuggets. McMahon has had the building booked for quite a while and he is pissed. He should be. However, Vince is missing out on having a really big show Monday. He talks about having his two hour extravaganza in a parking lot somewhere in Denver if he has to. Why not seeing if he can hold the event right next door to the Pepsi Centre at Invesco Field or on the other side of downtown Denver and have it at Coors Field. An outdoor show on Memorial Day evening would pack in a lot of people and likely give Vince more money than a show at the Pepsi Center. I'm guessing a few "heels" will come out wearing L-A Lakers jerseys on Monday. Stay tuned!!!
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The 2013 Super Bowl is going to New Orleans. Hard to believe the NFL's big game has not been in the big easy since 2002.
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I still can't see why anyone would find a Big Mac Wrap appetizing!!!!
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Blue Jays fans---ask yourself this question today. Who is the team MVP so far??? Roy Halladay or Aaron Hill. Tough choice!!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Warren Moon Book Looks Like A Must-Read
Moon autobiography refreshingly honest, includes warts and all
The Edmonton Journal
Sports Byline: Dan Barnes
There is a distinctly American perception of Warren Moon that doesn't quite jibe with ours.
"When you think of Warren Moon, you think of 71,000 yards, no Super Bowl and you think of that night. Unfortunately, a lot of people do," said former sports writer and Sports Illustrated associate editor Don Yaeger.
When Edmonton sports fans of a certain vintage think about Moon, they focus on five straight Grey Cup titles, a Schenley Award, induction in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and on the Eskimo wall of honour.
Given all that he accomplished in Green and Gold, that night isn't top of mind.
It was July 18, 1995, and its events led to Moon's arrest on a charge of domestic abuse. Moon's then-wife Felicia refused to testify against him at the 1996 trial and he was acquitted after a jury deliberated for 27 minutes. She consistently stated he was trying not to hurt her as they wrestled on the floor of their Missouri City, Texas, house after she hit him in the back of the head with a candle holder during a dispute over her credit card spending.
Moon's recollections of that sorry episode form the basis of a telling chapter in his autobiography, Never Give Up on Your Dream, which was written with Yaeger and is due for release on the Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend in August.
Entitled Not Perfect, the chapter assumes the reader knows something about that night and begins with a mea culpa.
"Both privately and publicly I have expressed regret and remorse for exposing my four children to this inexcusable behaviour," he writes.
It falls woefully short of a restated apology to Felicia and that is curious, but the chapter stands out primarily for its inclusion in the 272-page memoir and was intended to do just that.
"It was the chapter he was most engaged in," said Yaeger, who has written 15 other books, including Walter Payton's autobiography.
"One of the interesting things about Warren, he'd had opportunities to do previous autobiographies, but didn't feel comfortable with the structure proposed or whatever it was. One thing I am good at is getting them to say, 'Here I am, warts and all.' "Unfortunately so many autobiographies are glowing and leave out large chunks of life when things aren't going well." That night hastened the end of their 20-year marriage and embarrassed Warren, Felicia and their children. Things could not have been going much worse. Though the ratio of explanation to apology in that chapter is out of whack, and he takes a couple of gratuitous swipes at media coverage of the affair, Not Perfect and another chapter called More Relaxed, which delves into his recent attendance in therapy, are testament to Moon's honest approach with the book. That it was exhaustively researched is a credit to Yaeger, who was particularly thorough when it came to the events of July 18, 1995.
"I talked to everyone in the house that night," Yaeger said Monday from his consulting office in Tallahassee, Fla.
"I also talked to his brother and sisters and mother. I talked to a lot of people with whom he interacted during that time." One of them was Felicia. In the book, a since remarried Moon touches on his relationship with his ex-wife.
"Now, in no way can I justify the way that I acted toward her, and I'm not trying to. But Felicia and I have remained good friends even after our divorce, because we have a tremendous respect for each other.
