VANCOUVER -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders are bringing home a four game losing streak after a 23-17 upset loss to the B.C. Lions on a Hallowe'en Sunday afternoon at Empire Field. The Riders turned the ball over five times to B.C's one, as the Lions remained alive in the playoff hunt heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
The Riders led 3-0 after the first quarter but trailed 13-3 at halftime and 13-10 going to the fourth quarter. The Riders led in these statistical categories; first downs, rushing yards, passing yards, net offense and time of possession but didn't win where it mattered most. Quarterback Darian Durant threw three interceptions and fumbled once, while throwing for 332 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Cary Koch and Chris Getzlaf. Wes Cates had 52 yards rushing for the Riders and in the process went over 1000 yards on the season.
“We had a lot of players who played their fannies off and I’m really proud of a lot of them," said Rider coach Ken Miller on CKRM after the game. "I’m proud of our defense. I don’t know how many rushing yards they had but people would think they would have had more. We just didn’t take care of the ball on offense. It’s hard to muster enough in other areas when you give the ball away. And to give up another punt return touchdown really makes me beside myself.”
Miller's referring to Yonus Davis' second quarter 88-yard punt return touchdown which gave the Lions a lead they would not relinquish.
The Riders fall to 9-8 and host Edmonton Saturday night in the final game of the regular season. The Lions improve to 7-10 and are tied with the Eskimos for the final playoff spot. The Lions visit Hamilton next week and an Edmonton win at Regina will knock B.C. out of the playoffs.
Have at 'er in the comments section....
RP
Sunday, October 31, 2010
LIONS 23 RIDERS 17
PFC: HILLTOPS 32 THUNDER 24
In a back-and-forth game, the Hilltops prevailed 32-24 and captured their 13th Prairie Football Conference championship.
The Hilltops will host the defending Canadian Bowl champions Vancouver Island Raiders on Saturday November 13th in the 2010 edition of the national final. The Raiders downed the OFC champions Hamilton Hurricanes 38-13 in the Intergold Cup Game on Saturday.
The PFC's two best passers, Reid Quest and Chase Bradshaw duelled all day long as Quest completed 17 of 33 for 259 yards with 2 TD's and 3 INTS, while Bradshaw was 12 of 19 for 266 yards with 2 TD's.
(With files from PFC media coordinator Tom Hallick)
SUNDAY SPORTS
Levko Koper scored two goals and added four assists as his Spokane Chiefs routed the Regina Pats 11-1 in the Brandt Centre Saturday night. The Chiefs scored two, five and four goals by period as they denied the Queen City Kids a fourth straight victory. The lone Pats goal came off the stick of Dyson Stevenson, his first in the WHL. The Chiefs outshot the Pats 44-21 while going 2/4 on the powerplay. Regina was 0/5 on the man advantage. Regina's goaltending duties were split by Damien Ketlo and Dawson Guhle as the club dropped to 5-8-2.---
Alex Ovechkin scored power-play goals 12 seconds apart in the second period to give Washington a 3-2 lead, and the Capitals scored four more goals before the period was over, in a 7-2 blowout of Calgary. Montreal had a four-game winning streak come to an end, as Tomas Vokoun made 40 saves in Florida's 3-1 win over the Canadiens.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs were unable to score for the second game in a row, as Henrik Lundqvist made 36 saves in the New York Rangers' 2-0 victory. Boston, meanwhile, recorded its second shutout in a row, with Tim Thomas again sealing the door shut, in the Bruins 4-0 win at Ottawa.
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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers set a dubious CFL record, by losing by four points or less for the eighth time this season. Daniel Porter ran two plays in overtime, the second an 11-yard touchdown run to give the Edmonton Eskimos a 16-13 victory over the Bombers. Edmonton can wrap up a playoff spot today if Saskatchewan beats the B-C Lions. It's a 3:00 kickoff Saskatchewan time on 620 CKRM and TSN.
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The PFC championship game goes today at 1:00 in Saskatoon. The 6-2 Regina Thunder make their first-ever appearance in the league title game against the 7-1 Saskatoon Hilltops. You can listen to the game at http://www.magic983.fm/.
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The Texas Rangers beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2, and now trail the National League champions two-games-to-one in the World Series. Rookie Mitch Moreland hit a three-run homer, and Josh Hamilton added a solo shot for the Rangers, who host Game Four on Sunday night.
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San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy says he decided to leave Jose Guillen off the post-season roster before learning of the outfielder's alleged link to a federal investigation into shipments of performance-enhancing drugs. Bochy reiterated that Guillen was not put on the roster because of his troublesome neck.
(With files from C-P)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
ESKIMOS 16 BOMBERS 13 OT
RIDERS AT LIONS SUNDAY
The BC Lions (6-10) battle the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-7) in a huge West Division showdown at Empire Field on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm Vancouver time (gates open at 12:00 pm) presented by Terasen Gas.In the spirit of Halloween, use your game ticket to purchase two-for-one admission to Fright Nights at Playland on game day!
“Make no mistake, this is our home playoff game for the 2010 season,” said GM and head coach Wally Buono. “We need a victory on Sunday if we want to have an opportunity to participate in the post season. It’s quite simply the biggest game of the season for us.”
The Leos come off a thrilling 36-31 road win over the division-leading Calgary Stampeders last weekend and need a victory against the second-place ‘Riders to remain in contention for a playoff berth in the West Division. Five of the CFL’s six post-season spots have been sewn up with just the Lions and Edmonton Eskimos battling for the remaining position.
The Roughriders enter Sunday’s tilt having dropped three-straight including a 39-24 affair to the Edmonton Eskimos last Saturday which allowed the Esks to hold on to third place for at least another week. Despite the recent string of losses, the Green and White will host the West Division Semi-Final on November 14th.
Sunday’s match-up is the second meeting of the clubs at Empire Field after playing to a sold-out stadium on July 10th.
“It’s always special to play host to the Roughriders and Sunday’s game is going to be another historic game in this rivalry,” said Lions president and CEO Dennis Skulsky. “We started the season with a sellout versus Saskatchewan and our fans were incredible in that game making lots of noise and wearing orange. Now we’re calling on them again to help us take a major step forward in pursuit of a playoff spot.”
Should the Leos advance to the post season and face the Riders in three weeks time it would mark the fifth playoff meeting between the two clubs this decade. In four previous matches (2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008) the Leos hold a 3-1 edge in wins.
“Our season is on the line and support from our fans could not be more critical than right now,” added Skulsky. “I encourage everyone to wear orange and cheer louder than ever at Empire Field on Sunday for our final home game of the 2010 season.”
Beginning at 12:00 pm, stop by the BC Lions Street Party presented by Nissan and 99.3 The Fox to catch live music from Fox Vancouver Seeds 2010 winners STARS OF BOULEVARD and have an opportunity to meet The Fox Street Team, the Felions Dance Team and Leo the Lion. While you're there, take in fun family activities such as face painting, inflatable games and poster making!
(Courtesy bclions.com)
GAME NITE: SPOKANE
Spokane Chiefs (5-7-0-0) @ Regina Pats (5-7-1-1)Tonight 7:00pm Brandt Centre
6:35 Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show 620 CKRM
No Television Broadcast
The Lowdown
This is the first time since March 2009 since the Spokane Chiefs paid a visit to Regina. The Pats were able to defeat a great team led by Drayson Bowman and goaltender Dustin Tokarski 2-0. Linden Rowat stopped 30 shots for the shutout while Jordan Eberle and Garrett Mitchell scored for the Pats. Tonight is also “Breast Cancer Awareness Night”. The Pats will be wearing special pink jersey’s that will be auctioned off during the game and then given to the auction winners on ice after the game. All of the proceed from the jersey auction and the sales of the special edition pink Pats scarves ($15 at The Neutral Zone) goes to cancer research and stays in Saskatchewan.
In the Spokes:
Spokane is in the middle of their 6 game trip through the Eastern Division. They gave up a late third period goal last night in Moose Jaw and end up losing 3-2. This is their 3rd game in 4 nights which began Wednesday night in Spokane. Like the Pats, they are 2 games below .500 and are in a tough US Division that has the two top teams in the WHL in Portland and Tri-City.
