Category: Sports

Now We Suck The Same As The Argos

Canadian Football League ball with transparent...

Week 10 in the CFL is now in the record book, and what a week it was.  Labour Day weekend and all its rivalries, the end of summer, the start of let’s get serious football, the halfway point of the season.  There was a twist this year as the Toronto Argonauts vs the Hamilton Tiger Cats rivalry had to be put off this year due to scheduling issues.  This actually turned out for the best as Hamilton is tussling with the Montreal Alouettes for 2nd place in the East and is becoming a sweet rivalry in itself.  To the games themselves.  All were blow outs, with the BC Lions destruction of the Argos 29-16, the only one that could not be called a surprise.  Hamilton destroyed Montreal 44-21 in a major surprise.  The Edmonton Eskimos took apart the Calgary Stampeders 35-7 in Calgary.  I was actually, to my surprise, cheering for the Stamps in this one.

The major upset occurred in Regina.  The 7-1 Winnipeg Blue Bombers swaggered into Regina to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-7) in a game that the Swaggerville boys figured would be a walk in the park.  NOT!!!!  The pride of Saskatchewan dismantled the Canucks of the CFL in robotic order.  The final score was 27-7 in a game that saw all the missing parts of the Riders’ game come together.  Riderville is back.

As I noted last week, the Riders needed to take baby steps to come back to their game.  The first step has been taken.  We have caught the Argos and now stand at 2-7, even with Toronto and 1 game behind BC for 3rd in the West.  At this time last week, most would have said 2 losses to the Bombers.  Now we can do no worse than a split.

It will be an interesting week 11 as all teams play the 2nd part of a home and home.

In related news, Cleo Lemon, one time Miami Dolphin starting QB, was cut by the Toronto Argonauts after the teams loss to BC.  Steven Jyles will assume the role of starter next week.  The former University of Louisiana – Monroe QB had been on the sidelines with an injury and will be assigned the weighty task of salvaging Toronto’s season.

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Now We Suck More Than The Argos

Photo of the field of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
Image via Wikipedia

It is quickly becoming apparent that the Saskatchewan Roughriders may not make the CFL playoffs this year.  This is appalling.  After 9 weeks, we are 1-7, all alone in last place in the league.  Fortunately  things are happening that may help turn things around.  First, firing Head Coach Greg Marshall and Offensive Coordinator, Doug Berry.  It was increasingly obvious that the change in philosophy from previous years to today was not taking hold.  This is a very talented team, with consecutive Grey Cup appearances.  What changed?  The coaching.  Time to change back, and they did.  Their 2nd move was to bring Ken Miller back into the Head Coach role.  This will change attitudes and bring everyone back into sync.  Quarterback Darian Durant was inconsistent with the cards he was playing.  He is known to respect coach Miller, and this alone will bring him out of his funk.  His discontent with past coaching staff was obvious.  It was also obvious that he was struggling with the new system.

The 3rd thing that will help is the return of Andy Fantuz, cut this week by the Chicago Bears.  Although he is not eligible for Sunday’s Labour Day Classic, last season’s leading receiver will be available the following week for the Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg.  He will make an immediate impact on both the clubhouse and on the field.  A quarterback hates to lose his favourite target, so one can only imagine how Durant will feel about getting him back.

Now it is time for baby steps.  There are 10 games left.  This week’s game against league leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers will, or should be, an emotional game in reaction to the recent news and changes.  If I were the Bombers, I would tread carefully.  The giant may be awakened.  The next step is to stop sucking more than the Toronto Argonauts.  This should not be terribly difficult.  Once we catch them, then we look to the next target.

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The Blue Tongues Update – August 28, 2011

Gold Coast Blue Tongues
Gold Coast Blue Tongues

It is with a heavy heart that I must report that the Gold Coast Blue Tongues have been eliminated from contention for the AIHL championship.  They split their series on the weekend with the Newcastle North Stars, losing the final game of the season in a nail-biter, 2-1.  A victory would not have changed things as the team they were chasing, the Adelaide Adrenaline won both their games on the final weekend.  The Tongues needed them to lose at least one of, if not both of their games in order to overtake them for 4th place.