I try to point this out whenever anyone tries to paint me as a monster that attacked my spouse." It sounds like something divorced celebrities say about one another, but it's apparently true.
"Absolutely," said Yaeger, "and that kind of blew me away a bit. She's way beyond it. She was there for the Hall of Fame induction. She is as great a fan as he could have." There is plenty on the pages for Moon fans who want to know about his Pop Warner days in Los Angeles and the ins and outs of contract negotiations with Houston, and Edmontonians will delight in his treatment of our city.
But the lifeblood of a good autobiography is honesty and this book delivers. It isn't merely a recitation of Moon's all-time quarterbacking stats, the well-documented issue of race, or a litany of locker-room anecdotes strung together to preserve his legacy as a Hall of Famer in two countries. Though the challenges of his starry CFL/NFL career are covered, Yaeger gets Moon to go so much further that we actually meet the man we have known mostly as a player.
Due to circumstance, Moon's story was 21/2 years in the writing, since Yaeger was concurrently working on two other books, including one detailing the Duke lacrosse rape case. He is equally proud of this one.
"I'd put this book right there at the very top with Walter Payton and books like Duke lacrosse. They're social fabric books, they're not just autobiographies. That's what Warren wanted. It was an opportunity to do something that had a larger context."
The Edmonton Journal
Sports Byline: Dan Barnes
There is a distinctly American perception of Warren Moon that doesn't quite jibe with ours.
"When you think of Warren Moon, you think of 71,000 yards, no Super Bowl and you think of that night. Unfortunately, a lot of people do," said former sports writer and Sports Illustrated associate editor Don Yaeger.
When Edmonton sports fans of a certain vintage think about Moon, they focus on five straight Grey Cup titles, a Schenley Award, induction in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and on the Eskimo wall of honour.
Given all that he accomplished in Green and Gold, that night isn't top of mind.
It was July 18, 1995, and its events led to Moon's arrest on a charge of domestic abuse. Moon's then-wife Felicia refused to testify against him at the 1996 trial and he was acquitted after a jury deliberated for 27 minutes. She consistently stated he was trying not to hurt her as they wrestled on the floor of their Missouri City, Texas, house after she hit him in the back of the head with a candle holder during a dispute over her credit card spending.
Moon's recollections of that sorry episode form the basis of a telling chapter in his autobiography, Never Give Up on Your Dream, which was written with Yaeger and is due for release on the Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend in August.
Entitled Not Perfect, the chapter assumes the reader knows something about that night and begins with a mea culpa.
"Both privately and publicly I have expressed regret and remorse for exposing my four children to this inexcusable behaviour," he writes.
It falls woefully short of a restated apology to Felicia and that is curious, but the chapter stands out primarily for its inclusion in the 272-page memoir and was intended to do just that.
"It was the chapter he was most engaged in," said Yaeger, who has written 15 other books, including Walter Payton's autobiography.
"One of the interesting things about Warren, he'd had opportunities to do previous autobiographies, but didn't feel comfortable with the structure proposed or whatever it was. One thing I am good at is getting them to say, 'Here I am, warts and all.' "Unfortunately so many autobiographies are glowing and leave out large chunks of life when things aren't going well." That night hastened the end of their 20-year marriage and embarrassed Warren, Felicia and their children. Things could not have been going much worse. Though the ratio of explanation to apology in that chapter is out of whack, and he takes a couple of gratuitous swipes at media coverage of the affair, Not Perfect and another chapter called More Relaxed, which delves into his recent attendance in therapy, are testament to Moon's honest approach with the book. That it was exhaustively researched is a credit to Yaeger, who was particularly thorough when it came to the events of July 18, 1995.
"I talked to everyone in the house that night," Yaeger said Monday from his consulting office in Tallahassee, Fla.
"I also talked to his brother and sisters and mother. I talked to a lot of people with whom he interacted during that time." One of them was Felicia. In the book, a since remarried Moon touches on his relationship with his ex-wife.