Who’s who:
SPOKANE
C- Tyler Johnson – Played for the U.S. Junior team that won gold at the World Jr.’s in Saskatoon last January. Is the Chiefs top returning scorer from the 09-10 season.
D - Jared Cowan – A 1st round pick of the Ottawa Senators played defence for Canada at the 2010 World Jr.’s in Saskatoon losing to the U.S. Is a top candidate to lead Canada this year.
G - James Reid – 20 year old goaltender in his 3rd season with the Chiefs. Shut out the Pats in a 4-0 win last November in Sopkane
REGINA
LW - Jordan Weal – His 22 points has him in the WHL’s top 10 scorers. Has points in 10 of his last 11 games and is currently on a 6 game assist streak.
D - Mark Schneider – Acquired from Brandon in mid-October and has 2 goals with the Pats including the game winner last Friday against Swift Current.
G - Damien Ketlo – Has started the Pats last 4 games going 3-0-0-1 with a save percentage of .925.
Subway Super Series:
A pair of Pat players was named to play for team WHL on November 17th in Kamloops against a Russian National Team. Carter Ashton will make his second appearance in the series he played as a member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes last season, while Jordan Weal is playing in his first game.
A solid week:
Last week started with a tough 3-2 shootout loss last Wednesday to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, but with a pair of wins this past weekend over the Swift Current Broncos, the Pats took 5 out of a possible 6 points.
“Special”ty teams:
After a slow start to the season, the Pats specialty teams may be finding their stride. The power play has hit the back of the net in 5 straight games scoring 10 times. With their efforts, they have climbed to 12th in the WHL with the man advantage. The penalty killers have stopped 15 of their opponent’s last 16 power plays and are now 17th in the WHL.
Shoot to win:
The Pats have outshot their opponents just three times this season, and in all three occasions, the blue and white have picked up wins. In their last two games though, the Pats have been out shot and have won back to back games.
(Courtesy Dan Plaster)
HUSKIES 52 RAMS 29
The No. 3 ranked Huskies solidified the top spot with a 52-29 victory over provincial foe the University of Regina Rams Friday night in Saskatoon's Griffiths Stadium in PotashCorp Park. It also marks the fifth time in eight years the Huskies have been on top of the standings.
Saskatchewan finishes the season with a 6-2 record and will now face the fourth-place University of Alberta Golden Bears Saturday, November 6 in a Canada West Semifinal game. Regina, who drops to 5-3 with the loss, will face the University of Calgary Dinos in the other conference semifinal in Calgary.
Saskatchewan was able to hold the conference leading-rusher Adrian Charles to just 37 yards, so Mueller was forced to use his arm completing 29-of-44 passes for 437 yards.
(Info courtesy Huskie Athletics)
FRIDAY CFL RESULTS
Calgary had a 34-10 lead at the intermission thanks to two late second-quarter touchdown passes by Henry Burris, in a 55-24 blowout of Hamilton. Burris passed for three touchdowns, all of them to Romby Bryant.
Friday, October 29, 2010
CKRM'S WEEK 18 2010 CFL PICKS
FRI: MTL @ TOR, HAM @ CGY
SAT: WPG @ EDM
SUN: SK @ BC
ANNOUNCER/RECORD/PICKS
REMPLE (40-24): MTL - HAM - EDM - BC
LYNCH (40-24): TOR - CGY - EDM - SK
CURRIE (40-24): MTL - CGY - EDM - BC
CARTERI (40-24): MTL - CGY - EDM - SK
BLAIR (36-28): MTL - HAM - EDM - SK
PEDERSEN (35-29): TOR - HAM - EDM - SK
**WINNER GETS A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE PRESS BOX SPORTS BAR**
RIDER PRIDE AT THE WORLD SERIES
From the Twitter account of Sportsnet's Arash Madani:"Come to the World Series & what do you find? Of course... They're everywhere, these melonheads!"
Pictured is Travis Uteck (Mccord, SK) , Curtis Herron (Saltcoats, SK), and Connor Jauck (Strasbourg, SK).
Photo submitted by Avery Allen..
FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS
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There's Reba McEntire belting out her hits last night at the Brandt Centre. It was a great show but alas, she never sang my favourite song of hers "One Promise Too Late". Oh well, she can't sing 'em all.
Sometimes I think people need to get out of Regina and see how things are done in other places. Folks in the front few rows were told to sit down by security if they tried to get up and dance, and a couple tried to two-step down the the aisle but were scolded and herded back to their seats. IT'S A CONCERT!! This same security lets the masses run hog wild at shows like Motley Crue. They must have a different mandate for country shows.**UPDATE** I got a call from a "person in the know" this morning who said REBA's security people requested that no one be allowed to stand for the concert. Interesting! And I appreciate the call. We don't need people getting edgy! The yellow jackets were just doing what they were told.
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RANDOMS:
- We've got a Hallowe'en party to go to tonight and we're to dress up as a famous couple. I've got a Brian Mulroney mask I bought at Bi-Rite in 1988 and I've worn it every Hallowe'en since. I still wear it this time year, but now I call it a Ben Mulroney mask.
- Kids wearing a Disney costume to tonight's Prince George-Seattle WHL game at the ShoWare Centre in Kent, Washington get in free. What a great promotion!
- The Pats carry a three-game win streak into tomorrow's home date against the Spokane Chiefs. It's Breast Cancer Awareness Night in the Brandt Centre and the Pats will be wearing pink and blue jerseys. They'll be auctioned off at game's end with the proceeds going to research to fight the disease.
- A home playoff game is on the line as the U of Regina Rams visit the U of Saskatchewan Huskies tonight in Canada West football action. Rams RB Adrian Charles needs 19 yards to surpass Neal Hughes as the Rams' single-season rushing leader. 620 CKRM has the call tonight with Michael Ball.
- The Regina Thunder make their first-ever appearance in the PFC title game this Sunday when they take on the Saskatoon Hilltops at Gordie Howe Bowl at 1 pm. The Thunder were 6-2 this year while the Toppers were 7-1. You can listen to the game online at http://www.magic983.fm/.
- What's up with the Riders? Well tt appears SB Weston Dressler will dress for Sunday's game in B.C. (he missed last week's game) and K Warren Kean may make his Roughrider debut. DE Brent Hawkins is still iffy with a shoulder injury.
- We asked Rider secondary coach Nelson Martin on CKRM's Coaches Show why the team has lacked intensity in recent games. His answer was: "I don't know and if I knew how to get it, I'd be more than the DB coach. That's why Coach Miller put the pads back on the boys this week. It's so that if you're hitting each other all week, it'll spill over into the games. Intensity is like momentum; it swings."
- Rider Hall of Famer Dale West was on Access 7's In The Huddle this week talking about the current state of the team but also the 1966 Grey Cup. The Saskatoon product said one thing he learned that year was that the Grey Cup holds four bottles of champagne.
- Dale West also said the website riderfans.com is "poisonous".
- Watching the World Series this week, I noticed that I don't even think of the word "switch-hitter" as a baseball term anymore.
- It's fascinating that the Rangers' Bengie Molina gets a World Series ring no matter who wins between the Rangers and Giants, because he split the season between the two teams.
- Watch out for the Westjet scam! And NO, it's not being operated by WESTJET. But I got a call which directed me to Mexico and they asked for my credit card number. Just hang up on them if it happens to you.
- Sports fans are very lucky in Regina. They've got four hours of sports talk per day with CKRM's Sports Cage and CJME's Sports Night, plus play-by-play of virtually every team. The more sports talk that's on the air in this town, the better. That's what I say.
- No, I'm not afraid to mention Sports Night on my blog. Drew Remenda's a class guy who went out of his way to come over and say hi last Saturday at Edmonton's Rexall Place while his co-host Jamie Nye has become a great friend. I don't care for the "FIRST and BEST" sports talkshow splitters, but I guarantee those two guys are not behind them.
- This is the most non-eventful NBA regular season EVER. Let's just fast forward to The Finals with the Heat and the Lakers and see who wins. Everything that happens between now and then is just in the way.
- TSN's Jay Onrait thinks co-worker Dave Randorff should have his own game show. I agree.
- I love the new slogan for Subway - Where Winners Eat. Their marketing company's doing a good job.
- So the new Double Down is the best-selling menu item at KFC ever. I'll have to take their word for it. It seems like a heart attack in a wax wrapper to me.
