Another CFL team in Saskatchewan? ; Calgary billionaire not just interested in Preds. He'd love to bring a football club to Saskatoon

The Calgary Sun
Byline: BY ERIC FRANCIS

Eight years ago, Brett Wilson prepared to die.

Diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, the man who always had a plan suddenly didn't.

So he made one.

"It's certainly a humbling experience to sit down and write out what you expect your funeral to look like," said the 51-year-old Calgary entrepreneur, Dragon's Den panelist and budding sports mogul.

"Who the key people I wanted to be involved and what I wanted my kids to hear and say ... I wrote out part of my epitaph, too."

He then stood up, closed the book on death and focused on living. And while his never-ending list of business ventures continues to grow, so does his unquenchable thirst for sports and entertainment properties.

Making a splash last week by telling the Sun he has a handshake agreement to buy a piece of the Nashville Predators, the longtime investment banker is sure to turn more heads this week with his thoughts on adding a second CFL team in Saskatchewan.

"(CFL commissioner) Mark Cohon and I have had coffee a couple times and I love what he's trying to do in terms of building that brand, but Ottawa is too far away and Halifax doesn't make sense to me," said the native of North Battleford, Sask., when asked of interest in the CFL.

"But if they ever thought about letting Saskatoon have a team, I'd sure like to partner with the group that buys that. I know that would burn a few bridges in the north and south. The reality is the fan base in southern Saskatchewan is strong enough to support the 'Riders. Could it be divided and could a second team survive there? Oh, there'd be some kicking and squawking and screaming, but you know, once upon a time a group of scientists were certain the world was flat and they were proven wrong. I think it could be done."

That said, the University of Saskatchewan grad insists he isn't spending any time on the concept, which is completely believable given how little time the well-healed businessman, father, philanthropist and sports fan must have for anything.

Buying the biggest chunk of Derby County Football Club in England last year to go with his minor league baseball outfit in Jackson, Tenn., Wilson's ever-expanding empire also includes a partnership with Canadian country singer Beverley Mahood.

Wilson, who inquired about buying into both the Oilers and the Flames, has had a blast attending several Derby matches.

"Derby County has been a hilarious, fascinating, interesting run," said Wilson, who seeks only to be a part of the sports action, as opposed to running the teams. "If you want fun factor and excitement, I got it with that team."

Although gaining a reputation as one of the nation's most active entrepreneurs, he wants to be known for several other things, which he will outline when he shares his story at the Power Within seminar Tuesday at the Convention Centre, where he'll sub in for Michael Phelps alongside others like Martin Sheen and Mahood.

"I've had to re-prioritize my life. At one time, it would have been pretty obvious my top-ten priorities would have been business, money, business, wealth, money, business, business, business ... And the reason I was doing that was to provide for my family. How screwed up is that?," said Wilson, whose work ethic damaged his now-defunct marriage and his early relationship with his three kids.

"Kids don't care how many businesses you own. Now, my priorities are my health first, family second, friends third. Until you take care of the first three, what's the point of living?"

With a clean bill of health, the zestful investor now works tirelessly on that balance while accruing sports properties he calls "the fun stuff" and giving back to the community.

The economic downturn has done little to slow him down.

"The world is on sale right now," declared Wilson. "I don't have enough cash to do all the things I'd like to do right now, but I'm very bullish on what the next five years hold."

Suddenly, so might be the folks in Saskatoon.

Ice 5 Pats 3

CRANBROOK -- The Regina Pats went oh-fer on this three game road trip following a 5-3 loss to the hometown Kootenay Ice Friday night. And with the Edmonton Oil Kings picking up a point from an overtime loss, the Pats have dropped six points out of a playoff spot with seven games left to play.

Kootenay jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Drew Czerwonka (even strength) and Andrew Bailey (shorthanded). That was the end of the line for Pats starting goalie Linden Rowat who allowed two goals on seven shots 9:57 into the game. It's hard to blame him, as the Pats were being outshot 7-1 at the time.

Regina's Colten Teubert scored his 11th of the season 1:27 into the second period on the powerplay making it a 2-1 game, but a couple of powerplay goals by Kootenay's Kevin King and Tylan Stephans made it 4-1 for the Ice after forty minutes.

The Pats had a great third period and Neal Prokop made it 4-2 with his fourth of the year at 5:33, however Andrew Bailey restored the three goal lead with a breakaway goal beating Regina goalie Damien Ketlo to make it 5-2. Thirty-two seconds after that, Matt Delahey netted his sixth of the season for Regina to make it 5-3 but the Pats couldn't get any closer.

Game over. Kootenay 5 Regina 3

STATS: The Ice outshot the Pats 35-23 in the game and went 2/4 on the powerplay. The Pats were 1/6 on their own man advantage.

Molson 3-Stars: 1) Bailey 2) Antilla 3) King. Hardest Working Pat: Damien Ketlo.

The Pats' next game is Sunday night at 6:00pm against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at the Regina Brandt Centre on 620 CKRM (Press Box Sports Bar Pats Pregame Show at 5:35pm).

Time's running out but I have written them off yet. They worked hard in this one and it was an entertaining game. It's not time to give up yet.
RP

Cougars claw Huskies; advance to Canada West championship game

BURNABY, B.C. – The University of Regina's women's basketball team earned a berth in the Canada West championship game after defeating the Saskatchewan Huskies by a score of 64-58 on Friday night in the conference semifinals at the West Gym on the campus of Simon Fraser University.

The Cougars will now prepare for the Canada West championship game against Simon Fraser. They'll take on the Clan on Saturday night at the West Gym, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.

Friday Sport Shorts

CRANBROOK, BC -- We're finally here. This four day road trip hit a welcome spot Thursday night when the Regina Pats arrived at the greatest hotel/resort I've ever had the pleasure of staying at. We're in the Rocky Mountains at the St. Eugene Mission (pictured, http://www.steugene.ca/), a fabulous Hotel/Golf/Casino/Resort.

Roomate Dan Plaster and I spent the evening with our feet up, channel surfing and watching the movie Role Models in our hotel room. I'd seen it before, but D.P. hadn't and I was only too happy to watch it again. It was good to put the brain on the desk and laugh for a few hours.

As for the Pats, they continue to try to find a way to snap out of their lengthy rut. GM Brent Parker said on Wednesday's postgame show in Calgary that their season hinges on tonight's showdown with the Kootenay Ice at 8:00pm Regina time (620 CKRM Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 7:35pm).

The club stands five points out of a playoff spot with eight games left. Despite the pressure, the mood seemed light on the busride over here. Defenceman Jesse Dudas had been released by the club earlier in the day, but it didn't seem to cast much of a ripple in the team's attitude. For the first time in ages, the players seemed loose.

I'm guessing that's a good thing. They've been tight as a drum since Christmas and have played like it. We'll see what type of effort they bring forth against the Ice, who are jockeying for playoff positioning themselves.
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SHA Senior A South semi final at Milestone.
Saturday, 2:3m.
Flyers lead Leader in the Best-of-3, 1-0.
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Things have gotten so desperate for the Pats that a lady at home has offered to perform some sort of exorcism for the Pats to rid their demons here down the homestretch.

I'm not joking. I don't know the proper term for what she's offering but it's some type of spiritual cleansing ceremony to be held in the Brandt Centre.

And I think it's being considered.
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The natives are beyond restless. As I write this, the comment-count is at 25 on the post below regarding the Pats' release of Dudas.

Obviously it's been building, and the fit has hit the shan with Pats fans scattering plenty of blame around.

I've got a nauseus feeling in my gut. I can't imagine what the coaches are going through.

But until this team is told they're out of playoff contention, they will continue to forge ahead.

I have my fingers crossed.
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Women:

PLEASE STOP sending in your photos for Ask The Broadcaster for Prairie Mobile Communications on Pats broadcasts.

It was a JOKE and Dan's getting uncomfortable!
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Three members of the Toronto Argonauts are going to announce their retirements today. A source tells The Canadian Press that linebacker Michael O'Shea is hanging up his cleats after 16 seasons.
Veteran centre Chad Folk and safety Chris Hardy are also calling it
quits.
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From the Calgary Sun this morning comes the story Flames' career leading scorer Theoren Fleury won't be in attendance this weekend if Jarome Iginla ties and/or eclipses his 830 all-time points.

"Whatever -- records are made to be broken," Fleury told the Sun's Eric Francis. "How many more games did he play than I did? 129? Eventually if you're a decent player and you're around long enough, 800-some-odd points isn't that much. I went to the game the other night and Iggy got hit twice the whole game. Guys figure skate out there for 60 minutes. I averaged 30 goals a year, but with the intensity and the way I competed, I bet I could average 45 now."

It's not like Fleury is boycotting this weekend's Flames home games. He's in Phoenix participating in Wayne Gretzky's fantasy camp.
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Saskatchewan’s Stefanie Lawton finished at 7-4 and in third place at the 2009 Scotties in Victoria. The Saskatoon skip will next play in Saturday afternoon’s 3-versus-4 page playoff game against the winner of Friday afternoon’s tie-breaker between Canada’s Jennifer Jones and PEI’s Rebecca Jean McPhee. The big game tonight is the 1-2 page playoff game featuring BC’s Marla Mallett who finished first in the round robin at 8-3 up against Quebec’s Marie France Larouche. The winner goes directly to Sunday’s final while the loser drops to Saturday night’s semifinal.
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RIDERS RE-SIGN VETERAN
MIKE MCCULLOUGH

Saskatchewan Roughrider head coach Ken Miller announced today they have re-signed non-import linebacker Mike McCullough to a one-year and an option contract. Financial details of the signing were not released.

McCullough is heading into his seventh season with the Green and White. He was originally selected by the team in the third round (23rd overall) in the 2003 CFL Canadian Draft. The St. Francis Xavier product dressed in all 18 regular season games last year. In his time with the Riders, McCullough has tallied 80 defensive tackles, 70 special teams tackles, three quarterback sacks and four tackles for a loss in 104 regular season games.