"Now, in no way can I justify the way that I acted toward her, and I'm not trying to. But Felicia and I have remained good friends even after our divorce, because we have a tremendous respect for each other.
I try to point this out whenever anyone tries to paint me as a monster that attacked my spouse." It sounds like something divorced celebrities say about one another, but it's apparently true.
"Absolutely," said Yaeger, "and that kind of blew me away a bit. She's way beyond it. She was there for the Hall of Fame induction. She is as great a fan as he could have." There is plenty on the pages for Moon fans who want to know about his Pop Warner days in Los Angeles and the ins and outs of contract negotiations with Houston, and Edmontonians will delight in his treatment of our city.
But the lifeblood of a good autobiography is honesty and this book delivers. It isn't merely a recitation of Moon's all-time quarterbacking stats, the well-documented issue of race, or a litany of locker-room anecdotes strung together to preserve his legacy as a Hall of Famer in two countries. Though the challenges of his starry CFL/NFL career are covered, Yaeger gets Moon to go so much further that we actually meet the man we have known mostly as a player.
Due to circumstance, Moon's story was 21/2 years in the writing, since Yaeger was concurrently working on two other books, including one detailing the Duke lacrosse rape case. He is equally proud of this one.
"I'd put this book right there at the very top with Walter Payton and books like Duke lacrosse. They're social fabric books, they're not just autobiographies. That's what Warren wanted. It was an opportunity to do something that had a larger context."
Monday, May 18, 2009
25 Years Ago Tonight
If you are a true Edmonton Oilers fan like me, I should not have to tell you what happened 25 years ago tonight. It was May 19, 1984 at Northlands Coliseum. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the New York Islanders 5-2 to win the first of what would be many Stanley Cups. What an evening it was. The torch had been passed from one dynasty to another. It was the first of a run that would see some incredible numbers put up as the Oilers won the Cup in 84, 85, 87,88 and again in 1990. Of course they came close a couple of years ago only to have Cam Ward and the Carolina Hurricanes end the hopes of a 6th Cup residing in Northern Alberta.
Of course right now, Ward is trying to help bring the Hurricanes a 2nd Stanley Cup, but he failed to get the win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final. The Penguins beating Carolina 3-2, but Pittsburgh finding out that you can't call it a victory until the final buzzer sounds. Up 3-1 late in the game, the Canes got it to a one goal deficit on a goal by Joe Corvo and they just about tied it as Marc Andre Fleury made a tremendous save on Eric Staal in the last 30 seconds to preserve the win.
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The Kelowna Rockets are one win away from making sure the Memorial Cup comes back to the Western Hockey League for the 3rd straight year. Kelowna beat Drummondville 6-4 thanks to Jamie Benn. He had four goals and was a goal post away from adding a 5th. The Rockets are 2-0 and advance because those two wins have come against Rimouski and Drummondville who are both 1-1. It makes their game against Windsor tomorrow meaningless. To the Spitfires though it is huge as they must win or else its tournament over time.
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The number one pick overall in the WHL bantam draft--Weyburn's Derrick Pouliot-- has signed with the Portland Winter Hawks. Pouliot played for Weyburn in the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League last season. In 26 regular season games Pouliot registered 25 goals and a team-high 38 assists for 63 total points, second on his team and sixth in the league. If I remember right, he will play for the Moose Jaw midget Warriors next season.
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I'm a little disappointed over the news Tony Kornheiser is not returning to Monday Night Football. I like Kornheiser. He and Wilbon make a great pair on Pardon the Interruption. The reason why Kornheiser is stepping down is because like John Madden he doesn't like to travel by plane and said after three years of criss-crossing America that its time to step aside. His replacement is a guy that I can't see being a fixture in the booth--Jon Gruden. It will be interesting to see how "Chucky" makes out. He was with the NFL network for the draft and I thought he was pretty good. The question now is "Does Tampa make any Monday night appearances this year??"
