World Juniors
The annual and traditional WJHC (World Junior Hockey Championship) began in Vancouver/Victoria and as usual it has captivated many Canadian hockey fans. After unceremoniously brushing aside Denmark and Switzerland in their first two matches, it'll become much more difficult from here on in for the defending champions. Russia and the Czechs should give them a good test during round robin play. So far the team has shown some flashes of brilliance but a more consistent effort will be needed if they hope to bring home gold again.
EBL
The wait is over for Brandon and its bid for an expansion franchise in the EBL (Expedition Baseball League). The team will be called the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks and will play a 64 game schedule against nine other teams from North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. Each team will be made up of mostly NCAA college ball players with a few Canadian boys (hopefully from Brandon) thrown in for good measure, to give it a natural local flavour. How Brandon and southwest Manitoba receives this new kid on the block will indeed be interesting as interest in the game, from a fan point of view, hasn't exactly been great in recent years.
Top Female Athlete
For the third time in four years, Smith Falls, Ontario golfing sensation Brooke Henderson is Canada's Female Athlete of the Year, and deservedly so. After winning two tournaments last season, seven for her career, the 20-year-old became the first Canadian golfer to win the national title in 45 years, quite the accomplishment considering her best years are still ahead.
NFL
The playoff picture has finally been set but not before a lot of anxiety, crying and jubilation had been expended by the various teams throughout the last weekend of play. For the first round I'm laying all my pesos on all the home team, so in the AFC take the Ravens over the Chargers while the Texans will have their way against the Colts. In the tougher NFC, even though I don't like them, it'll be America's team (Dallas) beating Seahawks and in an old time classic, Da Bears over the always tough and still defending SB champions, the Eagles. Can backup QB Nick (déjà vu) Foles do it again? Why not?
Trivia Time; Where is Super Bowl LIII being played?
Santa's 2019 Wish List
1. A provincial championship (Viterra) for Graham Freeman's rink.
2. An MJHL title for Coach Troy Leslie and the Oil Capitals. (Next home game is Tuesday, Jan. 8 when the Stampeders come to TOGP).
3. An NCHL championship for Blair Koop, Brett Braybrook and the Oil Kings.
4. A SWBL title for Des Koop and his Oilers.
5. A provincial title for VCI coaches John Chandler, Curtis Plett, Doug Roach and Mark Robertson.
Trivia Answer; Atlanta on Feb. 3.
May 2019 bring you and yours health, happiness and prosperity. Until next time....