“Re-signing Mike was very important for our football club,” stated Riders head coach Ken Miller. “On the field, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge as both a linebacker and special teams player. Off the field, Mike is a leader in the locker room. His character and work ethic is a tremendous influence on the younger players.”
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The CFL has wasted no time in naming the host city for the 2011 Grey Cup. The Vancouver Sun says the Lions and the City of Vancouver will announce on Friday they've been chosen as the host for the 2011 CFL championship game.
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Email inbox:

"Hi Rod,

I was wondering if you could please let people know that the Swift Current Legionnaires are in a huge battle on Saturday at 2:15 PM (Iplex) against the Notre Dame Hounds? Quite simply put, the team must beat the Hounds to make the playoffs. The Legionnaires - under former WHLer Regan Darby, Marc Habscheid and your good friend Jim Dekowny - have turned the corner and have been excellent lately.

Swift Current Minor Hockey and The Legionnaires have come together to put a promotion in place to get all SCMHA players into the game for free. The goal is to have 1000 fans at the game. This would be a great statement for the SMAAAHL and the region as it prepares to host the Telus AAA Regional Tournament.

Thanks Rod,"

Rider News

RIDERS ACQUIRE DONOVAN ALEXANDER FROM MONTREAL
 
Saskatchewan Roughrider head coach Ken Miller announced today they have acquired non-import defensive back Donovan Alexander from the Montreal Alouettes. In return the Alouettes will receive second round picks in the 2009 and 2010 Canadian Draft.
 
In 2008, Alexander (5'11 – 185 lbs) dressed in four games as a defensive back with the Alouettes after spending time with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. The Winnipeg native played three seasons at the University of North Dakota with Rider receiver Weston Dressler. In his senior year with the Fighting Sioux, Alexander dressed in 12 games and tallied 47 defensive tackles, two tackles for a loss and nine knockdowns. He was also a member of the UND track and field team and ran 4.43 40-yard dash on his pro day work-out for NFL teams. Alexander was selected in the third round (23rd overall) by the Alouettes in the 2007 Canadian Draft.
 
"Donovan is a very skilled athlete, who, along with Leron Mitchell and Konrad Wasiela, now gives us a very legitimate chance to alter our ratio and play with a Canadian cornerback, if we chose to do so," stated head coach Ken Miller. 
"The fact Donovan was selected in the third round needs to be viewed in the context of his desire to return to North Dakota for his senior season. Many times players, who are being drafted as 'futures,' go much later than they would if coming out that same year.  Brent Johnson, of course, is one of many examples of this, when the Lions took him in the third round, back in 2000, knowing he was going back to Ohio State. In speaking with Donovan, it's obvious he's a first class young man, and he's very pleased to be coming here and playing so close to home."
 
The Riders also announced today that they have signed import receiver and returner Casey McGahee and non-import receiver David McKoy to contracts. Financial terms were not released.
 
McGahee (5'9 – 160 lbs) spent last season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In his final game of the year, the Florida Atlantic product had seven punt returns for 93 yards, including a 57-yard return for a touchdown.
 
David McKoy dressed in nine regular season games for the Riders in 2007, but missed the last season and a half with a knee injury. He was originally drafted by the Riders in the second round (9th overall) of the 2007 Canadian Draft.
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A note from Moose Jaw Multiplex crusader Kelly Remple:

"WE WON! After countless hours of serving on various Multiplex committees trying to spread the positive word regarding this worthwhile Moose Jaw project, I am officially "spent". Much to our delight, the good people of Moose Jaw have spoken. 12,725 citizens flocked to polling stations yesterday and favoured a 60% - 40% vote in favour of the Multiplex project. That is almost 3000 more people than voted in Moose Jaw's 2006 civic election. It is worth noting that even though 60-40 doesn't sound overwhelming, consider this... Every single one of the 11 polling stations voted "Yes"... THAT, is positive support! Even the most skeptical critic of the $61,000,000 project would have trouble ackowledging that the people of the "Friendly City" have spoken. Nobody can argue that a certain demographic won the referendum, or that a certain region of Moose Jaw won or lost the referendum... When you win 11 out of 11 polls, and tallied 50% more votes than your opponent... You KICKED A$$!

Game, Set, Match."

Pats Release Dudas

CALGARY -- The Regina Pats have released 20-year old defenceman Jesse Dudas.

Dudas was acquired at the WHL trade deadline from the Swift Current Broncos for a 4th round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft,

The release of Dudas leaves the Pats with two 20-year olds: Victor Bartley and Matt Robertson.

The Pats visit the Kootenay Ice tomorrow night at 8:00pm on 620 CKRM (7:35pm Press Box Sports Bar Pats Pregame Show).

Hitmen 6 Pats 3

Calgary, Alberta – If the Pats wanted to get back into the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, they would have to play their best game of the season against the WHL’s top team in the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday night.

It started off great for the Blue & White as Jordan Eberle found Mitch Czibere on a 2-on-1 for his 11th of the season and a 1-0 lead. The Hitmen tied it 31 seconds later on a tip in by captain Carson McMillan only to see the Pats take the lead just 41 seconds after on Alex Pym’s 3rd of the season.

The Pats had clear control but it was wrestled away when Calgary was awarded six of the next eight powerplays.

It was all Calgary the rest of the way as Brett Sonne tied it at the 9:11 mark and then Joel Broda made it 4-2 Hitmen with his league leading 48th of the season.

The second period saw the Pats grab make it 4-3 on the power play as Eberle found a pinching Victor Bartley who netted his 14th of the year. However two Hitmen goals late in the second period by Sonne and Broda pulled them to an insurmountable 6-3 lead.

That’s the way things finished off and with the Prince Albert Raiders and Edmonton Oil Kings both winning, the Pats now have themselves a five point hill to climb for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with eight games left. They can help out their cause Friday night with a win over the Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook, an 8:00 start Regina time (7:35 Press Box Sports Bar Pats Pregame on 620 CKRM).

All three stars were Calgary Hitmen with the Taylor Toyota Hardest Working Pat being Linden Rowat.

(Postgame wrap-up by Dan Plaster/Rod Pedersen)

Multiplex A Go!

CKRM's Tom Vernon and the Voice of the Warriors James Gallo report a 60% YES vote in the Moose Jaw referendum.

That means the Moose Jaw is getting their new arena. Congratulations!!

Game Day Randoms

CALGARY -- The Regina Pats arrived in Cowtown at 4:00am Alberta time today, and after dropping off their gear in the Saddledome, checked into their south Calgary hotel. They suffered a devastating 5-2 loss in Swift Current last night and remain three points out of a playoff spot with nine games left to play. A mere win would've put the club one point out and things would look a lot better.

Tonight they have their work cut out for them, facing the #2 team in the nation, the Calgary Hitmen, in their own barn. You can watch it too, on Rogers Sportsnet at 8:00pm Regina time (and 620 CKRM radio). Time is quickly running out on the Queen City Kids.

- Chinook? Where's the chinook? It's -21 here in Calgary today. Cripes, it's warmer at home! I was hoping for a weather reprieve on this roadie.

- Calgary Rider fans have responded --> we'll be selling Green Magic - Canada's Team Wins The 2007 Grey Cup at tonight's Pats-Hitmen game in the Saddledome. Look for my set-up on the concourse before the game from 6:00 to 6:30pm and in the first intermission as well. Be quick -- I've only brought along one case! $30 cash or cheque, payable to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

- This is the first time we've stayed in this hotel which is situated right across the street from Ranchman's, the site of my 18th birthday party. So the hotel is fine, other than the treadmill and stationary bike being broken. So the elliptical it was for this kid this morning..

- Our promotion Ask The Broadcaster for Prairie Mobile Communications is turning into an episode of "The Bachelor". Swooning women have answered the bell, and are sending in photos as applications to date Pats colour commentator Dan Plaster. One request from the radio crew: PLEASE be fully clothed in the pictures. In some submissions, the females are NOT.

- A note to our friends at Rogers Sportsnet --> PLEASE leave Mike Toth on Sportsnet Connected in the AM! Plaster and I are Mike Toth fans.

- Breakfast Television in Alberta is a treat. I wish we had that program in Saskatchewan...

- Our winner on Ask The Broadcaster last night was Ted Manzies of Lumsden who asked if the Pats players read this blog and if they've ever had an issue with what I've written or said. Ted pointed out some of the strong comments I've made this year. The fact is, I've had no negative feedback from the players. Brent Parker is right in that they are teenagers, amateurs, and should be spared the criticism and abuse that's heaped on the pro's. HOWEVER, they get all the benefits that the pro's get except for the paycheque. They need to be able to take the good with the bad and while I'm the first to pat them on the back, I won't hesitate to kick them in the rear either.

And I've still never been so disappointed with a team than I am with this one. The issues - at some point I hope - will be addressed within the team. I MAY get into it on the blog when the season's over.

Maybe.

But first let's see how it turns out.
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CHL Mosaik MasterCard Top-10 Rankings – Week 23

1. Windsor Spitfires (52-6-0-1)
2. Calgary Hitmen (54-7-3-1)
3. Vancouver Giants (49-7-1-3)
4. Drummondville Voltigeurs (47-10-0-4)
5. Shawinigan Cataractes (47-12-2-0)
6. Belleville Bulls (41-15-2-2)
7. Saskatoon Blades (44-15-3-1)
8. Brandon Wheat Kings (42-16-3-1)
9. Moncton Wildcats (44-10-2-4)
10. Brampton Battalion (39-18-1-1)

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Defending champion Jennifer Jones is back in top form at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Victoria. She crushed Quebec's Marie-France Larouche 10-3 in today's early draw. Jones lost both of her games yesterday. She is 6-and-2 after 12 draws. B-C leads the standings at 6-and-1.