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Baseball appears to have listened. They are going to start World Series games earlier. Instead of starting at 830 Eastern time, they will now start just before 6 o'clock. It would be nice if Saturday games were played during the day. I would like to see Sunday's game played in the daylight as well, but there is no way MLB is going to compete with an NFL regular season Sunday. That would simply be suicide.
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Its great to hear that a second Applebees is coming to Regina. It will be where the old Kelseys was at the Southland Mall. The first one has been a huge success with one of the major complaints being wait times. That problem should be alleviated. BTW---why can't Regina have an Outback Steakhouse. I'm just asking.
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Its also great to hear that a Toronto-Regina direct flight by Westjet will be offered all year long now. I, and many others, think it is so stupid to fly to Calgary first when coming from Eastern Canada before going to Regina. It just doesn't make sense. And hey...this means no stopping at the Winnipeg airport which may be Canada's most boring airport. Like really, get your Tim Hortons coffee and wait for your connector. YAWWWWWNNNNNN!!! Oh wait, you can go in the arcade and play an NBA pinball game that has the Vancouver Grizzlies in it. OH BOY!!! Those from out of Regina might say the Regina airport is pretty boring as well and yeah it probably is but I wouldn't know since I get my luggage and get out when there.
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When buying milk, do I have to look at the side of the carton to see if anyone knows where summer has disappeared to. This is simply ridiculous. A couple of nice days followed by temperatures that get below freezing at night.
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It will be interesting to see what happens next Monday night in Denver. You see the Pepsi Center has been double-booked. Not only is Game 5 of the NBA West final between the Nuggets and L-A Lakers scheduled for that night but so is Monday Night RAW. Neither side is backing down. Here's the story from ESPN with comments from Vince himself. If you are a WWE fan, note who the anchor is......
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4176082
This could be very interesting!!!
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Time to go watch that Oilers-Islanders game from 1984. It was on the DVD of 10 best Oiler games in history that I received at Christmas. A fine, fine watch indeed!!!!
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Do You Remember This Idiot??
I ran upon a story talking about celebrities botching the national anthem (American or Canadian) on canoe.ca this morning. Coming in at number 2 after the Roseanne Arnold "rendition" of the Star Spangled Banner in which she spit and grabbed her crotch is the guy that absolutely butchered O Canada before a Rider-Las Vegas Posse game in 1994. Do you remember this???
I was working in Peace River, Alberta at the time and had been golfing in a celebrity golf tournament in a nearby town called Fairview. I wanted to watch the football game so I left the clubhouse after the dinner and made the short trek to the hotel. I had time to have a shower before the game started and had just gotten out when this started. I started thinking to myself that this wasn't close to O'Canada but maybe just maybe I had one too many cold ones on the course and wasn't hearing right. Not until the next morning did I hear the backlash that had started. Seriously, how bad is this!!!!