- Sometimes I wonder if my child is actually mine. We got stuck in a snowbank on Wednesday and she was crying that she might not get to school that day. WHAT? When that happened to me as a kid, I started making a million plans for a day out of school. If she didn't look just like me, I'd really wonder who her father is.
- SEPERATED AT BIRTH
Howard Walowitz of the Big Bang Theory and Global TV Regina's Tom Vernon. Granted, that's a dated photo of Tom but you get the point. Thanks to Tom for coming on the Sports Cage yesterday to discuss his HGH story!
Today's Press Box Sports Bar Friday lunch buffet courtesy chef Sid (pictured):"Hey ya'll ... On this week's buffet: roast beef, pizzas, mac & cheese wedges (really good), chicken stirfry, rice, mashed potatoes, caesar salad and dessert."
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TALK TO YOU AT 4:OO IN THE CAGE! IT'S FOUR SEASONS FOOTBALL FRIDAY WITH SCOTT SCHULTZ FOR TWO FULL HOURS. HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!
RP
Thursday, October 28, 2010
THURSDAY'S SPORTS CAGE ARCHIVES
There was loads and loads of football and Rider talk in the Cage on Thursday. Carm Carteri joined us for a Rider practice report and the Leader Post's Rob Vanstone discussed his controversial column in Thursday's newspaper regarding Rider defensive coordinator Gary Etcheverry. Also in hour one Regina Thunder/Saskatchewan Roughrider lineman Dan Clark joined me to discuss Sunday's PFC title game in Saskatoon as the Thunder take on the Hilltops at 1:00pm. Always-popular caller "A.J." (the retired soldier from Boot Hill, SK) called in to discuss Eddie Johnson as well. In hour two we heard Coach Miller's post-practice comments as well as those of Etcheverry. The Silver Fox Kelly Remple stopped by as well as Tom Vernon of Global TV who discussed his three-part series on human growth hormones (HGH).HOUR ONE:
http://www.mediafire.com/?cvz3zxyyviervlb
HOUR TWO:
http://www.mediafire.com/?5dllnk4lrccgnfc
ETCHEVERRY EXPLAINS DEFENSE....
.... to CTV's Lee Jones (blue hood). Lee asked the Riders' defensive coordinator where the team's defense is playing on a scale of 1-10 right now:
ETCHEVERRY: "In this game, 1-10, well, we're in the top 10. That's one of the things I love to hear in this league, like if a team has 4 wins they'll say 'they're the best 4 win team in the league'. Well in many cases there's no other 4 win teams. I understand this; if it's a two-horse race you can either say one finished first and one finished second, you can say one finished first and the other last, or one finished next-to-last. It's all perspective.
"Where are we? I don't know. The #1 thing we try to do is not have the other team score touchdowns. The last game for example Edmonton scored two in the first half and one in the second. I don't know how many games we've had this year but I bet you there are fewer than three games where they've scored more than three touchdowns against us. In this game, with the rules as they are with the advantage to the offense at virtually every turn, to have consistently have three or fewer touchdowns against you is pretty damn good.
"Obviously I understand two's better than three, one's better than two but yards don't win football games. Touchdowns do. Can we improve? You're damn right we can. We need to and there are certain areas we need to get better at. We need to get better and more consistent and run defense and that's something we continue to look at it. This team (B.C.) will pose some challenges in that regard."
RIDERS SIGN TWO
Shepard (6'2 – 223 lbs) spent a portion of the 2010 season with the Green Bay Packers after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent. The 23-year-old was a four-year starter at South Dakota where he finished his career as the most decorated passer in Coyotes history with school records in passing yards (8,936), passing touchdowns (77) and total offense (11,133). His 36 rushing touchdowns ranks second in school history.
Kashindi (5'10 – 176 lbs) was most recently released from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after signing with the team as a free agent earlier this year. Despite being highly ranked heading into the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft, the Sherbrooke product went undrafted due to an achilles injury sustained while training in the off-season. In his senior season at Sherbrooke, he tallied 19 defensive tackles and was an East-West Bowl selection.
PFC CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
(Gordie Howe Bowl in Saskatoon hosts Sunday's PFC title game)2010 PFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW- By Tom Hallick, PFC Media Coordinator
REGINA THUNDER AT SASKATOON HILLTOPS 1PM KICKOFF SUNDAY
ONLINE BROADCAST: http://www.magic983.fm/ 12:30 LOCAL
It will be an all-Saskatchewan final on Sunday afternoon as the Regina Thunder lock horns with the Saskatoon Hilltops in the 34th PFC Championship Game at Gordie Howe Bowl. The winner hosts the Canadian Bowl on Saturday November 13th.
An awful lot has been made and rightfully so about the field conditions in the 2009 PFC title game, and the snow that fell this week may not help matters in that department. Nevertheless, the entire Hilltops organization will be casting their eyes to the skies with the hopes that no further precipitation falls on Sunday.
Let’s have a look at the teams.
REGINA THUNDER:
Regular Season Record: 6-2, 2nd 342 PF, 169 PA
How They Got Here: Defeated the Calgary Colts 17-6 in the semi-finals last Sunday.
Who to Keep an Eye on:
QB Reid Quest:
The PFC’s leading passer retained his title in 2010 with 2194 yards and 25 touchdowns and had a passer rating of 117.2 and has the best receiving tandem in the conference in Kolten Solomon and Jay Smith who combined for 85 catches, 1477 yards and 15 touchdowns at his disposal.
RB Mark Coons:
The veteran back used a 278-yard performance in the final regular season game at Winnipeg to vault past Rifle tailback Kienan LaFrance and claim the rushing title with 1153 yards. Last week in the semi-final, a stellar Calgary defensive effort held him to 76.
DB Mark Ingram:
Ingram intercepted 4 passes on the season, tying fellow DB Cody Johnstone for the team lead. Ingram took one wayward pass in for a major score. Ingram ended up 8th in the defensive point standings with 90.
The Wildcard:
As good a receiver as Kolten Solomon is, he just maybe as big of a threat on kick returns as he took 2 kickoffs for touchdowns in 2010, one of those was a season-high 111-yard return.
The Skinny:
The Thunder has assembled an outstanding cast of players over the last 4 years. If Quest and company can come up with a huge afternoon, then all the work put in over that time frame will pay off handsomely.
SASKATOON HILLTOPS
Regular Season Record: 7-1 1st, 316 PF, 123 PA,
How They Got Here: Defeated Winnipeg Rifles 59-25 in the semi-finals last Sunday.
Who to Keep an Eye On:
QB Chase Bradshaw:
Bradshaw was the runner up to Quest in passing yards with 1591, touchdowns with 14 and quarterback rating (104.9) in the conference and has an impressive set of receiving targets in his own right with Ian Miller & Kit Hillis. The pair in their own right, combined for 58 grabs, 974 yards
RB/KR Brendon Gryba:
Gryba has emerged as a dual threat as a kick-returner as evidenced by his record-tying 100-yard kickoff return against Winnipeg and also as a tailback as he’s stepped in for injured tailback Regan Schuler who as of this writing is questionable for Sunday’s final and ran for 148 yards & 3 touchdowns last week.
S Graig Newman:
The 5th-year safety turned in a phenomenal effort in the semi-final win, picking up 6 tackles, 3 assists, 2 pass knockdowns, a fumble recovery, a 12-yard interception return AND 2 special teams assists for 27 defensive points. The 27-point afternoon was the 3rd-best single playoff performance in conference history.
The Wildcard:
The Hilltops and Thunder have clashed 3 times previously in the playoffs, with the Toppers taking all 3 semi-finals; 22-17 in 2002, 37-28 in 2007 and 30-24 in 2009.
The Skinny:
The Hilltops defense forced 8 Winnipeg turnovers in last week’s semi-final win, but gave up 501 yards of net offense. If Newman, Corbin Eskelson, Mike Prebble & company can force Regina’s offense to cough up the ball a few times as well as cut down on the amount of real estate conceded, then the Hilltops will regain the conference crown.