Broncos 5 Pats 2

SWIFT CURRENT -- The Regina Pats' two game win streak was snapped courtesy a 5-2 loss to the division rival Swift Current Broncos before a small crowd Tuesday night in the Credit Union I-Plex..

The bad breaks for the Pats continued, as the winning goal came on a disputed play in the third period. Regina defenceman Matt Delahey got tangled up with linesman Darren Holeha allowing Bronco forward Dillon Wagner to swoop in alone on Pats goalie Linden Rowat. He deposited it five-hole on Rowat for his seventh goal of the year and it stood up as the winner. Delahey received a 10-minute misconduct moments later for arguing the play with referees Nathan Wieler and Chris Savage.

The goal came just 1:25 into the third, but the Pats were taxed the rest of the way with perhaps their top defenceman cooling his heels in the sin bin.

Regina opened the scoring on Jordan Eberle's 32nd goal of the year at 10:26 of the first period. However a pair of powerplay goals from Swift Current's Spencer McAvoy and Geordie Wudrick in the middle frame made it 2-1 Broncos after forty minutes.

The Wagner goal made it 3-1, but Regina's Tomas Hricina made it a one goal game with his 12th of the season at 1:56 of the third. The Pats ran into penalty troubles in that final frame and Bronco leading scorer Keegan Dansereau made it 4-2 at 8:56 with the man advantage tally. Eberle had a chance to make it a one goal affair again midway through the third with a penalty shot, but was repelled by Yonkman. Jan Dalecky iced the game with an empty-netter in the final minute.

Game over. Broncos 5 Pats 2

"I actually thought we played a real good road game up until midway through the second but undisciplined penalties got us in trouble," said Pats coach Dale Derkatch on on the CKRM postgame show. "We were winning the game up until that point. But some individuals, not too many, but two or three guys didn't have a strong game. We just gave them too many chances."

Derkatch talked about the game winning goal.

"Sometimes I don't know what goes on. Yes, it's unfortunate and I don't blame Delly. But, I guess as a team, when you're not 100% focused, these things can happen. We just took too many penalties. Some of them were unlucky like pucks going into the crowd, but some were just bad."

The Broncos outshot the Pats 41-28 over the course of the game while going a devastating 3/7 on the powerplay while the Pats were 0/1 on their own man advantage.

Molson 3-Stars: 1) McAvoy 2) Yonkman 3) Eakin. Hardest Working Pat: Jordan Eberle.

The Pats have nine games left in the regular season and squandered one of their games in hand over P.A. and Edmonton. They trail those teams by three points for the final playoff spot down the homestretch.

Game two of the three game road trip goes Wednesday night in Calgary at 8:00pm on 620 CKRM and Rogers Sportsnet (7:35pm Press Box Sports Bar Pats Pregame Show).

Lawton On Fire

From TSN.ca:

VICTORIA - B.C.'s Marla Mallett might be leading the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, but Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton has become the skip to watch.

Lawton earned two victories Tuesday to vault herself back into contention at the Canadian women's curling championship. The 28-year-old native of Prince Albert, Sask., has put an 0-3 start well behind her, winning four straight to remain just two games behind Mallett (6-1) in the overall standings.

Canada's Jennifer Jones is alone in second at 5-1, followed by Alberta's Cheryl Bernard and Quebec's Marie-France Larouche at 4-2. Lawton is next at 4-3.

Lawton, third Marliese Kasner, second Sherri Singler and lead Lana Vey opened the day with a thrilling 7-6 win over Jones, handing the defending champion her first defeat. Lawton followed with a 10-6 win over the Territories' Kerry Galusha in Draw 10, and is finally showing the form that made her one of the pre-tournament favourites.

"We're catching on to the ice and making great shots out there," said Lawton. "Every game is getting stronger, and that's what we want to build on.

"We know we can still improve, but we definitely feel good."

The front end of Vey and Singler has been sensational, ranking at the top of their respective positions all week. The duo was especially effective against Canada, outplaying lead Dawn Askin and second Jill Officer and forcing Jones and third Cathy Overton-Clapham to make difficult shots throughout the game.

As a result, Canada allowed its first two steals of the tournament, including the decisive single point in the 10th that ended its 13-game Scotties winning streak.

"Our front end is curling awesome," said Lawton, who leads in overall team efficiency at 83 per cent. "They're the best front end out there.

"They make a ton of shots, and it makes it a lot easier on Marliese and I."

Things looked bleak for Lawton after she gave up a steal of two in the eighth end to fall behind 6-4. A well-played ninth end yielded two points, and Lawton executed a perfect 10th-end strategy, protecting a shot deep in the rings with multiple guards.

Jones was forced to attempt a difficult runback for her single point, but the Canada stone settled about an inch short, handing Saskatchewan the win.

Tuesday afternoon's game was dicey for the first eight ends, with Galusha hanging in against the 2000 Canadian junior champion. But Lawton took three points with the hammer in the ninth, and Galusha opted for the handshake.

It's been an emotional week for Lawton, whose mother, Linda Miller, is back home in Saskatchewan after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour late last year. Linda's husband, Bob, who also serves as the Saskatchewan coach, chose to stay behind with her.

Lawton says she has made plenty of calls home this week.

"Mom and dad are pretty excited," said Lawton. "I think they'll be able to breathe a little easier now that we've won a few games."

Mallett's rink bounced back nicely after a 4-3 loss to Bernard on Monday night.

The Vancouver foursome throttled Barb Spencer 12-4 in morning action, dropping Manitoba to 2-4. Mallett put the game away with three in the third end, and added a five-spot in the fifth for good measure. Draw 10 was much tougher, with Mallett needing a hit for two in the 10th to beat New Brunswick's Andrea Kelly 7-5.

Mallett said she isn't feeling any additional stress as the overall leader.

"Every game, there's pressure," said Mallett. "You have to bring your best to the ice every time you come out, or you're going to get beat. The field is just too good."

Larouche moved back into contention with a 10-8, 11-end win over Ontario's Krista McCarville (3-4).

The Quebec foursome started slowly - trailing 5-1 at one point - but roared back to tie the game with three in the 10th end. Larouche then left McCarville with a difficult double-raise for a single in the 11th, and the Ontario skip couldn't execute.

In other Draw 10 action, Newfoundland and Labrador's Heather Strong (3-4) scored four points in the fourth end and cruised to a 9-3 win over P.E.I.'s Rebecca Jean MacPhee (3-3).
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This Week in Cougar Athletics

Women’s Track & Field (CIS Ranking: No. 7) - The University of Regina’s track & field teams will host the 2009 Canada West Championships this weekend at the Regina Fieldhouse. Leading the way for the women’s team will be fifth-year athlete Janine Polischuk, who enters the weekend ranked No. 1 in the conference in the long jump, the triple jump, and the 60-metre hurdles. Chelsea Valois is also expected to come up strong for the Cougars, as she is the top-ranked athlete in Canada West in the pentathlon, No. 2 in the long jump, and No. 3 in both the 60-metre hurdles and the high jump. The Cougars are expected to make plenty of noise in the three jumps events. The triple jump might prove to be the team’s most lucrative event of the meet, as the top five jumps in Canada West this year belong to U of R athletes * Polischuk, Keisha Sharp, Nicole Breker, Robyn Bauck, and Alison Jestadt.

Men’s Track & Field - On the men’s side, rookies Justin Eckert and Connor MacDonald are expected to challenge for a medal in the high jump. Both first-year Cougars cleared the bar at an even two metres earlier this season and are the only Canada West athletes to hit the CIS standard in the event this year. Justin Baker, who competed in the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships in the 110-metre hurdles, enters this weekend as the No. 1-ranked conference athlete in the 60-metre hurdles. Baker holds a season-best time of 8.36 seconds in the event, which is just two one-hundredths of a second slower than the CIS standard. Veteran Ian Jestadt is the two-time defending conference champion in the triple jump and enters the weekend ranked No. 1 in Canada West in the event with a season-best jump of 14.1 metres.

Women’s Basketball (CIS Ranking: No. 3) - The Cougars won their second consecutive Great Plains Division championship on Friday night after completing a two-game sweep over the No. 7-ranked Winnipeg Wesmen. Regina won handily on Thursday, scoring a 64-45 win over Winnipeg, but Friday’s game wasn’t decided until the final buzzer with the Cougars coming through with a 60-59 victory. The win gives the Cougars a berth in the Canada West Final Four in Burnaby, B.C., where they’ll match up with the Saskatchewan Huskies in a semifinal game on Friday night. The winner of that game will advance to the conference championship game against the winner of the Simon Fraser/Alberta semifinal. All four teams have already earned a berth in the CIS Championship, scheduled for March 6 through 8 in Regina.

Men’s and Women’s Wrestling - The Cougars will travel to Calgary this weekend to compete in the CIS Championships. Connor Malloy leads the men’s side, as the first-year wrestler was named the Canada West Rookie of the Year after going a perfect 4-0 at 72 kilograms at the conference championships two weekends ago. Gilbert Musonza, Chad Bates, Kyle Bershatsky, Steven Schneider, and Jarret Coels have also qualified for the Cougars. Hajar Ashtiani headlines the U of R’s women’s team, as the fourth-year grappler won all three of her matches at 48 kilograms at the conference meet and was named the Canada West Female Wrestler of the Year. Jade Parsons, Jasmine Slinn, and Inga Van Vliet will join Ashtiani at this weekend’s meet.

Men’s Basketball - The Cougars won Game 1 in overtime to take an early lead in the Great Plains Division final over Brandon, but the Bobcats recovered with wins on Saturday and Sunday to take the series two games to one. The win gives Brandon the last-ever Great Plains Division championship, as the Central and Great Plains divisions will merge next year to form a new eight-team East Division. Brandon moves on to the Canada West Final Four, which will be hosted by UBC this weekend. U of R head coach James Hillis expects to return the entire roster next season with the exception of graduating fourth-year centre Steven Christie.