All in all though, the season  was reasonably successful.  Matt Amado led the league in goals, setting a new league record on the way.  They were also the only team to beat the Melbourne Ice all season, and they did it twice.

This bodes well for next year if they can keep their nucleus and make a few tweaks.  This will be my last post on the Blue Tongues this eason, but I will follow the league championship and report on who will be the Champions for this season.  Best of luck to the top 4.

Final Standings

TEAM GP W L OW OL TP
Ice 28 18 2 3 5 65
North Stars 28 18 6 1 3 59
Ice Dogs 28 17 9 2 0 55
Adrenaline 28 12 9 5 2 48
Blue Tongues 28 13 12 1 2 43
Mustangs 28 8 17 2 1 29
Knights 28 8 20 0 0 24
Bears 28 2 21 2 3 13
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The Blue Tongues Update – August 21, 2011

Gold Coast Blue Tongues
Gold Coast Blue Tongues

Houston, we have a problem.  After splitting their games on August 13 and 14, only to see Adelaide win both theirs, we see the Gold Coast Blue Tongues in 5th place, looking up at the 4th place Adelaide Adrenaline.  They are 2 points down with 2 games to go (wins are worth 3 points in this league) and have a tough series on the road next weekend against the second place Newcastle North Stars.  The Adrenaline play 2 at home, one against the 7th place Canberra Knights, the other facing the 8th and last place Sydney ice Dogs.  The Blue Tongues need to win at least one and have the Adrenaline lose both, or one if the Tongues sweep.  If not, the season is over for our heroes.

In Blue Tongue news, Matt Amado set an AIHL record with his 41st goal of the season.  He held the previous record of 39, which he also held and set in 2007 in only 20 games.  He currently has 41, with 2 games to go.  It would be great if he scored 10 next weekend.

Good luck next weekend.

621

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Remembering Rick Rypien

Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien prior to...
Rick Rypien

Rick Rypien was laid to rest on August 20.  The funeral was held at Albert Stella Arena in Blairmore, Alberta.  Around 1,000 people attended to pay their respects.  I add my respect and offer my condolences to the family.  Rick was one heck of a hockey player.  The prototype Canadian player, hard nosed with a strong commitment to team and winning.  It is a tragedy that he suffered from depression and it finally took him from the world.  He will be missed.  I was looking forward to seeing him in a Winnipeg Jets uniform.

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Where Is The Stanley Cup – Part 9 – Zdeno Chara and Tuuka Rask

BOSTON, Mass. (Nov. 4, 2007) - Boston Bruins t...
Zdeno Chara - Image via Wikipedia

Doing a double post today as I have fallen behind a bit doing some summer stuff.

The Stanley Cup does indeed get around.  On July 22 it reached Trencin in Slovakia for a huge public celebration in the town square.  Zdeno Chara had taken possession of the cup from David Krejci in Bratislava and headed for home.  As an additional perk, he also had the Norris Trophy, emblematic of being the NHL’s top defenseman, an award he won he 2009.  The Norris also points out another reason the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup this year.  The Vancouver Canucks have no past, present or future Norris winners on their roster.  I would say that Chara is very happy to be a Bruin at this point in his career after stints with the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders.

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The Cup was passed on to Tuuka Rask on the 24th of July.  The Cup moved to Savonlinna, Finland for it’s day with the Bruin’s back up goalie.  As a twist to the norm, the Stanley Cup was accompanied by the World Cup, as Finland won the IIHF championship this year.  We had the standard parades and speeches, but Tuuka’s day ended with something a bit different, a sauna and hot tub night with the Cup.

This was the end of the Cup’s European tour and is heading back to Canada.