THIS WEEK IN COUGAR ATHLETICS
Home EventsWomen’s Basketball – vs. Brandon, Friday (6:15 p.m.) at CKHS
Men’s Hockey – vs. UBC, Friday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-Operators Centre
Men’s Basketball – vs. Brandon, Friday (8:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Women’s Basketball – vs. Brandon, Saturday (6:15 p.m.) at CKHS
Men’s Hockey – vs. UBC, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at The Co-Operators Centre
Men’s Basketball – vs. Brandon, Saturday (8:00 p.m.) at CKHS
Women’s Basketball – After going 6-1 against CIS competition in non-conference play, the Cougars open up their Canada West schedule this weekend at home against Brandon. The Bobcats enter the series with an 0-2 record after being swept at home by Thompson Rivers last weekend. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.
Men’s Basketball – The Cougars finished off their non-conference schedule with losses to Montana State-Northern, Great Falls, and Dickinson State during a three-day, three-game road trip last weekend. They kick off the conference season at home on Friday and Saturday against the Brandon Bobcats (2-0), who scored two home victories over Thompson Rivers last weekend. Game time will be 8 p.m. on both nights at the CKHS.
Men’s Hockey – The Cougars (3-3-0) return to the ice this weekend for the first time since splitting a home-and-home with Saskatchewan on Oct. 15 and 16. They’ll host the UBC Thunderbirds, who come into the weekend with a 1-2-1 record. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday night at The Co-Operators Centre.
Men’s Wrestling – The Cougars had their first meet of the season last weekend as the team travelled to Calgary to compete in the Dino Open. Kirk Ackerman (61 kg), Cory Horsburgh (65 kg), and John Lendvoy (82 kg) each placed second in their weight classes to help the Cougars to a second-place finish in the varsity team standings. The men’s and women’s teams had dual meets scheduled against Lakehead this weekend, but those have been cancelled. The men’s team will be back on the mats on Nov. 11, when they have a dual meet scheduled against Jamestown College.
Women’s Wrestling – Jasmine Slinn (51 kg) and Lisa McKibben (67 kg) highlighted the U of R’s women’s wrestlers at the Dino Open, as both grapplers won silver medals for the Cougars. With the cancellation of the dual meets against Lakehead this weekend, the Cougars will return to action on Nov. 5 at the Clan International in Burnaby, B.C.
Rams Football (CIS Ranking: No. 6) – After trailing by 18 points at halftime last weekend against Calgary, the Rams mounted a valiant comeback effort but came up short, losing 35-27 to the Dinos to fall to 5-2 on the season. Mired in a three-way tie for first place in the conference, the Rams will finish off the Canada West schedule on Friday night against Saskatchewan (5-2). A win guarantees a home postseason game against either Saskatchewan or Alberta, while a loss to the Huskies would send the Rams on the road to Calgary for the Canada West semifinals.
Women’s Hockey (CIS Ranking: No. 9) – The Cougars (3-1-0) currently sit in fourth place in the Canada West standings with six points, but have two games in hand on the three teams tied for first place. Third-year forward Rianne Wight remains the nation’s leader with eight goals scored in just four games, and the Cougars travel to Vancouver this weekend for a pair of road games against UBC (2-2-0). Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT on both Friday and Saturday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Women’s Soccer – The Cougars (3-7-2) travelled to the West Coast last weekend and suffered 2-0 losses to both Victoria and Fraser Valley, which mathematically eliminated the team from postseason contention. The team closes out its 2010 season with a road matches at Manitoba (1-7-4) on Saturday and Sunday in Winnipeg.
Cross Country (Men’s CIS Ranking: No. 7) – The Cougars are entering the stretch run of the 2010 season, as they’ll travel to Calgary this Saturday to compete in the Stewart Cup. After Saturday, the team will have two weeks to prepare for their final meet of the season, the CIS Championships in Sherbrooke, Que.
Men’s Volleyball – The Cougars closed out their non-conference schedule on a winning note, defeating the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in five sets on Friday night and recording a straight-sets victory over Mount Royal on Saturday night. The team will have a week off before travelling to Manitoba to open up its Canada West schedule on Nov. 5 and 6.
Women’s Volleyball – The Cougars finished in fourth place at the West Coast Classic over the weekend, defeating UBC Okanagan in four sets on Saturday but losing to UBC and Trinity Western. Manitoba is the first test on the Canada West schedule, as the Cougars and the Bisons will meet in Winnipeg on Nov. 5 and Nov. 6.
GREY CUP ODDS
It's only about a month until the 2010 Grey Cup kicks off in Edmonton - who is favored to win?
The 2010 Grey Cup will be played on November 28th at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium and current betting odds favor a Montreal Alouettes vs Calgary Stampeders showdown.
There are definitely other realistic scenarios but at this point those are the two favorites with two weeks of action left in the CFL regular season.
The Edmonton Eskimos, the host team of the Grey Cup, are one team currently on the bubble just to make the playoffs. The overall standings put Edmonton as the 6th place team in the CFL but they are tied with BC in terms of points so there is all to play for in the hunt for the final spot.
Some good news for Eskimo fans is that Edmonton have the easier game this weekend as they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a game that will be played in Edmonton on October 30th. BC are a home team as well but they will be playing host to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and they are a more formidable foe than Winnipeg as the Skatch are currently considered 3rd favorites for the Cup, despite the 3 game losing streak.
Here are the odds for all the Grey Cup contenders:
• Montreal Alouettes +145 Stan James
•Calgary Stampeders +150. bet365
• Saskatchewan Roughriders +450 bet365
• Hamilton Tiger Cats +1200 bet365
• Edmonton Eskimos +1800 Stan James
• Toronto Argonauts +2500 bet365
• BC Lions +3300 bet365
While hosting the Bombers this weekend is good news for Edmonton fans there may be some bad news on the horizon. The Calgary Stampeders, the arch-rivals of the Eskimos, could be celebrating a Cup win in Edmonton this season as Calgary are the favorite to win the West Division.
However one team that could be under-rated to win the Cup is Hamilton as the Tiger Cats have the longest winning streak in the CFL right now at 3 games.
Getting hot at the right time is important in the Canadian Football League as it doesn't take many wins to get to the Grey Cup final.
They are more likely to upset the Alouettes in the East Division final than Calgary is to suffer a loss in the West Division final.
Our recommendation for value at this point is to take Hamilton at +1200, odds that promise to shorten in the next few weeks.
Register with bet365 to bet on the 2010 Grey Cup - take advantage of their deposit bonus offer to receive free bets that can be used on the championship game.
BOMBERS SIGN CHAMPION
Champion (6-2, 192, Louisiana Tech, DOB: June 29, 1984 in Birmingham, Alabama) spent 2008 and 2009 with the BC Lions where he went 12 of 34 for 92 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He was signed by the Calgary Stampeders during the offseason and played two preseason games where he threw for 94 yards while also rushing for a touchdown. Champion appeared in 31 games over five years at Louisiana Tech including the final 25 as the team's starting quarterback.
THE COACHES STRIKE BACK
http://communities.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/blogs/roughriders/default.aspx
DURANT WINS
Montreal, October 28, 2010 – Reebok Canada, official outfitter of the CFL, and the Canadian Football League announced today that Darian Durant from the Saskatchewan Roughriders has won the second leg of the Reebok-CFL Reediscover Competition. Durant, who was battling Jon Cornish from the Calgary Stampeders, benefited from the support of his fans to clinch the victory.During the second segment of this year’s competition, players were asked to share a special moment in their career that defined them as athletes. Cornish recounted the story of his first ever CFL touchdown, which happened against his hometown team, the BC Lions. As for Durant, he related to how he stepped up after having to split playing time with another quarterback in a game against Calgary in 2009. Though his coach’s decision “rubbed [him] the wrong way”, he says, the 65-yard game winning touchdown pass helped him get his confidence back.
So far, the competition, which started on July 1st to kick off regular season, has resulted in more than 45,000 Canadians rediscovering the 16 CFL players involved in the two-fold competition that will crown one ultimate winner in November 2010.
Starting October 28, the Grand Finale will host quite a showdown. Durant’s Reedefine video will be up against Cornish’s Reeinspire moment in a head-to-head that will crown the Reediscover champion.