Men’s Hockey - The Cougars needed just a single point over the weekend to clinch fifth place in the conference, but were beaten twice in regulation - 4-3 on Friday and 4-0 on Saturday - by the No. 8-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies and dropped to sixth in Canada West after UBC swept Calgary. The Cougars will play the Manitoba Bisons in a best-of-three Canada West quarterfinal series that begins March 6. Regina has played Manitoba more times in the postseason than any other team, with the Bisons holding a 17-10 edge in the 27 playoff games played between them.

Men’s and Women’s Swimming - Linda Duarte and Andrew Malawski represented the University of Regina’s swimming teams at the 2009 CIS Championships over the weekend in Vancouver, with Duarte’s fifth-place finish in the 200-metre butterfly highlighting the duo’s performance. Duarte qualified for the ‘A’ final by posting a time of 2:18.32, the sixth-best time in the preliminaries. She moved up to fifth place in the finals after finishing the event in a career-best time of 2:16.69, which also stands as a U of R school record. Making his final appearance as a Cougar, Malawski’s highlight was in the 50-metre breaststroke, where he recorded a time of 29.60 seconds in the preliminaries to hit the senior national standard and qualify for the ‘B’ final in the event. Malawski swam 29.84 seconds in the final, ending up in 16th place in the event.

Tillman Case Adjourned Until March

Eric Tillman's lawyer Aaron Fox appeared in provincial court in Regina this morning requesting his client's preliminary hearing be put over until March 17. The Saskatchewan Roughriders GM is facing a charge of sexual assault.

The Crown did not object to the motion. No plea was entered, and Tillman was not present at the proceedings. Also, the Crown said it is pursuing a less severe summary conviction.

That means Tillman would face no more than 18 months in jail if found guilty compared to the maximum of 10 years if the Crown had chose to proceed by indictment.

Mitch Crumley, a Crown prosecutor, explained to CKRM's Tom Vernon today:

"We elected to proceed summarily after reviewing the circumstances of the file and the background of the accused. It's one of those assessment things the crown does."

"The penalties under the criminal code for sexual assault , when the crown proceeds by indictment, the maximum imprisonment is ten years. When the crown proceeds summarily, the accused is liable to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months."

(620 CKRM News/Canadian Press)

Day 1

Roughrider General Manager Eric Tillman is scheduled to make his first court appearance today on a charge of sexual assault.
The charge was laid by Regina Police earlier this month in connection with an incident alleged to have taken place last August involving a 16 year old girl. Tillman has been on administrative leave by the football club while the legal process runs its course.

He is not expected to be in the courtroom today, instead being represented by lawyer Aaron Fox.
(620 CKRM News, Tom Vernon)
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The Regina Pats open a three game road trip tonight when they visit the Swift Current Broncos at 7:30pm. 620 CKRM has the broadcast (7:05pm Press Box Sports Bar Pats Pregame Show).

The Pats enter the night three points behind P.A. and Edmonton for the final playoff spot.

NOTES:
Streaking:
*Jordan Eberle has 5 goals in 8 games during the month of February.
*Jordan Weal has 4 points in his last 2 games
*Mitch Czibere has 5 points in last 5 games
*Linden Rowat has started in 28 of the Pats last 31 games

Eberle topping the charts:
With his goal Sunday night against the Warriors, Jordan Eberle now has 101 for his Pat career. This puts him in a tie with Karry Biette (Pats 90-94) and one behind Brent Fedyk (Pats 82-87) and Gerry Minor (Pats 74-78) on the modern Pats all-time list (1966-present). Eberle’s 192 pushed him by Dave Faulkner (Pats 73-75) and is 3 points behind Kyle Calder (Pats 95-99) on the all-time Pats point list.

Weal’s freshman success:
With his three points against the Warriors on Sunday night, Jordan Weal now has 58 points this season, which is 3 more than what Jordan Eberle had in his rookie season.

Leffler’s break-out season:
Brett Leffler grabbed an assist this past Sunday, which was his 50th point of the season. This doubles his career point output, which gives him 100 points for his WHL career.

Bartley’s career year:
Pats 20 year-old captain, Victor Bartley, is having a fantastic final season in the WHL. He is the only Pat to play in all 62 games this season and is a point away from tying a career best for a season with 43.

This Week:
It’s a busy 7 days for the Regina Pats, as they will play 4 times, 3 of them on the road. It begins Tuesday in Swift Current in a date with the Broncos, then a quick jaunt through the Central Division with stops in Calgary and Cranbrook. The week ends with Kyle Beach and the Lethbridge Hurricanes pay a visit to the Brand Centre this Sunday at 6pm.

Making a run to the WHL playoffs:
As of this Monday, the Pats are currently 3 points back of both the Edmonton Oil Kings and Prince Albert Raiders for the final playoff spot, with 2 games at hand on both teams. Here’s who all three teams will face for the rest of the season.

Pats:
Home (4): Lethbridge (Mar 1), Medicine Hat (Mar 6), Brandon (Mar 7), Swift Current (Mar 14)
Away (6): Swift Current (Feb 24), Calgary (Feb 25), Kootenay (Feb 27), Moose Jaw (Mar 8), Prince Albert (Mar 11), Swift Current (Mar 13)

Raiders:
Home (4): Brandon (Mar 4), Saskatoon (Mar 6), Regina (Mar 11), Saskatoon (Mar 13)
Away (4): Kootenay (Feb 25), Medicine Hat (Feb 27), Red Deer (Feb 28), Saskatoon (Mar 14)

Oil Kings:
Home (5): Red Deer (Feb 25), Swift Current (Mar 6), Lethbridge (Mar 8), Kootenay (Mar 11), Red Deer (Mar 15)
Away (3): Swift Current (Feb 27), Moose Jaw (Feb 28), Red Deer (Mar 14)

Show Your Rider Pride!

Rider Pride shines through even in February ... Here's my buddy Kris on a mountain top at Panorama......


A little Rider Prider in Victoria.....




The Shepherds at Epcott Centre at Disneyworld.....

Chris Hartnell sent this one, showing Rider Pride by the Heidelburg Castle in Germany..

The K-Dogg's crew showing Rider Pride at their ski villa at Panorama....


"Rod, I have a lot of pictures but I figured you might like this one, it was taken on the bow of the HMCS Regina on my trip to vancouver this summer. I am trying to do the"I'm the king of the world" thing from Titanic (a movie I have never seen either). Anyway it prettey cool I used it in one of my riderfans columns this summer.

cheers, Norm"

Send your Rider Pride photos from around the globe to this blog at sportsline@620ckrm.com !

Ring The Bell // Riders Release Four

Bell To Join Pats For Remainder Of Season

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats first round pick from the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft, Myles Bell will join the Blue & White for the rest of the 2008-09 regular season, and playoffs. His midget-AAA season ended this weekend as his Calgary Northwest Flames were eliminated in the first round of the AMHL playoffs by the Calgary Buffaloes.

With the Flames this season, Bell played in 25 games with 6 goals, 9 assists for 15 points as well as collecting 67 penalty minutes. Bell was also named to the AMHL all-star game for Team South, but had to miss it with a shoulder injury.

In two games this season with the Pats, Bell picked up an assist against the Chilliwack Bruins.
----

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released the following four players:

Henri Childs, Sebastian Clovis, Jimmy Verdon, Dek Bake

TSN.ca BREAKING NEWS ALERT...

New York Rangers fire head coach Tom Renney...MORE AT TSN.ca

The Monday Morning Goalie

Welcome to a brand new week. And what a week it's going to be......

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The Pats closed out last week with an impressive pair of victories over the Moose Jaw Warriors (5-2 Friday and 4-1 Sunday), and it's got them within a whiff of the playoffs. They now trail P.A. and Edmonton by three points for 8th with 10 games to go.

The naysaysers will say "yah, but you only beat Moose Jaw!". You know what, who cares what the naysayers say?

Check it out -- only a handful of comments on the blog after the Pats win, yet 20 or more comments when they lose.

Welcome to the Regina sports scene where most people are not happy unless they are not happy.
----

The Pats missed the boat Friday night in that home game against the Warriors. CKRM colour man Al Dumba said they should've had a popcorn eating contest at centre ice to make light of Colten Teubert's "fat guy eating popcorn" comment in the L-P on Friday.
----

Eric Tillman's preliminary hearing is set for tomorrow in Regina. Don't be surprised if the Saskatchewan Roughriders GM is not present, but is represented at the proceedings by his legal counsel Aaron Fox.

We won't have wall-to-wall coverage here, but I WILL post any and all news stories generated by CKRM radio news from Tuesday's event. I had planned to be there for all of it, but I checked the Pats schedule and see we leave tomorrow for a week-long road trip.

But I also know how important it is to have the latest info. The day the story broke, this website attracted a single-day record of 7,000 hits. The previous highs were the day of the Trevis Smith conviction (3,500) and the day of the Kerry Joseph trade to Toronto (3,000).

If you came here the day of the charge and saw nothing, you shouldn't be surprised. We've been advised to say nothing, and that's why it's been so quiet lately. That will change as we get updates.
----

For anybody who thinks they're above the team, or above their place-of-work, consider this quote which I'll never forget:

Would there be a PGA without Tiger Woods?

Yes.

Would there be a Tiger Woods without the PGA?

No.
----

Overheard on ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd show this morning: "No one cares that Bill Belichick's a creep. It's pro football. Just win games."
----

D.T. Jensen is back. Check out the exiled blogger's comments on the Pats story below....
----

Who gets into the Hockey Hall of Fame first -- Don Cherry or Reggie Leach?

Or neither. Or both?
----

Chris Hartnell please send me your Rider Pride photos again from outside the Heidelberg castle in Germany! I accidentally deleted them. sportsline@620ckrm.com
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Three draws per day of the 2009 Scotties in Victoria this week? Yikes! Methinks Dan Plaster and I will be falling asleep with Vic Rauter's voice in our heads many times during this upcoming road trip.

