As with the first two legs of the Canada Russia Challenge, Russia came back from a big defeat with a close game. Just like in game 4 against Team OHL, the first period of game 6 was scoreless. Team WHL opened the scoring just over five minutes into the second period on a powerplay for the lone goal of the period. It took more than twelve minutes for another goal and this one was also scored by the WHL. Russia fought hard and was able to beat Tokarski with under five minutes to play to make it a 2-1 game. That was as much as either team would score and the game ended 2-1.
Although the Russian Selects go home with a 1-5 record in this series, they will also be going home knowing they can compete with the Canadians. This series gave both sides a chance to scout for the World Juniors but it also gave Russia some hope that they can end Canada's recent reign in the World Junior tournament. The next possible meeting between these two sides will be when it really matters, in the playoff rounds of the World Juniors. We are less than a month away now too.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Team OHL Remains Perfect
Game four of the Canada/Russia hockey challenge, second on Ontario soil, concluded last night in St Catharines with a 3-2 Team OHL victory. A well rested Russian team gave the red shirted OHLers all they could handle and made the entire game highly entertaining. With the small ice surface at the Gatorade Garden City Complex, the game was a tight checking affair with several big hits from both sides.
The game was without a goal in the first period and by the end of the second the game was only knotted at 1 goal apiece. Two goals in the middle part of the third by the OHL side gave them what looked to be a sure win but the Russians came back and scored their second of the night only 31 seconds after the last team OHL goal. The last five minutes of the game saw chances at both ends of the rink but Team OHL was stymied by the Russian goalie, and player of the game, Gayduchenko and the Russian Selects couldn't get the puck past Trevor Cann in the dying seconds for a 3-2 Team OHL victory. John Tavares was all over the ice and earned Team OHL's player of the game.
With this win and the 6-3 win in game 3, Team OHL continues it's perfect record against the Russian Selects in this series. They improve to 12-0 since this series began in 2003. Prior to coming to Ontario, the Russians split their two games versus the QMJHL losing 5-3 in game one and rebounding to win game two 4-3. They next play Team WHL Wednesday night in Swift Current, SK followed by their last game the next night in Prince Albert, SK. The WHL seeks to regain its dominance over the Russians after losing their first ever game to them in 2007.
The game was without a goal in the first period and by the end of the second the game was only knotted at 1 goal apiece. Two goals in the middle part of the third by the OHL side gave them what looked to be a sure win but the Russians came back and scored their second of the night only 31 seconds after the last team OHL goal. The last five minutes of the game saw chances at both ends of the rink but Team OHL was stymied by the Russian goalie, and player of the game, Gayduchenko and the Russian Selects couldn't get the puck past Trevor Cann in the dying seconds for a 3-2 Team OHL victory. John Tavares was all over the ice and earned Team OHL's player of the game.
With this win and the 6-3 win in game 3, Team OHL continues it's perfect record against the Russian Selects in this series. They improve to 12-0 since this series began in 2003. Prior to coming to Ontario, the Russians split their two games versus the QMJHL losing 5-3 in game one and rebounding to win game two 4-3. They next play Team WHL Wednesday night in Swift Current, SK followed by their last game the next night in Prince Albert, SK. The WHL seeks to regain its dominance over the Russians after losing their first ever game to them in 2007.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Weekend of Champions - Day 2
The Montreal Alouettes had the cards stacked in their favour for the 96th Grey Cup. They had home field advantage, the league's most outstanding player (Anthony Calvillo) and despite finishing the regular season with four fewer points than their opponents, they were favoured to win. Unfortunately for them, they were facing a team with something to prove in the Calgary Stampeders.
The game started as a carbon copy of the Vanier Cup one day previous as the team from Quebec ended the first quarter with a 3-0 lead. Montreal even looked dominant throughout the second quarter and seemed to be on the verge of busting the game wide open but they had trouble getting through the Stamps defence. At the end of the half, the Als were unable to expand upon their three point lead finishing the half with a 13-10 lead. Calgary made the right adjustments at halftime and came out in the second on a mission. Although they were unable to score a major, the Stamps allowed only one point against in the entire second half while converting on four field goals, including a 50-yarder for the 22-14 Grey Cup victory.