To choose the ultimate winner, fans are invited on www.reebokfootball.ca to vote for the player that offers the best Reediscover story, and have a chance to win the Grand Prize of a trip for 2 to attend the 2010 Grey Cup game in Edmonton.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
WEDNESDAY'S SHOW
HOUR ONE: LATEST ON THE RIDERS, DURANT, COACH MILLER AND AL DUMBAhttp://www.mediafire.com/?oqv63i5qeiqvd96
HOUR TWO: RIDER COACHES SHOW WITH NELSON MARTIN
http://www.mediafire.com/?uodo7g3faotf3q0
**UPDATE** CANADA'S TEAM PRACTICES INDOORS
The Saskatchewan Roughriders practiced indoors at Evraz Place today, their first practice since Saturday's 39-24 loss at Edmonton. Here's the transcript of head coach Ken Miller's post-practice media scrum:
Q. How did your meetings with the team captains go?
MILLER: The agenda wasn't very long. The agenda was primarily about communication and letting them know that communication is not just one-way. It is both ways and if there's information that I should know or need to know, that they should come to me in order to communicate just like I communicate with them.
Q. It seemed like there was less tension at practice today. Were the meetings needed?
MILLER: I don't know if the meetings brought about the result because we had a fairly extensive meeting with the entire team yesterday morning and then we had another one today. Whatever the source of it was, the men worked hard and had good spirit and practiced well today. I decided a little bit of change would be good so we changed the order of practice and put the players in pads so that they could work on techniques and work faster without risk of injury.
Q. Was it more focused because you were indoors today?
MILLER: I'm sure that we were really well-focused today but don't get used to it because we'll probably be outside at the stadium tomorrow.
Q. Do you have a little more respect for the high school players who played in that weather last night?
MILLER: I have a lot of respect for people who put up with this stuff (weather) for a lifetime.
Q. What's the team's confidence level right now?
MILLER: I think the confidence is really good. They feel like they're gonna play a really good game this upcoming game (in B.C.) and they have tremendous in themselves and each other and the coaches have a lot of confidence too.
Q. How do you keep them from losing confidence as the losses mount?
MILLER: When you face adversity that's when character comes out and so I've talked for three years, since I've been doing this, that we have tremendous character in our locker room. I think when you have adversity it gives the character the opportunity to present itself and the leadership has an opportunity to present itself and therein lies the confidence of our team.
Q. Can this team flick a switch come playoff time and be ready?
MILLER: I don't think you flip on and off the switch and that's why it's important for us to play well, and play well this week.
Q. Is Weston Dressler ready to go?
MILLER: My temptation is to play him this week.
**We'll play all today's Rider interviews this afternoon in the Sports Cage from 4-6pm on 620 CKRM.
ROUGHRIDERS ADD DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Wright (6'5 – 300 lbs) was recently released by the New York Jets after signing as a free agent in March, 2010. The Texas product was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He missed his rookie season with a shoulder injury, but went on to play 13 games with the Dolphins in 2007 where he had 38 defensive tackles and 1.5 quarterback sacks. He was released by the team in late 2009. The 26-year-old played four seasons at Texas and had 227 defensive tackles, 42 tackles for a loss and 17.5 quarterback sacks.
PATS 5 BLADES 2
REGINA -- Are the Regina Pats for real? The Queen City Kids pulled off their third win in a row Tuesday night, upsetting the conference-leading Saskatoon Blades 5-2 in the Brandt Centre.The Pats built up period leads of 2-1 and 5-1 on the way to their first victory of the season over the CHL's 3rd-ranked team. Colin Reddin, Thomas Frazee, Garrett Mitchell, Jordan Weal and Carter Ashton scored for Regina who improved to 5-7-1 on the seaason. Damien Ketlo got the win in goal.
The Blades outshot Regina 35-33 but went 0/4 on the powerplay while the home team was 3/7. The paid attendance was 3620. Regina's next game is Saturday night when they host the Spokane Chiefs at 7:00 on 620 CKRM. It's the Pats' annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night where they'll wear special pink and blue jerseys which will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to breast cancer research.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
TUESDAY'S SPORTS CAGE
Global TV's Derek "Duke" Meyers stopped by the Sports Cage Tuesday and as always, it was big fun. In hour one we heard from Coach Miller, Kerry Joseph and Pats coach Curtis Hunt. We talked lots about the Riders and while we didn't have as many calls as Monday, the show was just as good. We're still broadcasting old school radio due to digital cart problems so we fired up some old time arena rock music on CD to pass the time.
In hour two we heard from Rider linebacker Mike McCullough and the voice of the Saskatoon Blades/Hilltops Les Lazurak. We also discussed all the Grey Cup halftime acts dating back to 1991 and suggested some new ones, and possible parade marshalls. Country star Johnny Reid seems to be a popular choice. Other callers and texters suggested Canadian acts Nickelback, Justin Bieber and Terri Clark. Seriously, why not them? Download the shows here:
HOUR ONE:
http://www.mediafire.com/?v1q44168n63jstz
HOUR TWO:
http://www.mediafire.com/?xrlrnvqri1rprkk
ROUGHRIDER SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27th11:00 am Practice indoors at the Credit Union Eventplex
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28th
11:00 am Practice at Mosaic Stadium
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29th
11:00 am Practice at Mosaic Stadium
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31st
2:00 pm SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS vs B.C. LIONS AT EMPIRE FIELD
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd
11:00 am Practice at Mosaic Stadium
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd
11:00 am Practice at Mosaic Stadium
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4th
11:00 am Practice at Mosaic Stadium
ESKS SIGN ANOTHER EX-RIDER
Stadnyk appeared in six games with the Riders in 2009 recording three special teams tackles, one defensive tackle and one tackle for a loss. The University of Montana graduate was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the second round (14th overall) in the 2008 CFL Canadian Draft. The Saskatchewan native was on the practice roster for the Calgary Stampeders from August 3, 2010 to August 23, 2010. Michael will go on the practice roster.
THREE TICATS GET PLAYER OF THE WEEK
GAME NIGHT: SASKATOON
Tonight 7:00pm Brandt Centre
6:35 Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show 620 CKRM
No Television Broadcast
The Lowdown:
This is the second time this season that these East Division rivals will face each other. The 1st meeting in Saskatoon saw the Blades score four times in the first period en route to a 7-3 win. Over the next two periods the Pats carried the play but couldn't beat 20 year old goaltender Steven Stanford as he stopped 29 of 31 Pat shots. Marek Viedensky was fantastic for the Blades with a goal and two assists. For the Pats, Mikael Jung scored his first career WHL goal in the loss.
Bridge City Bits:
Saskatoon is currently the top team in the Eastern Conference and are currently ranked 3rd in the Mastercard CHL top 10 teams in Canada. They have three players invited to play for Team WHL at the upcoming Subway Superseries on November 17th in Kamloops: forwards Curtis Hamilton and Darian Dziurzynski as well as defenceman Stefan Elliott.
JOSEPH AN ESKIMO
(Edmonton) The Edmonton Eskimos have signed import quarterback Kerry Joseph to a practice roster agreement, the club announced Monday.
"Kerry will be flying in tomorrow, and he has accepted a position on our practice roster; and, additionally, we have agreed to a conditional contract for the balance of this season, and next year,” says Eskimo General Manager Eric Tillman. “It's very possible that Kerry will be activated this weekend, but that will be Richie's decision."
Tillman further states, "Given the uncertainty of Ricky's status the next couple of weeks, and, after watching the nightmare quarterbacking scenario unfold in Winnipeg on Saturday, this is a recommendation I made to Richie this morning. We had discussed this as a 'what if' scenario a couple of weeks back, but, it became a very serious discussion today. Richie and I both are very pleased to add a proven veteran at such a critical position, especially at this time of the year. With fresh legs, a healthy body, and tons of playing experience in pressure packed games, Kerry has much to offer if he's called upon."
Monday, October 25, 2010
MONDAY'S SHOW
The links to the show archives are below. As we opened a brand new week in the Sports Cage on 620 CKRM, it was a very interesting show as expected. I had planned to fill most of the first hour with interviews from the airport on Sunday but once I took the first caller on-air, the floodgates of opinion flew open.