Is attendance down at the Save On Foods Centre in Victoria? Sure looks like it.

The womens curling, I find, is far more interesting than the men's and therefore this will be a good week.

And the decision to air three draws per day is a gamble by TSN, but one which will pay off.
----

This blog fully recommends you go see the movie "The Wrestler". But take your buddies, not your significant other. I forgot women aren't too much into pro wrestling like we are/used to be. Cindy spent most of the show with her head buried in my shoulder.

Everything you wanted to know about pro wrestling but were afraid to ask is covered in this movie with Mickey Rourke.

Two thumbs and one big toe up for this one..
----

A guy from Ft Qu'Appelle told me in Mexico that the Farmer's Almanac was bang on -- this would be the harshest winter in decades. Maybe a century.

Apparently the Alamanac says this summer will be above-average hot.
----

Whomever said "early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" is full of bunk.

I'm up at 5:00am everyday and I'm none of those things.
----

Looks like Josh Harding is up to his old tricks. The Minnesota Wild goalie from Regina made 44 saves in a 2-1 win at Minnesota Sunday.

I'll never forget the night he made 57 saves in Swift Current in a 1-1 Pats/Broncos tie and he assisted on Regina's goal. I still have the scoresheet.
----

The Regina Rebels are Hosting a Benefit Game for Mandi Schwartz AND WE NEED YOUR HELP! All gate admission and 50/50 proceeds will go towards supporting Mandi in her fight against Leukemia.

Midget AAA Female Hockey Action
Game 1 in the best of 5 series
The Regina Rebels VS. The Notre Dame Hounds
Date: Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
Time: 7:45 p.m. (puck drop!)
Place: Doug Wickenheiser Arena
Come and cheer your REBELS to victory and at the same time support a very great cause!
----

If you're looking for a confidence boost, DO NOT take the Wii Fit body test. I was found to be OBESE on Saturday night. But I felt better to learn Pats goalie coach Ryan Cyr was diagnosed as the same.

Guess it's time to go over to the Lawson for sweatin' with the oldies!

Talk to you on Sportsline tonight. We'll likely do an open phones program for the first time in awhile..
RP

Pats 4 Warriors 1 // Supporting The Multiplex!

MOOSE JAW -- That's the Regina Pats broadcast crew prior to Sunday's Pats-Warriors showdown in the Crushed Can. Dan Plaster on the left, me on the right. 2,000 of those shirts were handed out prior to the game, supporting Wednesday's Multiplex vote in Moose Jaw.

But it was Regina star Jordan Eberle spoiling the party, netting a goal and three assists in a much-needed and well-deserved 4-1 victory for the Pats over their top rivals. The Pats' Mitch Czibere opened the scoring at 13:21 of the first period on a goal set up by the two Jordans (Eberle and Weal). However just over two minutes later, Warrior captain Jason Bast tied the game on a 100-foot slapshot from centre ice which eluded Regina goalie Linden Rowat.

It would be the only Moose Jaw shot that got by Rowat, as the Pats got a second period goal from Eberle - his 31st - and a pair of third period goals from Mitch Czibere and Matt Robertson to salt away a 4-1 triumph.

The allowed the Pats to pull to within three points of Prince Albert and Edmonton who hold down the final playoff spot in the WHL's East Conference with 10 games to go.

Regina outshot the Warriors 36-26 while going 1/3 on the powerplay and 5/5 killing penalties. The Pats improved to 25-31-1-5 with the win while the Warriors dropped to 17-42-1-2. Regina's won six of seven meetings between the clubs.

Molson 3-Stars: 1) Eberle 2) Weal 3) Bosch. Hardest Working Pat: Czibere.

The game lacked the intensity of the typical Pats-Warriors battles, OFF the ice at least. It was intense between the boards but the Regina-Moose Jaw love-in over the Multiplex night we didn't see any tilts in the stands until AFTER the game. That's when Warriors marketing staff had to pull two 10-year old kids apart. It's not yet known which towns they were representing but it occurred right in front of the press box. Very entertaining.

The Pats now head on the road for three this week -- Tuesday in Swift Current, Wednesday in Calgary and Friday in Kootenay before returning home for a date with the Lethbridge Hurricanes Sunday, March 1.
----

VICTORIA - Defending champion Jennifer Jones remained unbeaten at the Scott Tournament of Hearts with a 12-5 win over Manitoba's Barb Spencer in Draw 5 action Sunday.

Jones, of Winnipeg, improved to 3-0 with the victory, moving into a three-way tie atop the standings with B.C.'s Marla Mallett and Quebec's Marie-France Larouche. Mallett scored three in the ninth end to beat Ontario's Krista McCarville 8-7, while Larouche joined the three-win club earlier Sunday with a 9-4 drubbing of P.E.I.'s Robyn McPhee.

McCarville dropped to 2-1 with the loss, tied with McPhee and Cheryl Bernard of Alberta. Bernard capped a two-win Sunday with a 6-4 victory over Andrea Kelly of Nova Scotia (1-2).

Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton of Saskatoon is 0-3 after a 10-7 loss to Newfoundland's Heather Strong Sunday night. Lawton faces PEI Monday morning on TSN.
(The Canadian Press)

Yikes! Lawton Loses Again

BC's Marla Mallett and Ontario's Krista McCarville both moved
into a tie for first with wins today at the Scotties Tournament of
Hearts. Mallett improved to 2-0 with a 9-8 win in an extra end over
Newfoundland and Labrador's Heather Strong. McCarville also earned
her second straight victory with a 8-7 decision over Saskatchewan's
Stefanie Lawton.

Tonight's A Big Night In Moose Jaw

Lots and lots of hockey on the blog today. And a little curling...


MOOSE JAW -- The Crushed Can is the place to be tonight as the Regina Pats visit the Warriors in a Sunday night 'Dub showdown (7pm 620 CKRM, Press Box Sports Bar Pats Pregame Show at 6:35pm).

As far as the Pats are concerned, really nothing is more important than the two points which are on the line but we'll talk about that more in a minute. For the Warriors, it's White Out Night in support of a 'yes' vote for the new Moose Jaw Multiplex, with the deciding referendum to be held this week. The first 2,000 fans will receive white Multiplex T-shirts, but everyone is encouraged to wear white to the game regardless.

Even Pats fans are joining the party, urging each other to wear their white Pats jerseys to the game in support of keeping their top rival in the Band City. This week's vote will definitively decide whether this project moves ahead or not. If it doesn't, the Warriors will begin living on borrowed time, destined to wind up in another city before long.

The Warriors are repaying the favour to Regina for the support, as they dumped the Raiders in P.A. 4-3 last night thanks to a late goal by Travis Hamonic. That leaves the Pats four points behind P.A. for 9th in the WHL's East Conference however it's now the Edmonton Oil Kings the Pats are chasing. The Oil Kings got a point from a 4-3 shootout loss in Prince George last night to claim sole possession of the final playoff spot with 59 points, five better than Regina.

It's going to be a fun night. Hopefully we'll see you there!
----

Prince Edward Island and Quebec top the standings at 2-and-0
after the second draw at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in
Victoria. Team Canada's Jennifer Jones won her opening match. BC,
Ontario and Nova Scotia are also 1-0.

Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton is 0-1 and plays Ontario Sunday morning
on TSN.
(Alberta's Cheryl Bernard photo courtesy Canadian Press)
----

KENNEWICK, WA - Hockey fans in the Tri-Cities are starting to understand…when the Spokane Chiefs come to town, you are going to want a ticket.

Chet Pickard stopped 41 shots and Adam Hughesman scored the game-winner, as the Tri-City Americans (42-16-0-3, 87 pts) outlasted the visiting Spokane Chiefs (39-19-0-3, 81 pts) 2-1 in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,919 fans at Toyota Center. With the win, the Americans stretched their winning streak to four games, while picking up their first win over the Chiefs since December 31. Tri-City, which is 4-3-0-2 vs. Spokane this season, also increased their lead to six points over the Chiefs in the race for the U.S. Division title. Meanwhile, the loss was the second straight set-back for Spokane, who also maintains a slim three-point lead over fourth-place Kelowna in the conference standings.

The sold-out crowd was the fourth straight for the Chiefs and Americans at Toyota Center and, before they could even get to their seat, Tri-City gave them a chance to be heard.

Just 14 seconds into the contest and with the game’s first shot, Mitch Fadden electrified the crowd with a perfectly placed shot, over Dustin Tokarski’s glove, giving Tri-City the early 1-0 lead. With the goal, Fadden has now recorded a goal in four straight games, one shy of his season-high.
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SASKATOON -- The Saskatoon Blades sent 6,028 fans home happy as they defeated the Kootenay Ice 5-3.

Blades defenseman Colin Joe opened the scoring at 8:11 of the first period with an assist going to Adam Chorneyko. The Ice tied things up on the power play a little over a minute into the second period. Walker Wintoneak put the Blades up by one again with his team leading 27th goal of the season. Chris Langkow and Burke Gallimore would both add to the Blades lead before the period was out to put the Blades up 4-2 heading into the third.

Stefan Elliott scored his 15th of the year while on the man advantage to put the Blades up 5-2. Brayden McNabb would reply with a power play marker of his own but it was not enough as the Blades controlled the rest of the game.

Braden Holtby made 19 saves on 22 shots to record his 36th win of the year.
----

KAMLOOPS BC - Evander Kane scored two goals in the third period and one in
overtime as the Giants erased a 3-2 deficit to win 5-4 over the Blazers in
Kamloops.

With the win, Vancouver ties their franchise record with their 49th win of
the season. The Giants will try and get to 50 wins on Sunday night as they
face the Seattle Thunderbirds in Kent, WA.
----

PORTLAND -- Jonathan Parker had two goals and two assists Saturday night to help lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 4-3 win over the Portland Winter Hawks at Memorial Coliseum.