Earlier in the day another championship was battled out, this one on a soccer pitch in California. The Columbus Crew faced off against the New York Red Bulls for the 2008 Major League Soccer Cup. Columbus scored the first goal in the 31st minute but New York tied the game early in the second half. The Crew retook the lead less than 90 seconds later and never looked back, putting the game out of reach in the 82nd minute. Columbus 3, New York 1. Guillermo Barros Schelotto was named game MVP with three assists, setting a MLS Cup record. Coincidentally, Columbus was the top team at the end of the regular season. Visit MLSnet.com for a more complete story.
The game started as a carbon copy of the Vanier Cup one day previous as the team from Quebec ended the first quarter with a 3-0 lead. Montreal even looked dominant throughout the second quarter and seemed to be on the verge of busting the game wide open but they had trouble getting through the Stamps defence. At the end of the half, the Als were unable to expand upon their three point lead finishing the half with a 13-10 lead. Calgary made the right adjustments at halftime and came out in the second on a mission. Although they were unable to score a major, the Stamps allowed only one point against in the entire second half while converting on four field goals, including a 50-yarder for the 22-14 Grey Cup victory.
Earlier in the day another championship was battled out, this one on a soccer pitch in California. The Columbus Crew faced off against the New York Red Bulls for the 2008 Major League Soccer Cup. Columbus scored the first goal in the 31st minute but New York tied the game early in the second half. The Crew retook the lead less than 90 seconds later and never looked back, putting the game out of reach in the 82nd minute. Columbus 3, New York 1. Guillermo Barros Schelotto was named game MVP with three assists, setting a MLS Cup record. Coincidentally, Columbus was the top team at the end of the regular season. Visit MLSnet.com for a more complete story.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Weekend of Champions - Day 1
The championship weekend got underway Saturday as the Universite de Laval Rouge et Or took to the field at Ivor Wynn Stadium in Hamilton against the University of Western Mustangs in the 2008 Vanier Cup. The first quarter of the game was rather uneventful, at least on the scoreboard, as it ended with a 3-0 Laval lead. The second quarter was much more lively as Laval increased their lead to 20-0 with a two yard TD run and a lengthy punt return for a TD before Western got on the board with a field goal...check that, a penalty by Laval gave Western a second chance and they turned the field gal into a TD. The scoring of the first half ended with an 82-yard pass completion by Laval to make the lead 27-7. Both teams exchanged converted TD's to start the third quarter; 37-14 Laval. They traded another 7 points before Laval put the game away with a field goal to make it a 44-14 final.
Laval earned a spot in the national final by routing the Dinos from the University of Calgary while Western had it a bit tougher in the Mitchel Bowl winning by a mere 16 points, 28-12 against the Saint Mary's Huskies.
While the CIS football championship was being fought out the final game of the 2008 World Sledge Hockey Challenge was being played in Charlottetown, PEI. Canada finished first in the round robin took on the second team in the round robin in Norway. Canada jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Bradley Bowden scored just 23 seconds into the game. Todd Nicholson of Canada scored the second and last goal of the first almost ten hard fought minutes later. The second period was over two thirds finished before Canada took a 3-0 lead on a goal by Marc Dorion. A late goal by Greg Westlake gave Canada a 4-0 lead going into the second intermission. Norway's Rolf Pedersen laid a hard hit on Canada's Danny Verner at the end of the second that got Canada riled up some.
As a result of the hit at the end of the second, Canada started the third with a 5-minute power play (hit to the head penalty) and Norway lost the services of Pedersen as he was also given a game misconduct. The power play failed to score but Marc Dorion scored his second of the game at 7:29 of the period to extend the lead to five. Just over a minute later PEI's own Billy Bridges made it 6-0 then with just over two minutes left, Canada ended the scoring as Greg Westlake notched his second of the game. Canada's Paul Rosen earned the shutout in the 7-0 victory by stopping all eight shots by Norway. Raymond Grassi along with the rest of the defense had a great game in limiting the shots for Rosen.
Earlier in the day the USA defeated Japan 9-0 for the bronze medal lead by Brad Emerson (2G, 1A), player of the game Taylor Lipsett (2G) and Adam Page (1G, 2A).
Laval earned a spot in the national final by routing the Dinos from the University of Calgary while Western had it a bit tougher in the Mitchel Bowl winning by a mere 16 points, 28-12 against the Saint Mary's Huskies.