The Old 96'er Scott Schultz (pictured) joined us at 4:35pm but the rest of hou one was taken up with calls. In hour two, Rider guard Marc Parenteau dropped by along with John Frenzy. I asked Marc if the Riders have lost confidence or their edge from years past. You'll have to download the show to find out what he said!HOUR ONE:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ij8xd5kdubm509z
HOUR TWO:
http://www.mediafire.com/?fagua53a7h8tnwh
We continue to work through some operational issues as we had a complete crash of our Digital Cart System (DCS) and we were thrown back to old school radio but we survived. Monday was fun with lots of texts and calls. Our Sports Cage Ultimate Grey Cup Experience trivia winner was Porky Lessmeister of Assiniboia, SK.
RICKY RAY
Eskimo General Manager Eric Tillman says, "Ricky's injury has been diagnosed as a second degree strain of the serratus anterior muscle, which is the muscle that stabilizes the shoulder blade. It impacts Ricky's right shoulder, and, at this point, we are viewing his injury as day to day."
Ray sustained the injury on Saturday October 16th in BC. A game time decision, Ricky did not play last Saturday in the Eskimos 39-24 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
THREE SJHL'ERS MAKE CANADA WEST ROSTER
Carrying the SJHL banner into the event will be Yorkton Terriers forward Clarke Breitkreuz( 1991- Springside, SK), Weyburn Red Wings forward Drew George (1991-Regina, SK) and Kindersley Klippers defenceman Sean Flanagan (1992-Kindersley, SK).
BOMBERS ADD QB
Wilczynski (6-1, 190, Rowan, DOB: August 14, 1986 in Stratford, New Jersey) transferred to Rowan University from the University of Delaware where he played receiver. In his senior year, Wilczynski completed 117 passes on 207 attempts and led Rowan with 1,456 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also the school's top rusher racking up 793 yards and 15 touchdowns on 91 carries. Wilczynski holds the school records for career rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,596 yards on 207 rushes and most rushing touchdowns in a season with 15. He was a New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Conference first team selection.
THE LATEST TSN CFL RANKINGS
2. Calgary
3. Hamilton
4. Saskatchewan
5. Toronto
6. Edmonton
7. B.C.
8. Winnipeg
PATS WEEKLY
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Week In Review:Wednesday, October 20th Lethbridge Hurricanes 4 Regina Pats 3 so
The Pats got goals from Thomas Frazee, Mikael Jung and Andrew Rieder for a 3-2 lead heading into the third period of Wednesday night’s game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The ‘Canes scored a late third period goal to tie it and then former Pat, Graham Hood scored the shoot-out winner en route to a 4-3 win. Damien Ketlo was stellar in net with a 40 save performance.
Friday, October 22nd Regina Pats 2 Swift Current Broncos 0
The Pats picked up their third win of the season on Friday night in a 2-0 win over the Broncos. Damien Ketlo notched his first WHL shutout in his first win of the season. Scoring for the Pats was Mark Schneider and Thomas Frazee, while Jordan Weal picked up a couple of assists.
Sunday, October 24th Regina Pats 7 Swift Current Broncos 4
The Pats got goals from 7 different players while 15 of 18 skaters picked up points in a 7-4 Pats win. It was the first time the blue and white won back to back games this season. Dyson Stevenson and Tyler Pavkovich picked up their first career WHL point and Damien Ketlo stopped 33 of 37 Bronco shots for his second straight win.
Looking Ahead:
After a stretch of 4 games in 7 nights continues Tuesday with the week finishing Saturday night
- The Eastern Conference’s top team, the Saskatoon Blades will visit the Brandt Centre for the first time this season. The only other meeting was in Saskatoon in late September with Saskatoon coming away with the win. Catriona LeMay Doan will also be at the game providing an inspirational speech prior to the game as well as a pregame ceremony. To be involved in seeing her speak and go to the game, call Cody or Corey at 522-PATS
- The Spokane Chiefs will pay their first visit to the Brandt Centre in two years. It’s a special occasion too, as its Breast Cancer Awareness night.
In The Community:
It’s a busy week in the community for the Pats:
October 28th – Brady Brady Reading Program, 9am McLurg School
October 28th – Life Saving Hat Tricks - Canadian Blood Services, 10am
Goals for Kids:
Prairie Mobile Communications is proud to be back with “Goals for Kids”. For ever goals the Pats score, Prairie Mobile Communications will donate $15 to the Ranch Ehrlo Outdoor Hockey League. The Pats have scored 42 goals so far this season raising $620.00.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
The Regina Pats are proud to have been one of the forerunners in the WHL for the cause of Brest Cancer Awareness. For the past few seasons, the blue and white have raised money for the Canadian Cancer Society with the sales of pink Pats memorabilia and the auctioning of pink game worn jersey’s. This month is no different, with the Awareness night coming on this Saturday as the Pats host the Spokane Chiefs. That night the blue and white will be...the blue “pink” and white, with a game long silent auction for the special, game worn jerseys. You can also get your limited edition Pink Pats Scarf right now for $15 at the Neutral Zone and on www.reginapats.com.
In the Locker Room:
- The Pat power play has scored in 4 straight games, including a 2 for 5 clip Sunday night in Swift Current
- Damien Ketlo had a fantastic week, winning his first two games of the season, while picking up his first career shutout in the process. He helped the Pats to 5 put of a possible 6 points.
- Art Bidlevskii played in his first two games as a Regina Pat
- In three games this week, Jordan Weal had a goal and 4 assists and is now in the WHL’s top 15 scorers
- Mark Schneider has the game winning goal in each of the Pat wins over the Broncos and leads the Pats in game winning goals with 2.
Through the looking Glass:
Prospect Watch – Adam Beukeboom:
A free agent signee, goaltender Adam Beukeboom is playing with the Calgary Mustangs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The 16 year old is a back-up for the Mustangs and has played in 5 games this season.
A look to the Past – Garrett Festerling:
Garrett Festerling played two seasons with the Pats in 2005-06 and 2006-07 when he led the blue and white in points with 73. He is now playing in the German DEL beginning with 2 seasons with the Hanover Scorpions and now plays with the Hamburg Freezers.
RICCI TEAM CHAMPIONS
We had a fantastic weekend at The Hillcrest Curling Club with our Casino Moose Jaw Saskatchewan Women's Curling Tour Event!!Team Power Dodge (Ricci) are the Champions and won themselves $4000!! Attached is team picture of Power Dodge that you are welcome to use...
(Left to Right)
Skip: Cindy Ricci, Third: Jolene Campbell, Second: Natalie Bloomfield, Lead: Kristy Johnson
Second: U of R Team Lemon $2000
3rd & 4th: Team Selzer & Team Orsted $1000 each
5th & 6th: Team Tillie's Autobody (Kozak) & Team R. Williamson $750 each
Thanks For The Support!!
Leslie Glova
Hillcrest Curling Club Manager
TAYLOR BACK WITH ALS
Following a spectacular 2009 season with the Als, Taylor (5'6", 165 lbs) joined the New York Jets' practice squad. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player last season after finishing third in combined yards with 2,040 - including a league-best 788 punt returns yards, 1,059 kickoff return yards (fifth) and 124 missed field goal return yards (second). He had three kick return touchdowns (two on punts, one on a missed field goal), which were the most by any player in 2009. The University of Connecticut product was also named an East Division and CFL All-Star.
THE MONDAY MORNING GOALIE
With two games left in the 2010 regular season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have grabbed the nation's attention for all the wrong reasons.
Heading down the critical homestretch the Roughriders have lost a mind-boggling three games in a row by a combined score of 97-69, including a 39-24 defeat at Edmonton on Saturday night. Only two late passing touchdowns in garbage time from backups Ryan Dinwiddie to Cary Koch made the score somewhat respectable for the clearly regressing Riders.
The loss extinguished any chance of the Riders finishing first for a second-straight year and enabled Calgary to clinch first-place while watching the game with their feet up on their coffee tables. It didn't help that the Riders lost 34-26 to the Stampeders the week before IN Mosaic Stadium.
"We didn't execute in any phase," steamed Rider head coach Ken Miller after Saturday's game. "We didn't play with urgency and we didn't coach with urgency. We need to be better in every aspect of our football program."
The three game losing streak comes on the heels of a three game win streak and with a 9-7 record, the Riders can still finish a respectable 11-7. Even better, they can finish no worse than 9-9 meaning their streak remains intact of no losing seasons dating back to 2002.
However I can't remember a time in recent years where there's been so much heat on Canada's Team and, to be honest, deservedly so. The club looked below average in every area against the Eskimos who have now won two of three meetings between the clubs this year. It appears the long-time rivals are on a collision course for the 2010 western semifinal November 14 at Mosaic Stadium.