With the win the T-Birds clinched a berth in the playoffs. Seattle improves to 29-29-1-3 and is now tied with the Kamloops Blazers for fifth in the Western Conference playoff standings. Seattle has one game in hand on the Blazers. The T-Birds finish out the weekend against the Vancouver Giants on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. at ShoWare Center.
----

CFL sees future in N.B.; League games to form centrepiece of annual events
Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Byline: Jesse Robichaud Times & Transcript Staff

The Canadian Football League is rumbling slowly but surely toward Moncton en route to its goal of becoming a truly coast-to-coast circuit.

CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon was in Moncton last week meeting with Mayor George LeBlanc and staff after meeting with Premier Shawn Graham at his office in Fredericton.

They discussed the creation a new annual weekend celebration of football in Moncton that could kick off as soon as fall 2010.

The annual weekend would revolve around a regular season CFL game between two rivals, a high-profile university football match that would draw students from across the Maritimes, and likely quite a bit of tailgate revelling.

"We see it as an opportunity to expand our base and use it as a platform to really celebrate football, trying to make the league coat to coast," said Cohon.

"We are looking at a multi-year commitment to try to bring a regular season game out here, and really create a fun weekend around it " create a mini Grey Cup," said Cohon.

In addition to the new stadium that is currently under construction on the Université de Moncton campus, Cohon said the CFL is drawn to Moncton by the popularity of football east of Quebec, and Moncton's ability to draw fans from across the region.

"In talking to the premier and the mayor it is a great city for pulling for events because you can pull from PEI, you can pull from Halifax and across New Brunswick."

Premier Shawn Graham and Moncton-East Liberal MLA Chris Collins travelled to Montreal last fall to meet with Cohon and CFL team owners during last fall's Grey Cup to discuss bringing CFL football to Moncton.

Graham said yesterday that the Atlantic Bowl fits into his government's vision of Moncton as the entertainment hub of Atlantic Canada.

"The fact that the commissioner has taken time out of his schedule to be here speaks volumes for his commitment of trying to develop and Atlantic Bowl that is going to be positioned in Moncton."

Graham said each level of government has a role to play in making the event happen. He said there is still plenty of preparatory work to do, but he said the payoff is worth the investment.

"The tourism revenue that would be generated, plus the promotional material having TSN here for a weekend event promoting the region, you can't buy that kind of coverage," said Graham.

"The fact that CFL is looking at establishing a toe hold in Atlantic Canada and is choosing Moncton I think is a pretty exciting time."

The City of Moncton's major event czar, Ian Fowler, said there was much progress made in yesterday's discussions.

He said it is just a matter of time before the Atlantic Bowl becomes a reality.

"As Mayor LeBlanc has indicated to the commissioner he is most interested in moving this forward," said Fowler.

"With the support of our local MLAs this is going to become a reality."

Fowler said there are still many details and numbers to work out, but he said the political will is firmly in place.

"The important thing step is there is a commitment form the CFL, there is a commitment form the Province of New Brunswick, and there is a commitment from the City of Moncton," said Fowler.

"The will is there and everybody wants to make this happen so we as staff have some work to do."

As for fans who dream of a CFL team that Moncton can call its own, Cohon said it is best to take the growing partnership one step at a time.

"Let's walk before we run," said Cohon with a quick smile.

"I think this is great way for us to build a base. Obviously there are issues and opportunities we would have to address. Most of our stadiums have 30, 000 seats."

The stadium that is currently being built on the U de M campus will have 10, 000 permanent seats with capability to add 10,000 more temporary seats.

Cohon has made it clear that said the league is in a position to look at expanding as stadium attendance and television ratings have climbed in recent years.

Lawton Falls At Scotties

B-C's Marla Mallett is opening the Scotties Tournament of Hearts
with an upset win in Victoria. She stole two points in the 10th end
of an 8-7 win over Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton. Mallett is
hoping to become the first hometown skip to win the Scotties since
Kelley Law did it in 2000.
(C-P)

Stabbing At Regina Sports Bar

A man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a
stabbing in East Regina last night. Police say at around
7:30pm a fight broke out near the sports bar The Hub on Star Lite
street just off of Victoria Avenue.

During the altercation a 20 year old man was stabbed in the back.
He was rushed to hospital and had emergency surgery. A 22 year old man
has been arrested and is being questioned. The major crimes
unit has been called in to investigate.
(620 CKRM News)

Pats 5 Warriors 2

REGINA -- F-I-N-A-L-L-Y.

The Regina Pats snapped their longest losing streak of the season -- seven games -- with a hard-fought 5-2 triumph over the Moose Jaw Warriors Friday night in the Brandt Centre. 5272 fans turned out for Saturn of Regina Jordan Eberle Poster Night, and although their beloved star was held pointless, I'm sure no one minded as the Pats finally climbed back into the win column.

Things looked grim early on as the Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Martin Filo (powerplay) and Jason Bast (shorthanded), however Pats captain Victor Bartley sparked his club to life with a powerplay goal with 1:07 left in the opening period.

The Pats torched former teammate Jeff Bosch for three goals in the second period giving the club its first lead of the night. Tomas Hricina scored twice while Garrett Mitchell also found the net.

The only goal of the third period was a Matt Delahey 175-foot empty-net shorthanded goal with 1:50 left in regulation.

Final score: Regina 5 Moose Jaw 2.

The Pats' keys to the game were to be physical, intense and relentless and they were exactly that throughout much of the contest. It was particularly evident in the first frame as Regina's Brett Leffler and Bartley laid out pulverizing checks. But as is their reputation, the Warriors just kept a'coming.

Regina withstood five consecutive early penalty-kills in that opening period and wound up 7/8 in that department when all was said and done. They were 1/3 on their own man advantage despite being outshot 36-28.

The win puts the Pats four points behind the idle P.A. Raiders for the final playoff spot with 11 games left to go. It also temporarily places them 10 points behind the Kootenay Ice for seventh in the WHL's East Conference.

Regina's next game is Sunday night in Moose Jaw at 7:00pm on Warriors White Out Night in support of the Moose Jaw Multiplex vote February 25th. The first 2,000 fans will receive white T-shirts in support of the movement. I'll be wearing a white suit and white shoes. I've been waiting for a chance to bust 'em out. Press Box Sports Bar Pats Pregame show at 6:35pm Sunday..

See you then..
Rod P.

Pats will go for a backyard skate

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats, along with Home Depot have teamed up all season long for the annual "Home Depot Backyard Rink Contest". The winner has been drawn from the many rinks that have been entered on-line at reginapats.com, and this season's winner is Alex Galloway of Pilot Butte.

Members of the Regina Pats will be heading to Alex's backyard rink this Saturday February 21st at 2pm to take on Alex and his friends in a friendly game of shinny, and when the fun is done, the Pats will sign autographs for all of the kids.

NHL Trade

TSN.ca BREAKING NEWS ALERT...OTT acquires Mike Comrie, Chris Campoli from NYI for Dean McAmmond, draft pick...MORE AT TSN.ca

Two Rider Announcements

RIDERS ADD KAVIS REED TO COACHING STAFF
 
Saskatchewan Roughrider head coach Ken Miller announced today Kavis Reed has been named the club's running back's coach and special teams coordinator.
 
Reed joins the Green and White after spending the past two seasons in Toronto. After overseeing the defensive backs in 2007 with the Argonauts, he took on the role of defensive coordinator for the team in 2008. Prior to joining Toronto, Reed spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In 2002, Reed joined the Ottawa Renegades coaching staff as the club's defensive back's coach and special teams coordinator. Reed began his coaching career in 2001 with Toronto as the defensive backs coach.
 
Before switching to the coaching ranks, Reed was a star player with the Edmonton Eskimos from 1995-2000 and was named a CFL all-star in 1997. Kavis and his wife Darlene have two children, Tyra and Tarik.
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LABOUR DAY TIME CHANGE

Saskatchewan Roughriders versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers
at Mosaic Stadium – September 6t will now kick-off at 2:00 p.m. (local time)

Please be advised that the scheduled start time for the Sunday, September 6th Labour Day Classic between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium has been changed to 2:00 pm local time from the original starting time of 5:30 pm local time. The game will be broadcast live by TSN and CKRM radio.

Pats Game Day // Huge Rider News

The first 2,000 fans through the turnstiles at tonight's Pats/Warriors game in the Brandt Centre receive the Jordan Eberle poster above, courtesy Saturn of Regina (proud supplier of the 620 CKRM Sports Mobile). The game will also be shown semi-nationally on Rogers Sportsnet (West and Pacific regions), as evidenced by the advertisement above from the Sportsnet website.

For me, the Regina Pats season hinges on this game. I missed the last three Pats games so I'll reserve judgment but as far as I'm concerned, tonight's showdown will dictate how the rest of this season will go. By now you know the story -- the Pats have lost seven straight and stand six points out of the playoffs with 12 games left in the regular season.

It's as simple as this -- if the Pats have a good showing and get a win, then I'll hang in there with hope for the playoffs. If they lose, then I'll start making other plans for the third week in March and beyond.

It's a very, very key showdown.

Can't wait! 7:00pm in the Brandt Centre (Press Box Sports Bar Pats Pregame Show on 620 CKRM). Don't forget the Press Box lunch buffet today -- $10.99, all you can stuff.
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Colten Teubert's had enough of the critics.

The Pats defenceman sounds off in this morning's Leader Post in a story by hockey writer Greg Harder.

"When a fat guy eating popcorn wants to boo me, it really doesn't matter," Teubert said. "To be honest, they can do whatever they want and be negative. Out attitude is, we win and lose as a team. We also keep each other accountable but in a respectful way and a way that team and a family should."

Check out page C-1 for the fascinating story of how Colten's dealing with the landslide of abuse from Pats fans.
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From what I'm hearing this morning, it sounds like the Riders have hired Kavis Reed as their new special teams coach. Reed coached special teams in Ottawa during the Renegades first season in the nation's capital. In 2003, he became the clubs secondary coach. During the subsequent five seasons, he has served as defensive coordinator in Hamilton and Toronto.