While the CIS football championship was being fought out the final game of the 2008 World Sledge Hockey Challenge was being played in Charlottetown, PEI. Canada finished first in the round robin took on the second team in the round robin in Norway. Canada jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Bradley Bowden scored just 23 seconds into the game. Todd Nicholson of Canada scored the second and last goal of the first almost ten hard fought minutes later. The second period was over two thirds finished before Canada took a 3-0 lead on a goal by Marc Dorion. A late goal by Greg Westlake gave Canada a 4-0 lead going into the second intermission. Norway's Rolf Pedersen laid a hard hit on Canada's Danny Verner at the end of the second that got Canada riled up some.
As a result of the hit at the end of the second, Canada started the third with a 5-minute power play (hit to the head penalty) and Norway lost the services of Pedersen as he was also given a game misconduct. The power play failed to score but Marc Dorion scored his second of the game at 7:29 of the period to extend the lead to five. Just over a minute later PEI's own Billy Bridges made it 6-0 then with just over two minutes left, Canada ended the scoring as Greg Westlake notched his second of the game. Canada's Paul Rosen earned the shutout in the 7-0 victory by stopping all eight shots by Norway. Raymond Grassi along with the rest of the defense had a great game in limiting the shots for Rosen.
Earlier in the day the USA defeated Japan 9-0 for the bronze medal lead by Brad Emerson (2G, 1A), player of the game Taylor Lipsett (2G) and Adam Page (1G, 2A).
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sad Day in Banditland
The Buffalo Bandits Hall of Fame lacrosse journalist, Tom Borrelli, passed away early this morning at Erie County Medical Centre. He was paralyzed from the neck down after falling down a dangerous set of stairs heading to the press box at Robert Rich All High Stadium while covering a high school football game. Borelli was the first sportswriter to be inducted into the National Lacrosse League's Hall of Fame and, as of 2005, has an award named after him, the Tom Borrelli Award, given to the NLL's writer of the year. Tom will be missed in Banditland and throughout the Buffalo area. He will never be forgotten though as his legacy and character will live forever.
Manitoba Dominates Mixed Doubles
The 2009 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship concluded last weekend with the team from Manitoba, lead by Sean Grassie, defeating Wayne Tuck’s Ontario team 6-4 in the final. Manitoba went through the round robin with only one loss and a bye into the finals. Ontario had a bit longer journey to reach the finals as they finished tied for third at 8-3 in the round robin. In the tie-break game, Ontario scored an impressive 4 points in the seventh end to end Nova Scotia’s tournament. They then squeaked out a 6-5 win in the semi-final with a single point in the tenth to defeat the Saskatchewan team.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tie Breaker Needed at Mixed Nationals
The round robin has ended for the 2009 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship earlier today but the semi-final matchup is still uncertain. The team from Manitoba, skipped by Sean Grassie, easily defeated the team from PEI (5-6) in this mornings draw to earn top spot at 10-1 and a spot in the finals. The team from Saskatchewan, skipped by Darrell McKee, had the morning off but finished in second place at 9-2. They will meet the winner of the tie-breaker.
Ontario, skipped by Wayne Tuck, and Nova Scotia, skipped by Mark Dacey, finished tied for third at 8-3 and will meet in the tie breaker at 3:00 PM eastern time. Nova Scotia needed a win this morning to keep their hopes alive. Their competition in Scott Jones' team from New Brunswick did what they could to give Ontario sole possession of third but a three point eighth end by Nova Scotia was too much for New Brunswick to overcome. Nova Scotia will now need two more wins today to reach the finals.
As previously mentioned, the tie-breaker begins at 3:00 PM eastern while the semi-final goes tonight at 7:30 PM and the final tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 PM.
Ontario, skipped by Wayne Tuck, and Nova Scotia, skipped by Mark Dacey, finished tied for third at 8-3 and will meet in the tie breaker at 3:00 PM eastern time. Nova Scotia needed a win this morning to keep their hopes alive. Their competition in Scott Jones' team from New Brunswick did what they could to give Ontario sole possession of third but a three point eighth end by Nova Scotia was too much for New Brunswick to overcome. Nova Scotia will now need two more wins today to reach the finals.