I was working in Peace River, Alberta at the time and had been golfing in a celebrity golf tournament in a nearby town called Fairview. I wanted to watch the football game so I left the clubhouse after the dinner and made the short trek to the hotel. I had time to have a shower before the game started and had just gotten out when this started. I started thinking to myself that this wasn't close to O'Canada but maybe just maybe I had one too many cold ones on the course and wasn't hearing right. Not until the next morning did I hear the backlash that had started. Seriously, how bad is this!!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
There Is No Better Than Halladay
This guy is the best pitcher in baseball. There is no argument. Roy Halladay just gets the job done. "Doc" had a tough start against the Chicago White Sox giving up two in the first inning, but he settled down and was his normal brilliant self as Toronto beat the White Sox 8-2. Halladay is now 8-1 on the season---he is the first pitcher to hit the eight win mark and in all nine starts this season, he has reached the 7th. Once again, this guy is the best pitcher in the game. There was talk going into the season that Halladay would be trade bait as his contract runs out at the end of the 2010 season. There is no way the organization will let this guy get away. In fact, you can break the bank for someone of his calibre. As it stands right now, Halladay is helping this team stay in front in the American League East. With each passing day, they are making believers of people. Perhaps this team is ready to compete with the Red Sox, Rays and Yankees and this week's three game series in Boston will say a lot about the team, but one thing that can't be done is even considering a trade for him, unless of course its to the Cubs. Here's a question for you Blue Jays fans. Who has been the best pitcher this organization has seen---is it Halladay or Dave Stieb. Stieb was good, Stieb was damn good, but I don't think he was in the class of Halladay. One other thing when it comes to Halladay. Why is it we don't see this guy in any ad campaigns. He is Toronto's most marketable athlete and he is the best sports figure in Toronto today. Again, there is no argument. Chris Bosh...NO!! Any member of the Leafs---NO!!, Dwayne De Rosario---NO!! It is Halladay.
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It was only one game, but the Detroit Red Wings taught the Chicago Blackhawks a thing or two in Game 1 of the Western Conference final. The Wings handily taking the opener 5-2. After going through a gruelling seven game series with Anaheim, the young Hawks had a chance here to take one from a Detroit team that may not have been ready to compete with the slick-skating Hawks but after a slow first 10 minutes, Detroit got their game back and when they did, it was all over.
I can't believe how many people are just giving the Eastern Conference final to the Penguins. Some think Sid, Geno and company will win in four straight. I say HUH??!! Cam Ward is once again proving himself, Paul Maurice is showing that once he is out of Toronto that he is a good coach, Eric Staal is showing why he is considered as one of the top players in the game and there are many, many players on that Hurricanes team that remembers the thrill of winning the Stanley Cup. I think this team finds a way to slow down the potent Pittsburgh offence and with Ward leading the way, they beat the Penguins.
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The Windsor Spitfires went into the Memorial Cup as the favourites, but the Ontario champs are now 0-2 after losing 5-4 to the host Rimouski Oceanic. Windsor will need a better job from goalie Andrew Engelage. He's been rather Donald Choukalos like for Windsor. I apologize to all Pats fans for mentioning the name Donald Choukalos. He was to the Pats what Michael Bishop was to the Riders. OK you're right, Choukalos wasn't that bad!!! Tonight, Kelowna plays Drummondville--both teams won their opener.
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How many of you went stateside this weekend??? The next time you go you had better have a passport. I can't believe that you now need a passport just to head to Minot for the weekend. STOO-PID!!!!! That being said, I guess I had better get one now then.
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The final "24" is tonight. I have loved this season. Jack is dying. Jack can't die!!! He won't die!!! I don't know how he will survive the poison that is flowing through his body, but he will dammit because he is Jack Bauer!!!!
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Besides being an excellent tour guide in Montreal, CTV Regina's J-C Garden is without a doubt the best dressed TV newsman out there. The competition isn't close.
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I watched the movie "Taken". Lets just put it this way, if you have a choice between this one and another thriller go with the other one. I like the plot, but Liam Neeson's character doesn't really face any obstacles to get to his goal---it comes way too easy for him and once you see it if you do, you will see what I mean.
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The 6-49 jackpot is $49 million this Wednesday. I may have to buy a couple of extra tickets.
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If Winnipeg was to get their NHL team back, what would it do for TV? A friend of mine told me today the Flames and Oilers would not want to split their pie on Sportsnet. You would have to think Winnipeg would get a lot of games on Sportsnet West at the expense of Calgary and Edmonton. Would Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver also get their you know what in a knot when it came to not getting as many doubleheader games on HNIC. Hmmmm!!!!
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Saturday, May 16, 2009
Halfway Home
Hard to think that the battle for the Stanley Cup is only at the midway mark. The Canes, Penguins, Wings and Hawks have all given a lot already and they still have a lot more that has to be given if they want to hoist hockey's holy grail. I don't know about you, but I think these playoffs have been great compared to some other years. There have been a lot of good series and I think both conference finals will be good as well.