Reed, who's expected to be officially announced in the next few days, played in the Edmonton Eskimos secondary for five seasons before retiring due to a neck injury. In 1996 he led the CFL with seven interceptions. Before coming to the CFL, Reed had a stellar career at Furman University in South Carolina, where he received his degree in biology.

What does this mean for longtime - and highly respected - assistant coach Alex Smith?
Smith will now focus exclusively on coaching the team's linebackers, according to what I'm hearing.
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Casey Printers is to be released by the Hamilton Tiger Cats, however contrary to radio reports, the Roughriders are not interested in the 2004 CFL MVP.
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CALGARY RIDER FANS!!!!

Would it be worthwhile to hold a Green Magic - Canada's Team Wins the 2007 Grey Cup book sale and book-signing this Wednesday at McMahon Stadium when the Pats are in town to take on the Hitmen?

Please let me know in the comments section, and I'll make the necessary calls to the Stamps and my buddies in the Calgary media.

We're only a few hundred book sales away from a best-seller and then maybe we can make a second order and distribute the book across the country.
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The other day I read the results of that Angus Reid poll commissioned by the Roughriders.

Among other things, 9 out of 10 Rider fans think the radio broadcasts are professional.

As for the other 10%, I'll see YOU in the parking lot.
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Four Seasons Sports Palace owner George Yannitsos tells me Regina is a Flames town.

Please discuss.
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There's 13 1/2 hours of non-stop hockey on CBC tomorrow on Hockey Day In Canada.
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Star gazing in the Press Box Sports Bar last night ...

TMZ reports Sportsnet's Peter Loubardias and Sam Cosentino were there along with local stars Mitchell Blair and Kelly Remple.
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Sam Cosentino has the whitest teeth in the broadcasting business.

Speaking of teeth, I went to the dentist for the first time in 14 years yesterday and wound up in the capable hands of Dr. Grant Ebanol. He, by the way, is a Pats season ticket holder. I learned two things from the visit:

1) I have some of the biggest teeth his staff has ever seen. And....

2) Hardly anyone reads magazines in waiting rooms anymore. Most everyone is reading their Blackberry's now and surfing online. At least the people in our target demographic are.

Soooo, that's interesting news for people who run websites, particularly a sports website like the one you are currently reading.
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The Ask The Broadcaster feature on Regina Pats broadcasts for Prairie Mobile Communications has become a hit. Each game we ask fans to email us a question to the broadcast booth. If we read it on air in the second intermission, fans win a prize from Prairie Mobile Communications (the official wireless provider to the Regina Pats and 620 CKRM Sports). Tonight for instance, the prize package consists of 2 T-shirts, a hat, pen and calculator from the sponsor. What's the email address? Listen tonight to find out!

Annnyways, we're getting lots of good questions but we're also getting a few from area females who want to know if Pats colour commentator Dan Plaster is single. So we've decided that before we provide the answer, we want a photo submitted.

Well, I decided that. Dan was too afraid to ask.
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There is curling for Wii.

WHAT! Curling has a video game and the CFL DOESN'T??

What kind of a world are we living in?
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REGINA, Sask. - The University of Regina’s women’s basketball team jumped out to a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-three Great Plains Division final after defeating the Winnipeg Wesmen by a score of 64-45 on Thursday night at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

“We won it with our defence tonight,” Cougars head coach Dave Taylor said. “We talked all week about how we might be rusty offensively from the bye and made sure that we gave ourselves the opportunity to win the game defensively.”

The two teams will meet in Game 2 of the series on Friday night at 7 p.m. at the CKHS. Should a third and deciding game be needed, it will be played on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.
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Dr. Phil revealed he runs five miles every morning.

He needs to run more. He's packing on the L-B's. Then again, so am I. But I'm back sweatin' with the oldies in the Lawson.
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I just heard on the police scanner in the CKRM newsroom that there are cars in the ditch on ring road this morning.

Be careful out there! It's -11 in the Queen City today.
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Have a great weekend!! See you tonight maybe..
Rod P.

TSN.ca BREAKING NEWS ALERT...

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have released QB Casey Printers....MORE AT TSN.ca

RIDERS SIGN LERON MITCHELL / Scotties News

Saskatchewan Roughrider head coach Ken Miller announced today the team has re-signed non-import defensive back Leron Mitchell to a two-year plus an option contract. Financial details of the contract were not released.

Mitchell joined the Riders in June, 2008 after being acquired in a trade from Toronto. The Western Ontario product dressed in the first two games for the Riders before suffering a broken leg and missing the remainder of the season. Mitchell was originally drafted by the Argonauts in the second round (12th overall) in the 2006 Canadian Draft.

"We are very happy to sign Leron," said Miller. "He has exceptional football skills and untapped potential. We look forward to seeing what he can do this season."

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Exclusive Wall-to-Wall Coverage of 2009 SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS, Begins Saturday on TSN

Toronto, ON (February 19, 2009) – TSN heads to Victoria, BC, as the best in Canadian women’s curling get set to compete for the national championship at the 2009 SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS, February 21 to March 1, live on TSN. Coverage on TSN begins Saturday at 3 p.m. ET and includes more than 60 hours of exclusive live coverage featuring – for the first time ever on TSN – all morning, afternoon and evening draws as well as playoffs and final (see complete broadcast schedule below). In addition, encore presentations of all TSN SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS coverage will air on TSN2 on a three-hour delay.

All weekday morning draws are also available live at TSN.ca. All of TSN’s television coverage will also be available on-demand at TSN.ca following the conclusion of each live broadcast.

Defending champion Jennifer Jones returns to represent Team Canada as she and her team will be in tough against eleven other rinks including 2008 Canada Cup winner Stephanie Lawton’s Team Saskatchewan, Alberta’s Cheryl Bernard and Quebec’s Marie-France LaRouche.

TSN’s acclaimed curling broadcast team is on-site with Vic Rauter calling the action alongside analyst and Olympic gold medallist Linda Moore and analyst and former Brier champion Ray Turnbull. Also joining TSN’s broadcast team is three-time Tournament of Hearts winner, Cathy Gauthier, who will provide rinkside updates throughout the tournament. Two-time World and Brier champion and 2006 Olympic gold medallist Russ Howard will serve as analyst for the morning draws alongside SPORTSCENTRE’s Bryan Mudryk who will make his debut in the broadcast booth handling the play-by-play duties.

TSN’s exclusive multi-year broadcast deal with the Canadian Curling Association also features every draw – including playoffs and finals – from the 2009 TIM HORTONS BRIER (March 7-15). TSN will also have coverage of playoff draws from the 2009 CANADA CUP OF CURLING, and the 2009 WORLD WOMEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP. In addition, TSN will broadcast all of Team Canada’s draws throughout the 2009 FORD WORLD MEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP along with full playoff coverage. TSN’s long-standing partnership with the Canadian Curling Association dates back to the network’s inception in 1984.

CFL Stuff / Moreno Traded

I spoke with the Riders Wednesday night and they have had NO discussions with the B.C. Lions about acquiring offensive lineman Kelly Bates in a trade, despite published reports to the contrary. Nor do they anticipate initiating talks about landing the Humboldt, SK product.

To me, that's unfortunate because I have a lot of time for Kelly Bates as a person and as a football player but obviously Saskatchewan is comfortable with its personnel on the offensive line. I have heard Kelly might be interested in finishing his career in green and white somewhere down the line, but that's merely speculation.

Also, there is "zero truth" to the rumour that the Riders have an interest in Winnipeg LB Zeke Moreno. That's the word I got from the team Wednesday night. In fact:

TORONTO -- The Toronto Argonauts have acquired Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Zeke Moreno, a division all-star in 2007 and 2008, who was the CFL's leading tackler in each of the last two seasons, sources told Sportsnet Wednesday evening.

The Argonauts traded four-year veteran Riall Johnson, a non-import defensive lineman, to the Blue Bombers in exchange for Moreno. Toronto also receives a conditional draft pick, believed to be for 2009, in the deal.

Moreno, 30, was terrific as a CFL rookie with Hamilton in 2007. The USC product had 114 defensive tackles (a team record) and started each of the team's 18 games. He was the Tiger-Cats' nominee for top overall and defensive player that season. Traded to Winnipeg in September of last year, Moreno added three sacks to his 97 tackles.

The Argonauts are in need of a presence at linebacker with the expected retirement of Mike O'Shea and release of Michael Fletcher. Canadian Aaron Wagner was traded to Saskatchewan earlier this week.
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And just a note regarding the retirement of Milt Stegall....

I'll be sad to see "The Turtle Man" go. How did he get that nickname anyways? I know his behaviour at times has been outlandish (and limited stricty to his boastful comments in the media). He's been the consummate pro on and off the field.

Newspaper accounts of his career today are calling him the greatest CFL receiver ever. Do you go along with this? I'm not sure I do, but his quotes are Hall of Fame material. I especially loved the one about how it's a shame he has to wear a mask to cover his beautiful face!

In speaking with former Bomber GM Brendan Taman, he confirmed Milt's bravado was all an act designed to get people talking. I can identify with that! And he always had a comment about my flashy Colin O'Brian's suits whenever the Riders played his Bombers. He rarely approved of the shoes I picked to match the outfit.

Proof that life isn't fair: I have a Grey Cup ring and Milt Stegall doesn't. I feel like giving him mine because he deserves it infinitely more, but I'm sure he'd prefer one with a "W" on it rather than a " /=S=/".

So long 85. Thanks for the memories.
RP

Warriors White-Out

Warriors Announce WHITE-OUT NIGHT in Support of the Moose Jaw Multiplex

With the February 25th Multiplex vote fast approaching, 2,000 “Support Moose Jaw’s Multiplex Project” T-shirts will be distributed at the Warriors’ Sunday February 22nd game vs. the Regina Pats for WHITE-OUT NIGHT!!!