What's worse for the Riders is that no one seems to have the answers as to why the team's gone from being so dominant to becoming so inconsistent.
"I really can't explain it," shrugged Rider tailback Wes Cates. "We started off good and got momentum but I don't know what happened after that. It's crazy because we shoot ourselves in the foot."
I noted at the top of this column that the Riders have gained nation-wide attention for their slide and it's true. TSN's Dave Hodge said on Sunday's The Reporters that "the real cause for concern in the CFL is in the Rider Nation" while CFL Insider Dave Naylor tweeted "It's officially alarm bells time in Riderville".
Both are right of course, but the Green & White are pleading with their fans not to turn their backs on them when they need you the most.
"We need the whole province to believe," Cates said. "When people talk bad about us on blogs and talkshows and don't support us, it puts pressure where it doesn't need to be. We need to come together as a province and get this back where we need to be."
After all the thrills and chills this team has provided the Rider Nation over the past few years, this doesn't seem like too much for Cates to ask, does it?
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Random thoughts from the weekend:
- Way To Go Pats! They blasted the Broncos in Swift Current 7-4 last night to sweep the weekend and snap the Broncos' five-game win streak. Mitch Spooner, Garrett Mitchell, Mark Schneider, Myles Bell, Thomas Frazee, Andrew Rieder and Jordan Weal scored for the Queen City Kids while Damien Ketlo got the win in goal. BEHIND Regina in the standings are Moose Jaw and Brandon. The Pats are home to Molleken's Men, the Saskatoon Blades, tomorrow night.
- Just Like Old Times: It will be Saskatoon and Regina in the PFC championship final at Gordie Howe Bowl in Saskatoon this weekend. The Thunder eaked out a 17-6 victory over the Calgary Colts Sunday at M.S. as quarterback Reid Quest went 18/31 for 303 yards and a pair of TDs. PFC rushing champ Mark Coon was held to 76 yards on 21 carries.
- Curling: The Cindy Ricci team of Estevan defeated the Brooklyn Lemon team of Regina in the final of the Casino Moose Jaw Sask Womens Tour speil at the Hillcrest on the weekend.
- Open phones on the Sports Cage today from 4-6pm on 620 CKRM. Let 'er rip. Also on the program will be Rider guard Marc Parenteau.
- Should fans go along with Wes Cates' plea and continue to back the team, or do the Green & White need some "tough love" from their fans?
- We often joke about nutjobs but something happened on the weekend that's no laughing matter. One Rider fan emailed both CKRM AND the Riders with comments that are so graphically violent and disturbing that I can't repeat them here. My stomach turns just thinking about what he said. Guess what? The matter's been turned over to the police so I'm sure you'll be hearing this gentleman's name in the weeks ahead. Judging by his email address, he lives in Alberta. I told you the next time somebody writes in with stuff like this, we're gonna nail them. Enough's enough.
- People are writing rude things on Darian Durant's Facebook fan page as well. Come on you guys! It's getting ridiculous.
- My favourite quote of the weekend came from Rider left tackle Joel Bell. "I think everyone in the world is on Facebook," the 6'7" offensive lineman said. Actually, 1/10 of the world is on Facebook. It only seems like everybody.
- They almost got me! Some disgruntled Rider fans ALMOST sucked me in to ask the tough questions of the Rider coaches and players regarding this current slide. But then I realized I'm just the play-by-play guy, and not Mike Wallace. The REAL journalists snicker at guys like me, the unofficial on-air arm of the team's Public Relations department. In fact one coach on the weekend thanked me for going easy on him and the team. I swear on my life he did. Let the newspaper guys do the ripping.
- On cue, Leader Post sports columnist Rob Vanstone brought out the long knives today. You can read his insightfully penned article here:
http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/VANSTONE+Riders+longer+special+team/3718052/story.html
- The only thing that salvaged that weekend in Edmonton was hooking up with Jordan Eberle for a few minutes at Rexall Place Saturday morning and exchanging Rider and Oiler parapharnelia. Everything else sucked, including the blanket of snow on the ground at the Edmonton airport Sunday morning. Rider DT Marcus Adams wrote on Twitter: "I just wanna get on the bus and get out of edmonton I hate this place!!!"
- It was a perfect weekend for sports on TV. The CFL should be limited to playing its doubleheaders on Fridays and Saturdays and leave Sundays for NFL. It was PERFECT.
- Confirmation on injuries to the two Canadian Rider stars: K Luca Congi (torn ACL AND MCL and could miss next year's training camp) and WR Rob Bagg (torn ACL).
- Kerry Joseph WON'T be heading to Winnipeg despite injuries to their three quarterbacks Buck Pierce, Steven Jyles and Alex Brink. Rookie Joey Elliott starts this week while K-J scratches his head and wonders who he ticked off in the CFL.
- Going against public opinion, I have no issue with Bachman and Turner for halftime at Grey Cup (or B.T.O. as others still call them). I railed on the league for not having Canadian acts for the CFL championship in the past, so this will have to suffice. Once they crank up their hits, the youngsters in the crowd will realize they're a pretty big name outfit.
- CKRM's Michael Ball said on Saturday's Rider broadcast that he'd rather see two old guys change a tire, or Ken Miller breakdance than watch Bachman and Turner.
- I like to conduct informal polls from time to time. This weekend in Edmonton I asked bartenders, waitresses, store clerks and Oiler fans who's the better player; Eberle or Hall. As in, if you had to pick only one for you team, who would you take? The resounding answer was Taylor Hall. That surprised me a bit, but I MAY be a little biased. I suppose it would be like comparing Mark Messier and Jari Kurri back in the day. They're SO different.
- I listened to new Oilers radio announcer Jack Michaels, the American. I think he sounds really good.
- Don't beg for Twitter followers! Sheesh, it's like a prostitute hiking up her skirt on the street corner. Have some dignity Tweeters!
- After Saturday's Rider game I retired to my room and watched UFC on my laptop and the Oilers-Sharks on the TV. I was shocked Cain Velasquez destroyed Brock Lesnar so efficiently and so soon. And it was hard to see the big man in such a vulnerable position.
- Once I got home, I was still so distraught over the Rider loss that I got lost driving around Harbour Landing. Can you believe that?
AND HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND? TALK TO YOU TODAY IN THE CAGE
RP
Sunday, October 24, 2010
HILLTOPS-THUNDER FINAL
Saskatoon Hilltops 59
Winnipeg Rifles 25
Regina Thunder 17
Calgary Colts 6
MILLER SUNDAY COMMENTS
Q. Can you assess the game...
MILLER: Players didn't play well, I didn't coach well and we need improvement really in every area. We had some individuals who stepped up and played well. Cary Koch went in and played very, very well. Ryan Dinwiddie threw an interception for a touchdown but I thought he acquitted himself well too. We had individuals who played well but football is a team game and you have to play well as an entire team in order to be successful.
Q. What do you mean by you didn't coach well?
MILLER: When it looks like the players are complacent, maybe I could've done something better from a motivational point of view. Although I think the best motivation is self-motivation but certainly I think that there's a complacency with the fact that we've sewn up a home playoff game and so I don't think there was a sense of urgency there for the players to play at their very best. That's something we have to do because winning football is a habit so we want to win, we want to play well so that when we get to the playoff game, we'll play well at that time.
Q. Will you call on the players to show more emotion?
MILLER: I do that. I have on a regular basis and as we go forward here in the next couple of days I'm going to meet with the coaches, the coordinators, the coaching staff together and then with the leaders on the team and see if we can't resolve this situation.
Q. Are the last two games must-wins to get people going?
MILLER: Certainly we want to play well so a win would be important for us and make us feel well about where we're at and again, develop the habits that are necessary to win come playoff time.
Q. Are the next two games like preseason games?
MILLER: That's something that really goes against my grain right now. When we go on the field, we go on the field for one purpose and that is to play well and to win. We want to prepare for the playoff game but in the meantime we have a high standard as Rider players and coaches to uphold and we need to do a good job of that.
SUNDAY SPORTS
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Joe Pavelski had a goal and two assists in the San Jose Sharks'
6-1 victory over Edmonton. Jordan Eberle had the lone goal for the Oilers, who have lost four straight after two wins to open the season. Joe Thornton had three assists for the Sharks.