I love the way Chris Osgood described Chicago after polishing off Anaheim the other night. He told Elliotte Friedman, "They're young, they're fast, they show no fear." BINGO!!! Some think the torch in the Western Conference is about to be passed. I'm not so sure of that. Take nothing away from Chicago because they are good, but I think they still need to learn a thing or two in the playoffs and Detroit will play the role of the professor. I'll take Detroit to win this one.
As for the East final between the Canes and Penguins, I think Carolina can use the same formula to beat Pittsburgh that they did to beat Boston. That is just to skate, skate, skate and outwork the Penguins. I also think Cam Ward will out perform Marc-Andre Fleury. In fact, the Carolina goalie might be the favourite when it comes to the Conn Smythe Trophy--especially if they move on to the finals.
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I wonder what the people of Winnipeg are thinking today after hearing Gary Bettman say he would rather see the Coyotes head there than go to Southern Ontario. I would absolutely love to see the Jets re-incarnated. It would mean the end of the Moose, but I think Winnipeggers would understand. My allegiances would remain with the Oilers, but I would love to see Winnipeg get a 2nd shot. Hey Atlanta got one and so did the Twin Cities so why not. I would love to know what Bettman says about Jim Balsillie when the doors are closed. Give Balsillie credit as he is not letting his dream die, but Bettman just keeps throwing obstacle after obstacle at him.
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Drummondville beat Windsor 3-2 in overtime at the Memorial Cup meaning they join Kelowna atop the ladder. The Spitfires come in as the heavy favourite, but they looked nothing like the best team of the four at the tournament in this one.
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I don't care what anyone says, Tumblers is still the best pizza in Regina.
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The Jays can win high scoring games and they proved yesterday they can win the low scoring ones as well. I wonder when Toronto will wake up and actually see that one of their teams is winning.
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I really hope the Houston Rockets can complete an upset of the L-A Lakers today. Seeing Kobe on the sidelines would be outstanding. Seeing Kobe have an off game and then go to the sidelines would make it even sweeter.
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I saw a guy in Regina today driving a truck with a Detroit Lions licence plate. That takes a lot of guts!!! Then again the truck could have been stolen and he doesn't know about it. Yeah, who would want to steal a truck with a Lions plate on it.
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Would the Canucks really trade Roberto Luongo??? If they do, don't expect the Sedins to be in Canuck uniforms next year either.
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I really don't understand why Rider fans are worked up over the Kitwana Jones trade. He wasn't going to be a starter and there's no guarantee he would have made the team. Everyone was up in arms over the Fred Perry trade last year and now he's in Winnipeg. They were also up in arms over the Kerry Joseph trade(OK, I didn't like that one either) and look at the season he had. Just a message for the Rider nation----RELAX!!!!!!
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With Wayne Smith now out for the season, will a call be made to Mike Abou-Mechrek??
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Who catches more passes in 09 from Rider quarterbacks---Jason Clermont or Andy Fantuz?
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I really, really hope TSN isn't showing empty seats at the Brandt Centre when the World Juniors hit but I'm starting to wonder.
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Someone really needs to explain the allure of camping to me. Watching paint dry would be better times for this guy. My definition of camping---an air conditioned hotel room, cable TV and an indoor pool. A good hotel lounge doesn't hurt either.
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I love the way Chris Osgood described Chicago after polishing off Anaheim the other night. He told Elliotte Friedman, "They're young, they're fast, they show no fear." BINGO!!! Some think the torch in the Western Conference is about to be passed. I'm not so sure of that. Take nothing away from Chicago because they are good, but I think they still need to learn a thing or two in the playoffs and Detroit will play the role of the professor. I'll take Detroit to win this one.
