The Blue Tongues Win, The Blue Tongues Win!!!.
Category: Sports
Winnipeg Jets – Update – July 5
NHL Season is Over, Now What
I know. It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, maybe we should track the Australian Ice Hockey League. Yes, it exists. I have the proof right here.
http://www.theaihl.com/leagues/front_pageAIHL.cfm?leagueID=11464&clientID=3856&link=AIHL
http://www.iha.org.au/view/iha
Now all we have to do is pick a team to support. I am thinking a poll would work. If this is any kind of fun, I’ll do some stories on the team that wins. If not, then to the trash hahahaha.
Riders – That Was Embarrassing – CFL Week 1
Embarrassing is the right word, for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Calgary Stampeders. Opening game for each, against supposedly inferior opponents. Saskatchewan and Calgary were even playing at home. They now join the BC Lions in losing the dream of an undefeated season. Week 1 and everything is already upside down. Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers in first with Montreal Alouettes? The Edmonton Eskimos alone in first in the Western Conference and all 3 still dreaming of an undefeated season. But it is the CFL after all. These teams may not win another one all year.
The Riders showed a distinct weakness against the pass. Ricky Ray dissected their defence and did so with little pressure on him at all. The Riders offence looked good, but were prone to turnovers time and again. The Bomber game, what a yawn, same with Toronto and Calgary. Calgary does need a kicker though. Lose by 2 and miss 3, not very good.
Related articles
- Ricky Ray leads Eskimos past Riders (theglobeandmail.com)
Riders – That Was Embarrassing – CFL Week 1
NHL Season is Over, Now What
Winnipeg Jets – Update – July 2
The draft is done, the team is named, the uniform and logo are being worked on. I would think that 95% of the world is happy that the Winnipeg Jets is the name chosen. A lot of history in that name and it would have been a shame to name them anything else..
Free Agent season opened on July 1 and the Jets did not exactly make a splash. Having said that, there really wasn’t anything there to make a splash with. Better to save the cash, see what you have in the fall and move towards next year with the youngsters already in the system. The goaltending is in good hands, the young defence is in great shape and signing a big name forward would have been a waste at this point. Lets face it, Brad Richards would have been an interesting pick up, but in reality, he would have added nothing to the team. One other point to make is that Winnipeg will not be playing in the East in 2012-13. The style of play in the West has some subtle differences, so it is a smart play to stay the course and work towards signing Western style players next year.
The 2 signed so far are decent depth players, which we are lacking and in fact, of all the Canucks in the playoffs, Tanner Glass was one of the few who impressed me. Yes, his type of player is common, and yes, he will never be an all-star, but how many Canadian kids with heart do the Jets have at this point. He will do well on the 4th line and was cheap. Derek Meech is a solid AHL defenceman who is reaching the age where he could easily become a solid NHL player. He is also a hometown guy which is always a plus. He will make the team and will be a decent contributor.
Of the guys that are left, Teemu Selane is an obvious choice. A link to the past could be a path to the future. Signing him is pretty much a no-brainer.
Late Breaking, the Jets have just signed defenceman Randy Jones. He last played with Tampa Bay Lightning, but missed the playoffs with an ankle injury. Another solid, but not spectacular signing.
A Jamie Langenbrunner or John Madden type of veteran would also be a reasonable pick up at this point as a veteran leader and bridge to the future, but only at the right price.
Winnipeg Jets – Update – July 2
Where is the Stanley Cup – Part 2
If you ever wondered just how special the Stanley Cup is, catch the video at this link. The video follows the cup around Massachusetts over the last couple of days. Wonder if there are any players from Calgary. It will make an appearance in Vancouver when Milan Lucic brings it home for his allotted time with the Cup.
Related articles
- What secrets would Lord Stanley’s cup reveal if only it could talk (thehockeynews.com)
BC Lions Perfect Season Ends
The perfect season for the BC Lions ended with a thump on Friday evening as the Montreal Alouettes defeated them 30 – 26. This drops BC to 0-1 and last place in the West. All humour aside, a good game, which adds a couple of early footnotes to the new season.
Travis Lulay of BC appears to be the real thing. 26 of 45 for 366 yds and a TD, with 0 interceptions is not a stat line that BC quarterbacks have been putting up in recent years. If this is indicative of his talent, then the West is instantly a 3 team race.
Geroy Simon is the new Milt Stegall, ageless. He is 35 and had a great game. He had 5 grabs for 115 yards. He may not be as quick, but is every bit as efficient.
BC needs a running back to complete the deal on offence.
Montreal will be capable of defending their Grey Cup. Anthony Calvillo is unbelievable. He turns 39 in August and put up amazing numbers. He was 22/30 for 312 yds, 3 TDs and 0 interceptions. CFL, look out. If they protect him, they might repeat.
Jamel Richardson is turning into the premier receiver in the CFL. After his outstanding season last year, he appears to have turned it up yet again.
All in all, an entertaining game bewteen 2 good teams. As usual, the CFL will be exciting again this year.
Best hit of the night at the link.
Related articles
- Calvillo eyes passing record as CFL season kicks off (theglobeandmail.com)