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Stay Classy Canuck Fans

Milan Lucic
Milan Lucic - Image via Wikipedia

Milan Lucic‘s plans for his day with the Stanley Cup in Vancouver have been scaled back due to fears of loonballs creating some havoc.  Read more in the attached articles.  The Canuck’s and their fans (some of them) are surely digging themselves a hole that will be difficult.  They are well on their way to becoming the most reviled team in the NHL.

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CFL After 6 Weeks

Andy Fantuz during a Saskatchewan Roughriders ...
Andy Fantuz - Image via Wikipedia

A third of the season and it is time to take a look at what is shaking out in the league this year.  I would like to be able to say that The Saskatchewan Roughriders are blowing away the rest of the league, but, in what can only be called a major surprise, they are languishing last place in the West with a 1-5 record, and, frankly, suck more than BC.  This is just one surprise.  Every team except the Calgary Stampeders, the Montreal Alouettes and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are  playing in the surprise category.  Lets examine who is surprising and why.

1. Saskatchewan Roughriders

Shocking.  Grey Cup finalists the past two years, the Riders are playing way below their potential.  From what I have seen there are 3 main reasons.  First, a new coach, with a different way of doing things.  To me, the team was built by the old coach and they are not adapting.  Second, the loss of Andy Fantuz has not been compensated for, and third, the defence is not working.  Time for an airlift and then back to the basics.  All is not lost, but it is getting close

2. BC Lions

They were expected to compete this year for a playoff spot.  They are not, and it appears they won’t.  Travis Lulay is performing as expected, but their running game is non-existent and their receiving corps has lost a step.  Gerot Simon is still a great receiver, but has lost the breakaway speed he once had.

3. Edmonton Eskimos

Wow, undefeated over the first 5 weeks, they are the biggest surprise.  The O-line is protecting Rick Ray, who is delivering strike after strike to a terrific receiving group, led by Fred Stamps.  Can they keep it up, I believe so.

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

First in the East, ahead of Montreal, not believable, but true.  The defence is the big reason for the turnaround.  They have 29 sacks in the first 6 games, most in the league, Hamilton and BC are second with 13.  The have allowed only 113 points as well.  Outstanding!  The offense, not so much.  They should have more points, but are struggling.  Their hold on first, or even a playoff spot is still tenuous and will depend on staying healthy and maintaining the pressure from the defence.

5. Toronto Argonauts

Who cares, it is the Argos and last is where they should be.

Lots of great football ahead.

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Where Is The Stanley Cup – Part 8 – David Krejci

David KrejÄŤĂ­
Image via Wikipedia

July 21 was David Krejci‘s turn to have his day withe Stanley Cup.  He took the cup to his home town of Sternberk in the Czech Republic.  The day began with a visit to his parents and his girlfriend Naomi.  From there he headed to the town square.  The driving rain did not stop 3000 people from showing up to see the Cup and to get autographs from David and Tomas Kaberle, who came along.  The day ended with a small party at David’s parents back yard.

David was a key component to both the Boston Bruins season and their history making playoff run.  He scored 12 goals, had 23 points and scored 4 game winning goals during the run to the cup.  He will be an important cog in the Bruin’s drive to repeat in 2012.

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The Blue Tongues Update – August 9, 2011

Gold Coast Blue Tongues
Image via Wikipedia

What a great week it was for our heroes, the Gold Coast Blue Tongues.  Needing as many points as they could get against the first place Melbourne Ice in order to keep their tenuous hold on the 4th and final playoff spot, the Blue Tongues split the series.  They handed the Ice only their second defeat of the season in regulation time.  The Blue Tongues are putting it all together at the right time of the year (for Australia that is).   Next weekend is in Melbourne with games against the Ice and the Mustangs.  Very important games.  We will play our final 2 games, on the road against the second place Newcastle North Stars in a must win situation.  The 5th place Adelaide Adrenaline are a mere 2 points behind in the standings.  Stay tuned for the results.

Video is a recent promo that explains some stuff about Australian hockey and the league. (AIHL)

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