As previously mentioned, the tie-breaker begins at 3:00 PM eastern while the semi-final goes tonight at 7:30 PM and the final tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 PM.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tavares Needs Out of the ‘Shwa
I am not one of those people who think everything that John Tavares touches turns to gold (I don’t work for TSN after all). Tavares is by far the best offensive talent in the junior ranks right now, he knows where to be in the offensive zone for rebounds, he knows how to fly under the radar and sneak into open ice, and he can make the best of players look foolish with his sick stick skills (thanks to his uncle no doubt), but defensively he lacks quite a bit. It is even more than that though. He lacks toughness. Without the puck he is no tougher than a rag doll.
Anyhow, I have had several discussions with friends and co-workers about why I feel Tavares needs a lot more work before becoming NHL ready. In my most recent discussion, my one friend suggested that Tavares is bored; he is too good to be playing in the ‘O’ and therefore, might not give his all every shift. I have thought about this suggestion for the past couple months now, basically since the beginning of this OHL season, and my friend might be on to something. Tavares has already proven himself in the league by breaking Gretzky’s record for goals by a 16 year old so what more can he really do. Sure he hasn’t won a scoring title but he has been in the top three in points the past couple years and is right up there again this year. How can one really top taking a record away from the Great One?
This year, John Tavares is playing on an Oshawa team that was ranked to finish dead last in the regular season. The Generals have had some surprises this year and are currently five points above the bottom of their conference but some games they play down to expectations and look awful. With the lack of talent/experience on the roster, Tavares is trying to do too much on his own. He takes long shifts and tries to make highlight reel plays instead of sticking to the little things. Playing on this team that puts so much pressure, either consciously or subconsciously, on him to perform will only hurt Tavares game. He cannot improve and grow as a player if he is too focused on carrying the team.
Growth is what the junior leagues are all about and is why Tavares needs to be traded to a contender. Oshawa is not going to be playing hockey in May. At best they will get a lucky draw in the first round and advance to the conference semis but they are not Cup contenders. Tavares has the value to get the Generals some good young talent by way of first round picks or solid first year players and get them back to Cup contention sooner rather than later. As an organization, the Generals need to look at what is best for not only their organization but also for the players. It seems to me that trading Tavares is in the best interest of both. Since this will likely be Tavares’ last year in the ‘O’, the Generals only stand to win by trading Tavares.
Helping a team get to the Memorial Cup will have a bigger impact in the career of John Tavares than will leading a team to a first round playoff exit, even with a league scoring title. Tavares needs to get back the fire and his desire to play in this league and that can be given to him by playing for a team with bigger sights then just making the playoffs. Playing alongside players like Nazeem Kadri in London, Matt Duchene and Cody Hodgson in Brampton, Corey Syvret in Guelph, Eric Tangradi in Belleville or even Logan Couture in Ottawa would benefit Tavares and his growth as a player. He can learn from those that attended pro camps while teaching the younger kids as he currently does. After all, as Gilbert Highet wrote in his book Man’s Unconquerable Mind: “The best way toward greatness is to mix with the great.” Getting out of the ‘Shwa and onto a winning team is Tavares’ first, make that, second step to greatness.
Anyhow, I have had several discussions with friends and co-workers about why I feel Tavares needs a lot more work before becoming NHL ready. In my most recent discussion, my one friend suggested that Tavares is bored; he is too good to be playing in the ‘O’ and therefore, might not give his all every shift. I have thought about this suggestion for the past couple months now, basically since the beginning of this OHL season, and my friend might be on to something. Tavares has already proven himself in the league by breaking Gretzky’s record for goals by a 16 year old so what more can he really do. Sure he hasn’t won a scoring title but he has been in the top three in points the past couple years and is right up there again this year. How can one really top taking a record away from the Great One?
This year, John Tavares is playing on an Oshawa team that was ranked to finish dead last in the regular season. The Generals have had some surprises this year and are currently five points above the bottom of their conference but some games they play down to expectations and look awful. With the lack of talent/experience on the roster, Tavares is trying to do too much on his own. He takes long shifts and tries to make highlight reel plays instead of sticking to the little things. Playing on this team that puts so much pressure, either consciously or subconsciously, on him to perform will only hurt Tavares game. He cannot improve and grow as a player if he is too focused on carrying the team.
Growth is what the junior leagues are all about and is why Tavares needs to be traded to a contender. Oshawa is not going to be playing hockey in May. At best they will get a lucky draw in the first round and advance to the conference semis but they are not Cup contenders. Tavares has the value to get the Generals some good young talent by way of first round picks or solid first year players and get them back to Cup contention sooner rather than later. As an organization, the Generals need to look at what is best for not only their organization but also for the players. It seems to me that trading Tavares is in the best interest of both. Since this will likely be Tavares’ last year in the ‘O’, the Generals only stand to win by trading Tavares.
