Tag: Sports

Where Is The Stanley Cup – Part 11 – Campbell, Seguin, Savard and Kelly

91 Marc Savard (C)
Marc Savard

Greg Campbell received the Stanley Cup from Rich Peverley and took it with him to Kitchener and Tillsonburg, Ontario.  He spent most of his day with the cup at a yard gathering at his home.

The Boston Bruins outstanding rookie,Tyler Seguin was next in line for his day with Stanley.  Tyler made the leap from junior hockey straight to the NHL and, of course, a role in winning the Stanley Cup.  He took the cup to Brampton, Ontario, where 2000 people gathered to help him celebrate.  from there, he went to a friend’s home in Georgetown then to the Club Embassy in Toronto for the traditional pub crawl.

People began lining up in Peterborough at 7 in the morning to see Marc Savard and the Stanley Cup.  While he didn’t play in the playoffs due to concussion issues, he is an integral part of the Bruins in the past and hopes to contribute in their defence of their title.  After it’s time at Kawartha Golf & Country Club, it went to his home where 100 friends and relatives joined him for a gathering.

Next up was Chris Kelly, another lucky one.  He was traded mid-season from the Ottawa Senators and instead of being out of the playoffs, he ended up on a contender and eventual winner of the Cup.  The upside for Ottawa is they get to see the Cup up close, although not in the way we wanted to.  Chris took the cup to a local hospital, was in a parade and ended the day with a family get together at his home, then supper at a local restaurant.

Canadians In The NFL

Jamaal Westerman
Jamaal Westerman

Believe it or not there are Canadians in the NFL.  We in Canada are proud of our guys that make the grade in the USA.

The current list of these Canucks are:

Player Team Position Hometown
O.J. Atogwe Washington Redskins Free Safety Windsor, ON
Nate Burleson Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Calgary, AB
Austin Collie Indianapolis Colts Wide Receiver Hamilton, ON
Cory Greenwood Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Kingston, ON
Israel Idonije Chicago Bears Defensive Lineman Brandon, MB
Nick Kaczur New England Patriots Offensive Lineman Brantford, ON
L.P. Ladouceur Dallas Cowboys Long Snapper Pointe Claire, QC
Vaughn Martin San Diego Chargers Defensive End Windsor, ON
Jon Ryan Seattle Seahawks Punter Regina SK
Shaun Suisham Pittsburgh Steelers Kicker Wallaceburg, ON
Jamaal Westerman New York Jets Linebacker Brampton, ON

In Week 1 the stats for these players were:

Austin Collie            0 catches

O.J. Atogwe              2 tackles

Nate Burleson           5 catches 60 yards and 20 yards rushing

Cory Greenwood      1 tackle

Israel Idonije             1 tackle

Shaun Suisham          1 convert

Jamaal Westerman   1 fumble recovery

Jon Ryan                     7 punts   48.9 yd average

The CFL is also known as a bit of a developmental league for the NFL, supplying some fine talent back to the NFL.  Names that may be recognizable to a casual NFL fan who have played in the CFL include Cameron Wake on Miami, John Chick on Jacksonville, Mike Sellers on Washington, Stefan Logan on Detroit and Brandon Browner on Seattle.

I love watching an NFL game and seeing a Canadian player do well, or see a player who had spent time in the CFL on the field.  Makes me appreciate the CFL that much more.

Where Is The Stanley Cup – Part 10 – Thornton, Paille and Peverley

22 Shawn Thornton I think this is my favorite ...
Image via Wikipedia

Shawn Thornton‘s day with the cup happened in Toronto.  He hosted a supper at  360 The Restaurant in the CN Tower with the Stanley Cup.  Afterwards, the cup went on a pub tour of Toronto and Oshawa before ending up back at the CN Tower for a day tour of the Edge Walk.  The cup and Shawn were strapped in tightly for this.

From Shawn Thornton and Toronto/Oshawa, the cup was passed on to Daniel Paille.  His day with the cup encompassed Welland, Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake in Ontario.  More paraded, more pub crawls.

From Daniel, it was passed on to Rich (I am so happy to have been traded from Atlanta) Peverley.  He spent his day in Guelph, Ontario.

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Check Out This Goal

Current IIHF member nations are in red. Nation...
IIHF Members

Canada may be the world’s foremost hockey power, and we prove it, even when we are playing for other teams around the world.  The goal below is by an Israeli-Canadian, playing for Israel in Division 3 of the IIHF championships.  I love this, during Israel’s 26-2 victory over Greece, Eliezer Sherbatov schooled the world with a beautiful goal.  Israel won the Division 3 championship and has been promoted to the Division 2 group for 2012 with Belgium, China, Mexico, Bulgaria, South Africa.  More info and story here.

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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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