Curling News
I wonder how many people in Westman watched former Oak Lake curler Janelle Vachon play on TSN when the network covered the "Roar of the Rings" pre-Olympic trials last weekend from Summerside, PEI.
Vachon throws second rocks for Winnipeg's Brianne Meilleur's rink and while they made it to the "A" side qualifier, they unfortunately were eventually eliminated and will not be going to the Olympic Curling Trials being held in Ottawa in early December. Still a "feel good" story!
Golden Bears
The VCI Golden Bears' annual hockey tournament begins tonight with the host team taking on the Crocus Plainsmen at 8:00 p.m. Kenora, Ontario, and two Winkler teams (NPC & Garden Valley Zodiacs) round out the five-team round robin event that concludes Sunday afternoon. The Bears' (3-1) first regular season home game will be on Thursday when they take on the Minnedosa Chancellors.
Gullett’s rise
Congratulations to former Oil Caps marketing manager Lindsey Gullett who recently found his "dream job" with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.
The Wawanesa product, who spent two years in Virden before joining the AHL's Manitoba Moose, will now be involved in game day promotions, along with keeping corporate sponsors happy.
Oil Caps on the road
The Oil Caps meanwhile will take their show on the road (currently in fourth place, 13-6) with games in Winkler tomorrow night before heading up north to The Pas, where they will play the Blizzard on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Next home game is a week from today when the league leading Steinbach Pistons visit TOGP, a good chance for the Caps to see how they measure up against the best.
NHL Hall of Fame
Some very deserving superstars were inducted into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame this week with each one leaving their distinctive mark on the game. Stanley Cup winner Dave Andreychuk scored over 600 goals, with most coming from his office situated about one inch from the goalie's crease.
Point-a-game speedster and Olympic champion Paul Kariya lit up the league for many seasons while his best friend and former Jet and Rookie of the Year Teemu Selanne, who played in six Olympics, were "shoe ins" from the get go.
Mark Recchi, with his three Stanley Cups with three different teams from three different decades was a no-brainer. And finally, Danielle Goyette with her eight World Championships and two Olympic gold medals around her neck was an obvious choice in the female category, joining her close friend Hayley Wickenheiser.
Trivia time
#1) name the three teams that Mark Recchi won the Cup with.
#2) easy one, what's Teemu's nickname?
Soccer
It may not mean much on this side of the pond but over in Europe, where football (soccer) is king, fans, especially in Italy, were left absolutely stunned after Sweden beat their heroes, dashing their hopes from competing in next year’s World Cup.
Because the talented Italians have qualified for every WC since 1958, winning the title four times (it became almost a foregone conclusion that they would be the favourite there), one can see how they might be a little miffed when their candy was taken away from them.
By the way, when is the European Football Federation going to come out of the Stone Age and institute replays and coaches’ challenges because so many obvious penalties, particularly hand balls in the crease, are being missed and it could have cost the Swedes their most glorious victory of the century.
More trivia
#3) what country is hosting the 2018 World Cup?
Baseball
Cody Bellinger, who wasn't even on the opening day roster of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been voted the NL Rookie of the Year in MLB while over in the AL, New York Yankees slugger Aaron "All Rise" Judge wins mainly due to his historic 54 dingers.
It was a sad day for Blue Jays fans this week as one of their all-time best pitchers, Roy "Doc" Halladay, was laid to rest. The eight-time all-star with two no-hitters and two Cy Young awards, not to mention a perfect game in the playoffs, was killed last week when the plane he was piloting crashed into the water down south. IMHO, there is no doubt that one day #32 will enter Cooperstown, home of baseball's hall of fame, wearing a Blue Jay hat of course.
Trivia answers
#1) Recchi won in Pittsburgh, Carolina and Boston.
#2) the Finnish Flash.
#3) Russia. Until next time....