As for the East final between the Canes and Penguins, I think Carolina can use the same formula to beat Pittsburgh that they did to beat Boston. That is just to skate, skate, skate and outwork the Penguins. I also think Cam Ward will out perform Marc-Andre Fleury. In fact, the Carolina goalie might be the favourite when it comes to the Conn Smythe Trophy--especially if they move on to the finals.
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I wonder what the people of Winnipeg are thinking today after hearing Gary Bettman say he would rather see the Coyotes head there than go to Southern Ontario. I would absolutely love to see the Jets re-incarnated. It would mean the end of the Moose, but I think Winnipeggers would understand. My allegiances would remain with the Oilers, but I would love to see Winnipeg get a 2nd shot. Hey Atlanta got one and so did the Twin Cities so why not. I would love to know what Bettman says about Jim Balsillie when the doors are closed. Give Balsillie credit as he is not letting his dream die, but Bettman just keeps throwing obstacle after obstacle at him.
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Drummondville beat Windsor 3-2 in overtime at the Memorial Cup meaning they join Kelowna atop the ladder. The Spitfires come in as the heavy favourite, but they looked nothing like the best team of the four at the tournament in this one.
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I don't care what anyone says, Tumblers is still the best pizza in Regina.
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The Jays can win high scoring games and they proved yesterday they can win the low scoring ones as well. I wonder when Toronto will wake up and actually see that one of their teams is winning.
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I really hope the Houston Rockets can complete an upset of the L-A Lakers today. Seeing Kobe on the sidelines would be outstanding. Seeing Kobe have an off game and then go to the sidelines would make it even sweeter.
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I saw a guy in Regina today driving a truck with a Detroit Lions licence plate. That takes a lot of guts!!! Then again the truck could have been stolen and he doesn't know about it. Yeah, who would want to steal a truck with a Lions plate on it.
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Would the Canucks really trade Roberto Luongo??? If they do, don't expect the Sedins to be in Canuck uniforms next year either.
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I really don't understand why Rider fans are worked up over the Kitwana Jones trade. He wasn't going to be a starter and there's no guarantee he would have made the team. Everyone was up in arms over the Fred Perry trade last year and now he's in Winnipeg. They were also up in arms over the Kerry Joseph trade(OK, I didn't like that one either) and look at the season he had. Just a message for the Rider nation----RELAX!!!!!!
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With Wayne Smith now out for the season, will a call be made to Mike Abou-Mechrek??
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Who catches more passes in 09 from Rider quarterbacks---Jason Clermont or Andy Fantuz?
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I really, really hope TSN isn't showing empty seats at the Brandt Centre when the World Juniors hit but I'm starting to wonder.
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Someone really needs to explain the allure of camping to me. Watching paint dry would be better times for this guy. My definition of camping---an air conditioned hotel room, cable TV and an indoor pool. A good hotel lounge doesn't hurt either.
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The EskiRiders??
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, SUN MEDIA
The more he's in Edmonton, the more it must seem like Eskimos head coach Richie Hall feels right back home in Saskatchewan.
The longtime Roughriders defensive co-ordinator was reunited with veteran defensive end Kitwana Jones in a trade late Thursday that sent Eskimos quarterback Juan Joseph to the Riders
"He's a big hitter. He's a very emotional player. He plays with one speed out on the football field. He's a team player and does whatever it takes to win," said Hall, who took over the Eskimos head coaching duties in January.
"I was talking to him (the other) night and he said, 'Coach, I'll run through a brick wall for you.'
"That's the kind of player that you want."
The move marks the third player from Hall's 2008 squad to rejoin him in Edmonton this season.
The Eskimos have already picked up middle linebacker Maurice Lloyd and defensive back Scott Gordon in free agency.
But the coach said it's just coincidence they all happen to be part of his old defence.
"I think it's always coincidence because going in, you never thought you had the opportunity to obtain these players," said Hall.