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Montreal blanked the Ottawa Senators 3-zeroin the N-H-L. Andrei Kostitsyn scored twice for the Habs and Carey Price made 19 saves for his first shutout in nearly two years.
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Thomas Vanek scored twice and the Buffalo Sabres hammered New Jersey 6-1. The struggling Devils benched high-priced left-wing Ilya Kovalchuk for the game. New Jersey is winless at home under new coach John MacLean and 2-5-and-1 overall.
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Mike Richards scored his first goal of the season and had two
assists to help the Philadelphia Flyers snap a three-game losing
streak with a 5-2 victory over Toronto. Phil Kessel and Clarke
MacArthur scored for the Maple Leafs. Of the Leafs' 20 goals, 12 have been scored by that tandem.
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The Regina Pats look to sweep a home-and-home series with Swift Current as they visit the Broncos tonight at 7:00. 620 CKRM has the broadcast with the Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show hitting the air at 6:35pm.
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Jared Zabransky had a sparking fill-in effort at quarterback,
leading the Eskimos over the slumping Saskatchewan Roughriders 39-24. Zabransky completed 16-of-23 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns as Edmonton earned its fifth win in six games. In the other CFL game, Toronto booked its post-season spot by winning
27-8 over Winnipeg.
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The Regina Thunder hosts its first-ever playoff game today when they host the Calgary Colts in a PFC semifinal. Kickoff at Mosaic Stadium is 1:00.
(With files from C-P)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
EDMONTON 39 SASKATCHEWAN 24
EDMONTON -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders' losing streak hit three games as they were stomped 39-24 by the Eskimos in Edmonton Saturday night. The Riders turned the ball over on five occasions while the Eskimos never gave it up once as they stayed alive in the playoff chase, improving to 6-10.
Edmonton led 15-7 after the first quarter, 22-10 at the half and 29-10 going to the fourth. Jason Armstead, Fred Stamps, Daniel Porter, Derick Armstrong and T.J. Hill scored the TDs for the Eskimos. Chris Szarka had a major for the Riders while Cary Koch had a pair of late touchdown receptions from Ryan Dinwiddie who replaced Darian Durant with three minutes to go.
With the loss the Riders drop to 9-7 as they get set to visit the 6-10 B.C. Lions next Sunday.
COACH KEN MILLER POSTGAME QUOTES
RIDER COACH KEN MILLER
- “We didn’t execute in any phase. We didn’t play with urgency and we didn’t coach with urgency. We need to be better in every aspect of our football program.”
- “We had a bad start, but came back and drove right down and scored. But from that point forward it was an exercise in frustration. We have to find a way to stay on the field offensively, stay on the field defensively and do a good job all over with our special teams.”
- “Cary Koch came up with some big plays but Dinwiddie too. He had the interception but after that he came back. We had bright spots individually that we can build on but as an organization we have to be better.”
- “We have to get that switch turned back on. That’s my responsibility and we will be better.”
- “B.C. is feeling good about themselves and we have a lot of work to do. We have a good football team that’s not playing well and that falls on my shoulders. But we will get it moving forward.”
- “We play one game at a time. We have to make the corrections from this game and play the next game and play it well. We don’t want to look ahead to the playoffs, we need to improve going into the playoffs.”
- “I am not pleased with this effort at all. I’m pleased with some individuals and we need to build on everything.”
GAME DAY: RIDERS @ ESKIMOS
SASKATCHEWAN (9-6) AT EDMONTON (5-10), 5PM MT, TSN, CKRMRIDERS: Road 3-4, Vs West 4-3
ESKS: Home 3-4, Vs West 3-5
RIDER OFFENSE: Rush 5th, Pass 2nd, Overall 3rd
QB Darian Durant is the CFL's top passer (4722 yards). Andy Fantuz (1158) leads the team in receiving yards and is 3rd in the CFL. Wes Cates (868) leads the club in rushing and is 6th in the league.
ESKIMO OFFENSE: Rush 4th, Pass 6th, Overall 6th
QB Ricky Ray has 3319 yards passing. Fred Stamps (1046) leads the club in receiving yards and rookie tailback Daniel Porter has 227 yards rushing and is the reigning CFL offensive player of the week.
RIDER DEFENSE: Rush 7th, Pass 5th, Overall 7th
LB Jerrell Freeman leads the club in sacks while S James Patrick leads the CFL in interceptions (9).
ESKIMO DEFENSE: Rush 6th, Pass 5th, Overall 8th
DE Kenny Pettway leads the club in sacks (6) while DB Chris Thompson is their interception leader (7).
RIDER SPECIAL TEAMS: Ultra-cool Eddie Johnson is 2nd in kickoff average (66.6 yards) and is 3rd in punting average (44.6). He is 1/a on FG attempts from 36 yards out. Ryan Grice-Mullen has a 22-yard kickoff return average on 11 returns and a 7.7 yard average on 11 punt returns.
INTANGIBLES: The Riders are +1 in the takeaway-giveaway ratio which is 5th in the CFL ... The Eskimos are a CFL-worst -23 ... The Riders are the CFL's 2nd-least penalized team while the Eskimos are 5th.
FORECAST: +8 and sunny.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The ground game will be forefront in this contest. Ricky Ray had a career-best 136 yards rushing in last week's overtime win at B.C. while rookie Daniel Porter had 171 yards. Can the Riders stop them? Meanwhile the Roughriders need to prove they can stop the run, and they'll also try to establish a ground game themselves. SB Weston Dressler (groin)
will not play for the Riders, and his snaps will be taken up by rookie Cary Koch.
QUOTABLE: Calgary's surprising loss to the B.C. Lions last night opened the door for the Riders to at least challenge for first-place. The loss dropped the Stampeders to 11-5 while the Riders are two wins back. Rider coach Ken Miller wasn't sure whether to rest players for the last three games, or to try to catch Calgary. I asked him this morning if last night's result changes their focus at all. "It really doesn't change our focus and it doesn't change our game plan," Miller stated. "We've been preparing for this football game and it's prime importance in our mind. Our focus is on this game and we're going to play it with great intensity. We're looking at first-place and we're looking to win this game. When next week rolls around we'll be looking to win that one as well."
FRIDAY CFL RESULTS
(C-P)
Friday, October 22, 2010
DINOS 35 RAMS 27
The Rams trailed by 21 points at halftime, but mounted a comeback that saw them score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to draw to within eight points. Quarterback Marc Mueller engineered a drive that brought the Rams all the way to the Calgary five in the game's final minute, but a third-down throw to Connor Haas fell incomplete in the end zone as the drive came up short.
Both teams move to 5-2 on the season. Calgary can finish in first place in the Canada West standings with a win next week against Alberta and a loss by Saskatchewan in either of its final two games. The Rams can still finish in first place, but need a win next week at Saskatchewan and a Dinos loss next week against the Golden Bears.
PATS 2 BRONCOS 0
REGINA -- Damien Ketlo made 29 saves for his first shutout of the season as the Regina Pats blanked the Swift Current Broncos 2-0 Friday night in Regina.20-year old Pats defenceman Mark Schneider scored 0:54 into the contest and it was all the offense the Pats would need as they snapped a 2-game slide. Carter Ashton added the insurance marker at 1:54 of the third period on the powerplay. Jordan Weal netted two assists in the victory.
Regina was 1/9 on the powerplay and 6/6 killing penalties. The Pats outshot their Highway 1 rivals 32-29 before the paid attendance of 4534. The victory upped the Pats' record to 3-7-1-1. Their next game is Sunday night in Swift Current on 620 CKRM.
CKRM WEEK 17 CFL 2010 PICKS
FRI: MTL @ HAM
BC @ CGY
SAT: TOR @ WPG
SK @ EDM
ANNOUNCER/RECORD/PICKS
REMPLE (40-20): MTL - CGY - WPG - SK
LYNCH (40-20): MTL - CGY - WPG - SK
CURRIE (39-21): HAM - CGY - WPG - SK
CARTERI (38-22): HAM - CGY - WPG - EDM
BLAIR (36-24): MTL - CGY - WPG - SK
PEDERSEN (34-26): MTL - CGY - TOR - SK