“The white out theme allows us to remind those supporting the project to make sure they get out and vote,” commented Warriors General Manager Chad Lang. “With only three days remaining until the very important February 25th vote, we feel this is a perfect opportunity to remind and encourage all our fans and supporters to help make a difference and vote "yes" for the multiplex.”

To purchase tickets to the February 22nd game vs. the Regina Pats, call the Warriors office at 694-5711 or purchase online at www.mjwarriors.ca.

CHL Top 10

CHL Mosaik MasterCard Top-10 Rankings – Week 22

1. Windsor Spitfires (50-6-0-1)
2. Calgary Hitmen (51-7-3-1)
3. Vancouver Giants (48-5-1-3)
4. Shawinigan Cataractes (45-11-2-0)
5. Drummondville Voltigeurs (46-9-0-3)
6. Saskatoon Blades (43-14-3-1)
7. Belleville Bulls (38-15-2-2)
8. Quebec Remparts (43-11-0-3)
9. Brampton Battalion (38-16-1-1)
10. Brandon Wheat Kings (40-16-3-1)

Lumsden An Eskimo / Pats Questions

EDMONTON - Jesse Lumsden is going home.

A CFL source requesting anonymity has told The Canadian Press that the speedy running back has agreed to terms with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Lumsden is an Edmonton native and his father, Neil, is a former Eskimos player.

Edmonton was one of four CFL clubs in the running for Lumsden's services: Toronto, Winnipeg and Hamilton were also interested in the former Hec Crighton Trophy winner.

Lumsden rushed for 584 yards with five touchdowns last season with the Tiger-Cats after running for 743 yards and three touchdowns in 2007.

The six-foot-two, 226-pound Lumsden, who grew up in Burlington, Ont., battled shoulder problems over the last two seasons.
(The Canadian Press, photo courtesy jesselumsden.ca)
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Pats forward Mitch Czibere charms Willy Cole's grandkids Cole and Ella at the Brandt Centre recently. My boss can't stop raving about what a great job Zipper did with the little ones.
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I'm quite tired of fielding the question "what's wrong with the Pats?", particularly since I don't know the answer. The club hopes to end a seven game losing streak Friday night when they host the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Brandt Centre. Right now they stand four points out of a playoff spot with 12 games to go and people are getting antsy. So I posed the questions to Pats GM Brent Parker:

RP: Some critics say it appears the Pats players don't care some - or most - nights. Would you agree?

BP: I don't think that's an accurate statement at all. I think the kids care. Right now, they're frustrated. They're fragile. There's no question that they're feeling the weight and the pressure on them and we do forget that they are young men. They're not that old, worldly or wise. Part of that is our responsibility, the coaching staff and management, to take some of the brunt of that but on the other side of the coin, they need to be accountable too.

When you dig yourself into this big of a hole, you don't just jump out all at once. Sometimes you have to crawl out and that's really what we need. Hopefully we can take some small steps and get out of it and do some good things.

RP: How do you see things shaking out over the next dozen games or so? Or is that impossible to predict?

BP: Right now it really is almost impossible. It's been a frustrating stretch. You've been around it, you've seen it. It's weighing on everybody. We need to find a way to make something good happen, and build on that. We really believe that we have good players here, good people, and they all care. If you see the faces of players leaving the dressing room after these games, you'd see it's not a case of not caring. Right now they are in a major, major league funk and they're all looking for answers right now.

RP: You were 19-10 in mid-November. What changed?

BP: There was a stretch where we lost some guys, who were away at world juniors and international tournaments. You lose some confidence there. We need to get back to imposing things physically and imposing our will on teams. I think we've back off on that for whatever reason. I think it happens probably when you get tentative and take penalties. You tend to back off. We're going back to the lines to when we were playing our best hockey and we'll see where it goes. I think a number of things set the ball rolling and once it snowballs, it's tough to get it going back the other way.
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This Week in Cougar Athletics

Women’s Basketball (CIS Ranking: No. 3) - After enjoying a bye through the first round of the playoffs, the Cougars will host the Winnipeg Wesmen in the Great Plains Division final this weekend at the CKHS. The two teams met four times during the conference schedule, with the Cougars winning three times. The first two games will be played on Thursday and Friday at the CKHS with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. on both nights. If a Game 3 is needed, it’ll be played on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Live statistics and live audio will be available for all three games at www.reginacougars.com.

Men’s Hockey - Dustin Bru broke out offensively over the weekend, helping the Cougars to a two-game sweep over UBC which clinched a playoff berth for the U of R. Bru scored two goals during both wins, including the game-winner in overtime on Saturday, and was recognized as the Canada West Player of the Week. The Cougars will travel to either Lethbridge or Manitoba for the first round of the playoffs, and can secure fifth place in the conference by recording at least one point this weekend in a home-and-home series against Saskatchewan. The Cougars and the Huskies will play on Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Sherwood Ice Sports Centre and on Saturday night in Saskatoon.

Men’s Basketball - The Cougars advanced to the Great Plains Division final after defeating the Winnipeg Wesmen two games to one in a best-of-three division semifinal over the weekend at the CKHS. The Cougars won 97-81 on Thursday, lost 93-76 on Friday, then clinched the series with an 85-74 win on Saturday. Kris Heshka averaged 23 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during the series and registered double-doubles on both Friday and Saturday. The Cougars and the Brandon Bobcats will square off this weekend for the right to advance to the Canada West Final Four. The series will go on Friday, Saturday, and (if necessary) Sunday in Brandon.

Men’s and Women’s Swimming - Linda Duarte and Andrew Malawski will represent the U of R at the CIS Swimming Championships, which will be held at the Thunderbird Aquatic Centre in Vancouver from Thursday to Saturday. Malawski, a sprint specialist, hit the CIS standard in the 50-metre freestyle, the 50-metre breaststroke, and the 50-metre butterfly at the Canada West meet in late January. Duarte, who specializes in the butterfly, hit the national standard in both the 100-metre and 200-metre butterfly this year.

Men’s Wrestling - Connor Malloy was the top finisher for the Cougars as the U of R placed third out of five teams at the 2009 Canada West Wrestling Championships in Edmonton. Malloy was a perfect 4-0 at 72 kilograms and was named the Canada West Male Rookie of the Year following the meet. Gilbert Musonza (54 kg), Chad Bates (61 kg), and Kyle Bershatsky (65 kg) all won silvers for the Cougars, while Steven Schneider (57 kg) and Jarret Coels (76 kg) took bronze. All six medalists will compete in the CIS Championships, scheduled for Feb. 26 through 28 in Calgary.

Women’s Wrestling - Hajar Ashtiani highlighted the weekend for the University of Regina’s women’s wrestling team, which placed fourth at the conference meet in Edmonton. Ashtiani won all three of her matches at 48 kilograms and was named the Canada West Female Wrestler of the Year. Jade Parsons (51 kg) won silver for the Cougars, while Jasmine Slinn (55 kg) and Inga Van Vliet (67 kg) both won bronze. All four of the U of R’s medalists will move on to the CIS Championships in Calgary, which are scheduled for Feb. 26 through 28.

Women’s Volleyball - The Cougars were eliminated by No. 3-ranked Calgary in the Canada West quarterfinals over the weekend, as the Dinos took 3-1 wins on both Friday and Saturday to clinch the best-of-three series. The two matches marked the final action in U of R uniforms for fifth-year players Kelly Cowan and Tammy Jule, who both had stellar careers for the Cougars. Cowan holds the school’s single-season and career digs records, while Jule is the U of R’s single-season and career leader in kills.

Women’s Hockey - The Cougars (7-16-1) missed out on the final Canada West playoff spot by just two points after losing twice to the Alberta Pandas over the weekend. The U of R entered the final weekend of the Canada West schedule in fourth place, but dropped to fifth after the UBC Thunderbirds defeated Lethbridge on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars, who have 10 players in their first season of CIS eligibility, will lose just three fifth-year players - Brooke Einarson, Nicole Gooding, and Kara McGeough.

Bustin' Loose

At the request of friends and family, here are some pics from our recent Mexican excursion:

Dancin' in the streets of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.. You'll meet our friends over the next few minutes........ As you can see, I was ready for a break..

At Barry Thomson's Azul Sensatori. From left, Diane Thomson, B.T., P.A.'s Ron Kondra, and Tater. I'm on the camera..

The view from the balcony of our hotel room...

Hard to believe these guys could play in full outfits, covered in blankets, in 30 + degree temperatures..


Our friends, Molson Mike Tate and his gal Teresa...

One wild sonofagun, golf pro Ryan Danburg.....

Lo and behold, we ran into some Rider fans from P.A. on 5th Avenue in Playa. They were kind enough to pose for a picture...........

And then I just HAD to join them for a pic!

Showing my Rider Pride on the beach looking over the Caribbean Sea...

The sensational Azul Sensatori just outside Cancun. For bookings, get ahold of me and I'll put you onto the right people! It's sensational.

Everyday the maid twisted towels into the shape of an animal. On this day it was an elephant, and Cindy posed for a picture with it..

One of the greatest stories of the week! The Saturday ride on the Catamaran. If you see me sometime, ask me about it. It was pure craziness..

Our women......

Tater -- always with a smile and a cerveza!

Looking over my toes from our spot on the beach..

One of the many all-inclusive bars on the resort. It's like feeding time for the pigs at the trough..

Cindy and me at the entrance of the Grand Serenis..

A view from the taco bar ... I needed the shade. Badly.

Where we ate our meals.... Hmmmmm, buffet.

Mexico's version of Casino Regina's Show Lounge. Entertainment every night..



This was the legendary "Fire Show" on the beach at The Blue Parrott night club..

I've been around some. This is in the top three clubs I've ever been in. Maybe the best. Looks like Danburg's in some trouble in the bottom of the shot..

That's all folks! So glad to be home. Well, I am anyways..