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Saturday, February 4th, 2012
Super Bowl XLVI takes place tomorrow from Indianapolis, as the New York Giants play the New England Patriots in a rematch of the Super Bowl from 2007 when the Giants beat the Patriots 17-14 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Currently the Patriots are a 2.5 point favourite.
With all the talk that the Giants have the better defense than the Patriots, I simply don’t buy it. The Patriots allowed 58 fewer points than the Giants this season.
Offensively, there has been some concern regarding who Tom Brady will be able to throw to at the tight end position with Rob Gronkowski hurt. People must remember that Aaron Hernandez is the best backup tight end in the NFL.
I’m picking the Patriots to win their fourth Super Bowl 34-16. For more information on Super Bowl XLVI please go to my blog earlier in the week.
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Tags: aaron hernandez, alexsandr zubkov, amir johnson, bobsledding, cody sorensen, deMar deRozan, detroit red wings, Edmonton Oilers, james johnson, jesse lumsden, jimmy howard, leandro barbosa, linas kleiza, lyndon rush, maximilian arndt, Miami Heat, neville wright, new england patriots, new york giants, rob gronkowski, super bowl, tom brady, Toronto Raptors
Posted in Amateur Sports, NBA, NFL, NHL | No Comments »
Saturday, February 4th, 2012
There was an unexpected Canadian victory Saturday on the slopes of Chamonix, France.
Thirty year-old Jan Hudec of Calgary won Gold in posting a time of 2:03.25. Austria’s Romed Baumann won Silver with a time of 2:03.78, and Erik Guay of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec finished third with a time of 2:03.88.
Ben Thomsen of Invermere, British Columbia also skied extremely well by finishing in fifth place.
This was Hudec’s second career victory. He previously won in Lake Louise in November, 2007. Hudec also has a Silver medal on his resume from the 2007 World Alpine Skiing Championships in Are, Sweden.
Since 2008, Hudec has had an injury plagued career, undergoing numerous knee surgeries and back problems. Hudec’s outstanding performance in Chamonix Saturday, host city of the 1924 Olympic Winter Games, was a symbol of tenacity, courage, and self-discipline.
According to the Associated Press, Hudec woke up this morning feeling great and no pain whatsoever.
With the win, Hudec moved to ninth in the World Cup Standings, and Guay moved to sixth with his Bronze medal performance. Didier Cuche of Switzerland continues to lead.
The next World Cup downhill is in Sochi, Russia next Saturday.
Tags: ben thomsen, didier cuche, erik guay, jan hudec, romed baumann, skiing
Posted in Amateur Sports | No Comments »
Friday, February 3rd, 2012
Jay Bouwmeester (Wikimedia Commons)
The Calgary Flames moved closer to a playoff spot Friday night.
At the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Flames moved within three points of the Minnesota Wild for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Flames goal scorers Friday were Olli Jokinen, Jay Bouwmeester and Jarome Iginla. Jokinen’s goal was a top corner shot. Bouwmeester meanwhile came in from the point on the powerplay and Iginla deked Ray Emery after receiving a beautiful long pass from Alex Tanguay.
The Flames finally generated some offense after scoring only one goal in their last two games combined. Miikka Kiprusoff was also key as he recorded 26 saves in a game where he passed Mike Vernon as the Flames’ all-time leader in games played with 527.
In other Flames news, the team called up Calgary native Krystofer Kolanos from Abbotsford who played in his first NHL game in three years. Kolanos could be a very valuable part of the Flames offense because of his experience (11 goals with Phoenix in 2002) and the injuries to Curtis Glencross (on the injury reserve with a lower body injury), David Moss (possibly out for the season with an ankle injury) and Lee Stempniak out for the next six weeks with a high ankle sprain.
Calgary next plays in Anaheim on Monday night. The Blackhawks meanwhile have now lost five straight.
