Jul
Imagine a CFL with good teams in the East
Courtesy Winnipeg Free Press:
And now, a few idle musings now that summer appears here to stay, all the while pondering the galactic curiosity that the Bombers won their first game of the 2009 season before experiencing our first mosquito bite…First, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers smack the defending Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders in the mouth. Only a few hours later, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (née Pussy-Cats) waltz into the B.C. Lions lair and come away with a victory.
What next? Paulie Shore uttering the words, “I’d like to thank the Academy…?” Donald S. Cherry wearing an “I (Heart) Hardy Astrom” T-shirt? Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood NOT dating someone one-third his age?
OK, maybe it won’t last, but wasn’t it refreshing to at least get a taste of what the CFL world might be like if East division outfits like the Bombers, in general, and Tiger-Cats, in particular, develop into wild-cards as the 2009 campaign unfolds?
Sure, the local 12 are only a couple years removed from a Grey Cup, but they entered the season as complete unknowns, after an unimpressive 8-10 mark, with an inexperienced young quarterback. The Tabbies, meanwhile, were a collection of lost souls, coming off back-to-back 3-15 seasons (Oskie Waa-Waa), with an inexperienced young quarterback.
Sure, it’s early, but just perhaps the dominance showed by the West in the last two years might be on the wane. Both the Lions and Stampeders are winless (0-2). For now.
And this much is guaranteed: Either the Bombers or Tiger-Cats are going to win this week to improve to 2-1, a far cry from last season.
Is the East on the rise? Stay tuned.
But for now, at least, a fledgling message is being sent to the West: Crossover this, pal.
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We’re not sure who the Manitoba Moose employ for a carpenter, but whoever it is must be pretty busy these days.
After all, somebody’s got to build the trophy case for all that hardware the Antlered Ones have been collecting.
The latest recognition came in the form of the James. C. Hendy Memorial Award to Moose GM Craig Heisinger as the AHL’s top executive. This coming on the heels of head coach Scott Arniel being named the league’s coach of the year.
Monday, in a long-anticipated move, the parent Vancouver Canucks extended Arniel’s contract. We’re pretty sure Heisinger’s contract with Moose president Mark Chipman is extended, well, as long as Heisinger wants the job.
However, if the Moose have any hope of adorning their trophy case with the ultimate prize, a Calder Cup, it looks like Heisinger is going to have to be in the running for executive of the year next season, too.
After all, the Moose have already seen leading scorer Jason Krog bolt to the Atlanta Thrashers and longtime sniper Jason Jaffray sign with the Calgary Flames.
On Monday, the club announced that centre Mark Cullen, who notched 39 points in just 56 games with the Moose last season, inked a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.
An incurable angler, Heisinger’s fishing season was already abbreviated by a lengthy playoff run. Alas, we’re guessing he’ll be spending the majority of the off-season trolling for replacements, not pickerel.
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What’s wrong with us, anyway?
Because it seems to me there’s just a little too much, albeit hidden, glee over the demise of the Asper family’s media empire, where Canwest stock is now worth less than a postage stamp. Sure, it’s a huge financial news story but this being Winnipeg, there is an undercurrent of smugness from a constituency of locals who seem to revel in the misfortune — and that can be taken literally in this case — of one of the city’s most prominent families.
Because while Bombers owner-in-waiting David Asper has long insisted the collapse of the media empire has no bearing on his plans to build a new football stadium, you have to wonder about the team’s long-term future given the Canwest troubles coupled with a stagnant economy.
Happy now?
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You know, I’m not great at predictions, but here’s a keeper: A Winnipegger who scored exactly one NHL goal in 2008-2009 will become one of the most popular hockey players in the country next season.
That’s right, Colton “Don’t Call Me Bobby” Orr.
As the brand new Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer, Orr will assume the pugilistic mantle formerly held by Tie Domi.
He’ll become the apple of a Cherry’s eye and will symbolize Brian Burke’s turning-of-a-new-Leafs.
Plus, Orr will probably be the main event every Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada.
In the absence of any real star power in Leafs Nation, Orr will become a household name.
Not that anyone likes fighting in hockey, of course. Ahem.