Helping a team get to the Memorial Cup will have a bigger impact in the career of John Tavares than will leading a team to a first round playoff exit, even with a league scoring title. Tavares needs to get back the fire and his desire to play in this league and that can be given to him by playing for a team with bigger sights then just making the playoffs. Playing alongside players like Nazeem Kadri in London, Matt Duchene and Cody Hodgson in Brampton, Corey Syvret in Guelph, Eric Tangradi in Belleville or even Logan Couture in Ottawa would benefit Tavares and his growth as a player. He can learn from those that attended pro camps while teaching the younger kids as he currently does. After all, as Gilbert Highet wrote in his book Man’s Unconquerable Mind: “The best way toward greatness is to mix with the great.” Getting out of the ‘Shwa and onto a winning team is Tavares’ first, make that, second step to greatness.
Weekend of Hockey - Nov 8-9, 2008
This weekend saw the beginning of the many, many hockey tournaments, both national and international, that take place every year. Here is a very brief summary of each event.
Team USA defeated Team Canada West 7-1 to capture the 2008 World Jr A Challenge. Team Canada East was able to give the host country something to cheer about as they won the bronze medal in a dominating 9-1 win over Team Belarus. Mike Cichy from the American team won the tournament MVP.
Team Ontario Red came out on top of Team Quebec for a thrilling double overtime victory to win the 2008 National Women’s U18 Championship. Just over a minute into the second overtime period, Brianne Jenner found herself all alone against the Quebec keeper after picking up the puck in the neutral zone and scored the winner in a 2-1 game. Team Manitoba came away with the bronze in the tournament after they defeated Team Ontario Blue 3-1 on the strength of two second period goals.
Team USA took their second gold of the weekend as they defeated Team Canada 3-2 in a shootout to win the 2008 4 Nations Cup. Team Sweden beat Team Finland 3-1 for the bronze.
And finally, Team Canada shutout Team Germany 3-0 to take the 2009 Deutschland Cup. The opened the tournament by defeating Team Slovakia 5-2 while they defeated Team Switzerland 3-0 in the second game. This was the third Deutschland Cup for Team Canada.
Team USA defeated Team Canada West 7-1 to capture the 2008 World Jr A Challenge. Team Canada East was able to give the host country something to cheer about as they won the bronze medal in a dominating 9-1 win over Team Belarus. Mike Cichy from the American team won the tournament MVP.
Team Ontario Red came out on top of Team Quebec for a thrilling double overtime victory to win the 2008 National Women’s U18 Championship. Just over a minute into the second overtime period, Brianne Jenner found herself all alone against the Quebec keeper after picking up the puck in the neutral zone and scored the winner in a 2-1 game. Team Manitoba came away with the bronze in the tournament after they defeated Team Ontario Blue 3-1 on the strength of two second period goals.
Team USA took their second gold of the weekend as they defeated Team Canada 3-2 in a shootout to win the 2008 4 Nations Cup. Team Sweden beat Team Finland 3-1 for the bronze.
And finally, Team Canada shutout Team Germany 3-0 to take the 2009 Deutschland Cup. The opened the tournament by defeating Team Slovakia 5-2 while they defeated Team Switzerland 3-0 in the second game. This was the third Deutschland Cup for Team Canada.
Gryphons Take Baggataway Cup
The Baggataway Cup was handed out over the weekend to the 2008 Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association champions, the Guelph Gryphons. This is the third time the Gryphons have earned the CUFLA title to tie with the Western Mustangs for second most cup wins. After a disappointing football season that came to an end a couple weekends ago in the OUA quarterfinals, this championship victory on the lacrosse field must have the Gryphons athletics in full on party mode. Although they didn’t face the seventeen time Baggataway Cup champion Brock Badgers this weekend, coming out on top in a tournament featuring the historically dominant school still adds an extra bit of pleasure. In fact, this was the first year that the Badgers were knocked out in the semi-finals; all previous twenty-three Cup finals featured the team from Brock. Brock was knocked out by the McGill Redmen 13-9 on Saturday while the Gryphons defeated the Trent Excalibur 12-7.
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