Tags: alex tanguay, anaheim ducks, calgary flames, Chicago Blackhawks, jarome iginla, jay boumeester, jay bouwmeester, krystofer kolanos, miikka kiprusoff, mike vernon, minnesota wild, olli jokinen
Posted in NHL | No Comments »
Friday, February 3rd, 2012
A great friend of Prospect Magazine has signed with the Edmonton Eskimos.
On Friday, the Eskimos confirmed the signing of home grown guard Simeon Rottier, who grew up in Westlock.
Rottier played his first three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Prior to that he played three seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Rottier was the very first Golden Bear drafted first overall in the Canadian Football League Canadian Collegiate Draft and was also selected to play in the 2008 East-West Shrine Bowl.
Rottier, who was once on the cover of Prospect Magazine, Alberta’s elite sports publication, will be counted on this season to give incoming quarterback Steven Jyles time to make decisions at quarterback.
An area of weakness last season, Rottier will bring great experience to an Eskimos team that struggled mightily in the 2011 Western Final offensively against the British Columbia Lions. The Eskimos will also need solid production from Greg Wojt, the Eskimos most outstanding offensive lineman in 2011, and Kyle Koch who injured his knee on October 10, and was gone for the season.
Tags: Alberta Golden Bears, Edmonton Eskimos, greg wojt, hamilton tiger-cats, kyle koch, simeon rottier, steven jyles
Posted in CFL | No Comments »
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
Sam Gagner (Bridget Samuels, Wikimedia Commons)
Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey now have company.
On Thursday night Sam Gagner tied the Edmonton Oilers record for most points in a game with eight as Edmonton defeated Chicago 8-4.
Gagner had four goals and four assists. Coming into the hockey game, Gagner only had five goals all season long.
Taylor Hall added two goals while defencemen Cam Barker and Ryan Whitney added the other two.
Darryl Sittler of the Toronto Maple Leafs has the NHL record with 10 points in a game–on February 7, 1976. The last player to record 8 points in a game was Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 25, 1989. The last player to record 8 points in a regular season game was also Lemieux on December 31, 1988.
Gretzky recorded eight points in a game twice– in 1983 against New Jersey and1984 against Minnesota. Paul Coffey recorded his eight point night against Detroit in 1986, in a game I had the highest honour of attending.
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks, darryl sittler, Edmonton Oilers, Paul Coffey, sam gagner, Taylor Hall, Wayne Gretzky
Posted in NHL | No Comments »
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
Steve Nash (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)
The magic of Steve Nash continues.
The greatest Canadian basketball player ever had another magical game last night as he scored 30 points and 10 assists in Phoenix’s 120-103 win over the New Orleans Hornets.
At age 37, Nash became the oldest player in NBA history to record a 30/10 double double. Nash also became the Suns all-time leader in assists with 6,522. Kevin Johnson had the old record with 6,518.
If you combine Nash’s 6522 assists with Phoenix and his 2889 career assists with the Dallas Mavericks from 1998-2004, Nash has a career total of 9441 assists. Nash is sixth all-time behind John Stockton of the Utah Jazz, Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Jackson of the New York Knicks, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers and Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals.
Unfortunately though at 8-13 it is unlikely the Suns will make the postseason this year, meaning Nash will need to play elsewhere to have a chance at winning his first Championship.
Tags: cincinnati royals, dallas mavericks, jason kidd, john stockton, kevin johnson, los angeles lakers, magic johnson, mark jackson, new orleans hornets, New York Knicks, oscar robertson, phoenix suns, Steve Nash, utah jazz
Posted in NBA | No Comments »
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
The hockey world is currently a buzz following Los Angeles’ 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Staples Center last night.
With a second left in the game last night, Kings’ defenceman Drew Doughty scored on the power play from Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson to give the Kings a much needed victory in the Western Conference.
But on the replay, the clock stopped momentarily with 1.8 seconds left. With the clock malfunction occurring, the goal should not have counted, meaning the Kings got an extra point that they should not have necessarily deserved as of yet anyways.
According to NHL Executive Vice-President Colin Campbell, the game last night cannot be changed. Los Angeles will get two points in the standings and Columbus none. The result is meaningless for the Blue Jackets but huge for the Kings, who in seventh place in the Western Conference, enhance their lead on a playoff spot to six points over Dallas and Colorado.