"Free agency is so fickle because the players have the final say where they want to go.
"You can always want trades, but they've got to fall in line with what everyone else is thinking.
"I think we're very fortunate to be able to get the guys we got. It's just a matter of us upgrading our football team."
In Jones, the benefit lies not only in his ability to play both linebacker and defensive end, but also in a familiarity with Hall and his systems.
"When you look at how we utilized him in the past, it's been in both situations.
"There's a certain amount of familiarity in that," said Hall.
"He's familiar with our scheme and the things we want to try to do.
"Our job is to put him in the best position to make plays and try to capitalize and to exploit his attributes and that's getting after the quarterback."
The six-foot, 232-pound Jones led the Roughriders with five sacks last year and had 55 defensive tackles and four fumble recoveries, including two for touchdowns.
On the flip side, Joseph signed with the Eskimos in March from Millsaps College, where he threw for 3,463 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions in his senior year.
The rookie pro joins Darian Durant, Steven Jyles and Dalton Bell on Saskatchewan's quarterback depth chart.
Hall said he isn't surprised the Roughriders were interested in Joseph.
"Any time that you're looking for a quarterback you try to take any good one that you can because you're trying to find that diamond in the rough," said Hall.
"Edmonton's kind of been a factory over the years as far as dishing out quarterbacks. In Saskatchewan, I remember going a number of years where we were trying to find a quarterback.
"You can never have enough young quarterbacks in this league because it's such a quarterback-driven league."
The more he's in Edmonton, the more it must seem like Eskimos head coach Richie Hall feels right back home in Saskatchewan.
The longtime Roughriders defensive co-ordinator was reunited with veteran defensive end Kitwana Jones in a trade late Thursday that sent Eskimos quarterback Juan Joseph to the Riders
"He's a big hitter. He's a very emotional player. He plays with one speed out on the football field. He's a team player and does whatever it takes to win," said Hall, who took over the Eskimos head coaching duties in January.
"I was talking to him (the other) night and he said, 'Coach, I'll run through a brick wall for you.'
"That's the kind of player that you want."
The move marks the third player from Hall's 2008 squad to rejoin him in Edmonton this season.
The Eskimos have already picked up middle linebacker Maurice Lloyd and defensive back Scott Gordon in free agency.
But the coach said it's just coincidence they all happen to be part of his old defence.
"I think it's always coincidence because going in, you never thought you had the opportunity to obtain these players," said Hall.
"Free agency is so fickle because the players have the final say where they want to go.
"You can always want trades, but they've got to fall in line with what everyone else is thinking.
"I think we're very fortunate to be able to get the guys we got. It's just a matter of us upgrading our football team."
In Jones, the benefit lies not only in his ability to play both linebacker and defensive end, but also in a familiarity with Hall and his systems.
"When you look at how we utilized him in the past, it's been in both situations.
"There's a certain amount of familiarity in that," said Hall.
"He's familiar with our scheme and the things we want to try to do.
"Our job is to put him in the best position to make plays and try to capitalize and to exploit his attributes and that's getting after the quarterback."
The six-foot, 232-pound Jones led the Roughriders with five sacks last year and had 55 defensive tackles and four fumble recoveries, including two for touchdowns.
On the flip side, Joseph signed with the Eskimos in March from Millsaps College, where he threw for 3,463 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions in his senior year.
The rookie pro joins Darian Durant, Steven Jyles and Dalton Bell on Saskatchewan's quarterback depth chart.
Hall said he isn't surprised the Roughriders were interested in Joseph.
"Any time that you're looking for a quarterback you try to take any good one that you can because you're trying to find that diamond in the rough," said Hall.
"Edmonton's kind of been a factory over the years as far as dishing out quarterbacks. In Saskatchewan, I remember going a number of years where we were trying to find a quarterback.
"You can never have enough young quarterbacks in this league because it's such a quarterback-driven league."
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