But my argument is something can be done and the NHL should not rule by the letter of the law. In the NBA in 2008 , the final 52 seconds of the game played between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks was replayed because Shaquille O’Neal was mistakenly fouled out of the game.
The Kings play the Blue Jackets again this season on March 8, and in my opinion, the time leading up to the previous faceoff should be replayed at that time. What do you think?
Tags: atlanta hawks, colin campbell, columbus blue jackets, drew doughty, los angeles kings, Miami Heat, Shaquille O'Neal
Posted in NHL | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
Taylor Hall (Wikimedia Commons)
Over the next two months the Calgary Flames will need to cheer for an unlikely source at times. It won’t happen all that often, but Tuesday night was one of those nights where an Oilers win actually helped the Flames.
With Calgary battling Colorado, Minnesota, Phoenix, and Dallas for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West, the Flames got significant help from their provincial rival.
Taylor Hall scored at 6:01 of the third period to give the Oilers a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was expected to play but didn’t because of the flu.
The Flames, who are two points back of Colorado and three points back of Minnesota for a playoff spot, didn’t help themselves however with a 3-1 loss to Detroit. Jiri Hudler scored the game winning goal midway through the third period.
Prior to the game the Flames paid tribute to former captain and assistant coach Brad McCrimmon who died in the Lokomotiv plane crash in September.
The Oilers next play the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, while the Flames play Chicago Friday.
Tags: brad mccrimmon, colorado avalanche, detroit red wings, Edmonton Oilers, jiri hudler, minnesota wild, Taylor Hall
Posted in NHL | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
Super Bowl Logo (Wikimedia Commons)
Is it me, or does anyone disagree with the notion that there still should be two weeks between the NFL Conference Championships and the Super Bowl?
For those that just might have forgotten, the New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in the AFC Championship and the New York Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in overtime for the NFC Championship to set up Sunday’s big game from Indianapolis.
If you watched the Pro Bowl in Hawaii this past weekend, and apparently saw Brandon Marshall of the Miami Dolphins record four touchdown receptions, shame on you. How can you have an All-Star Game when the two best teams in the league aren’t represented?
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Tags: ahmad bradshaw, baltimore ravens, benjarvus green-ellis, bill belichick, brandon jacobs, brandon marshall, calvin johnson, detroit lions, drew brees, eli manning, hakeem nicks, indianapolis colts, jake ballard, joe montana, miami dolphins, new england patriots, new orleans saints, new york giants, ottawa renegades, peyton manning, philadelphia eagles, pittsburgh steelers, pro bowl, rob gronkowski, san francisco 49ers, stephen gostkowski, steve smith, super bowl, terry bradshaw, tom brady, tom coughlin, victor cruz, wes welker
Posted in Home, NFL | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
We now know what curling teams will represent their respective provinces at the 2012 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Red Deer from February 18-26.
Team Alberta will be represented by Edmonton’s Heather Nedohin who will be skipping at her second National Championship. She finished 6-5 at the 2000 Scott Tournament of Hearts in Prince George, British Columbia. Nedohin defeated Jessie Kaufman 8-5 Sunday in Leduc.
Nedohin has significant experience at the National Championship. She won the Scott Tournament of Hearts in 1998 as a third to Cathy King. Nedohin also represented Alberta at the 1997 Scott Tournament of Hearts.
Other very notable names are defending champion Amber Holland of Team Canada, 2007 World Champion Kelly Scott of British Columbia and 2008 World Champion Jennifer Jones of Manitoba.
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Tags: 2012 scotties tournament of hearts, amber holland, beth iskiw, cathy king, colleen jones, heather nedohin, heather smith-dacey, jennifer jones, jessie kaufman, kelly scott, laine peters, marie france-larouche
Posted in Curling | No Comments »
Sunday, January 29th, 2012
Novak Djokovic (Wikimedia Commons)
It could be considered one of the greatest tennis matches of all-time.
On Sunday in Melbourne, Australia, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, the world number one, defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain, the world number two 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5.
It was the longest match in terms of time for a final in Grand Slam tennis history since the ATP decided to bring in the tie-breaker in 1968.
In all the match lasted 5 hours and 53 minutes, including a ten minute rain delay as organizers had to close the roof at Rod Laver Arena. I woke up at 1:30am this morning and went back to bed at 7:30am.
There were times when Djokovic could have beaten Nadal earlier. In the fourth set, Djokovic had a triple break opportunity, but Nadal was able to hold his serve in a very gritty performance. Nadal would go on to win the set and force a fifth and deciding set.
Once again the unforced error category could have been the difference. Nadal had 71 compared to Djokovic’s 69.
With the win, Djokovic defended his Australian Open title, and won his third consecutive Grand Slam as he also won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.
Tags: australian open, novak djokovic, RAFAEL NADAL
Posted in ATP World Tour, More | No Comments »
Saturday, January 28th, 2012
Christine Nesbitt has set a World Record in the women’s 1000m at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships at the Olympic Oval in Calgary.
Nesbitt posted a time of 1:12.68, smashing the previous World Record of 1:13.11 set by the great Cindy Klassen in 2006.
Nesbitt is the current leader in the women’s competition after day one.
Tags: christine nesbitt, world sprint speed skating championships
Posted in Amateur Sports | No Comments »
Saturday, January 28th, 2012
Victoria Azarenka (Nevit Dilmen, Wikimedia Commons)
The Women’s Tennis Association has a new world number one.
On Saturday, Belarussian Victoria Azarenka won her first Grand Slam title in defeating Russian Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0.
Azarenka did a great job throughout the Australian Open final in going from defense to offense when she was returning her serve. Once again the unforced errors category basically told the story why Sharapova lost. The 2008 Australian Open champion had 30 unforced errors compared to Azarenka’s 12.
While watching ESPN’s coverage of the match, colour commentator Chris Evert got on my nerves. First, she completely mispronounced Nikolai Khabibulin. She called him KA-BIB-U-LIN before being corrected. Khabibulin is a family friend of Azarenka’s and allowed her to live in his Scottsdale basement when she first arrived to the United States.
Evert stated that “time was running out on Sharapova.” That is nonsense. Sharapova is only 24 years old and is younger than many elite players on tour. Also, she claimed Azarenka has Sharapova’s number. Well she had Sharapova’s number last night, but when you look at their head-to-head statistics, Azarenka leads 4-3.
Tags: australian open, maria sharapova, victoria azarenka, Victoria Azarenka Picture
Posted in Home | No Comments »
Saturday, January 28th, 2012
Melissa Tancredi (Wikimedia Commons)
When Canadians watch the 2012 Olympic Games in London, they’ll be watching the Canadian women’s soccer team.
On Friday night at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver, Team Canada qualified for their consecutive Olympic Games with a 3-1 win over Mexico.
Christine Sinclair, probably the best women’s soccer player in the world, scored twice and Melissa Tancredi of Hamilton, Ontario scored the game winning goal.
Team Canada will be joined in the tournament by the United States who earlier on Friday defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in a shutout victory. The Americans despite being outplayed by Costa Rica in the first half.
Team Canada will be looking for redemption at the 2012 Games. Four years ago at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Canada lost 2-1 to the United States in overtime in the quarterfinals. Then at last year’s World Cup, Team Canada played very poor and finished dead last in the tournament.
Other countries that have qualified to date are Great Britain, Japan, North Korea, South Africa, Cameroon, Brazil, Colombia, Sweden and France. The Olympic tournament starts July 25.
Tags: 2012 olympic games, christine sinclair, melissa tancredi, women's soccer
Posted in Soccer | No Comments »
Super Bowl XLVI takes place tomorrow from Indianapolis, as the New York Giants play the New England Patriots in a rematch of the Super Bowl from 2007 when the Giants beat the Patriots 17-14 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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