UFC 119 Picks

Cro Cop vs Mir

Pick: Cro Cop

Bader vs Nogueira

Pick: Bader

Serra vs Lytle

Pick: Serra

Denham vs Sherk

Pick:Sherk

Stephens vs Guillard

Guillard

Back to the Season Grind

Within 2 nights the Bruins are going to experience the biggest and the smallest ice surfaces that the SJHL have to offer...The olympic ice size in the Duncan McNeil Arena will provide a chance for guys like Ben Findlay, Justin Waskewitch and Michael Hengen among others to display their offensive skill in the larger surface.

It will be interesting to see the Bruins facing a new team after beating Melville in a pair of wins. While they did look impressive, how much stock can be taken when they only beat one team in the opening weekend. The SJHL is already proving to be full of parity. The Bruins are the only undefeated team in the Sherwood, while in the Bauer Humboldt, La Ronge, and Flin Flon are unbeaten after week 1. It will be another dog fight throughout the whole league until the end of the Feb. when the playoffs begin.

After a long week (well it seemed like it) I am just excited to be heading back to the rink and watching live hockey.

Fast Start

There is no doubt that the Bruins got off to a fast start in the very young SJHL season. A pair of wins over Melville is no small feat, but the fact they had 13 goals from 12 different players is probably the most impressive stat. Their is no doubt that the Bruins have 4 solid lines, and all of them offer something different to the team, which bodes well for the team this season.

Joel Danyluk was named the goalie of the week, after posting a pair of wins in the opening weekend of the season. I think the most impressive thing that Danyluk does, is making the big save at the biggest time. The Bruins haven't trailed yet this season and the big reason for that is Danyluk. So far he has taken the ball and ran with it.

Dylan Smith was named to the Canada West Junior A Evaluation camp in BC next week. The Bruin players haven't had much luck with these camps. Brody Haygarth suffered a serious injury a couple years ago at this same camp.
Smith might have been the best Bruin up front so far this season, and offers a good blend of skill and strength. I think of all the 8 SJHL players that was named to the camp, he has to be among the top 3 considered. Even though if Smitty is named to the team he would be away from the Bruins for a week, there is no doubt I am rooting for the native of Big River to crack that team.

Just a note about that Junior A team, one time there was a player named Kyle Turris who played for Canada West..he would end being drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes with the 3rd overall pick..true story.

Part 2 of Talking With Narco

Part 2

Talking With Narco Part 1

In a couple of weeks we will be celebrating Don Narcisse Day on Aug.12. This past April I had the chance to talk to the future hall of famer.

Here is Part 1 of the interview.

Pics From Spectra Place

Some pictures from the newest arena in Estevan. Spectra Place is set to host its first Bruin Game on Jan. 2 of 2011

Comeback Reflection

Hard to believe its only been a week since the Riders completed the Canada Day Comeback. 54-51 may soon become the regular season equivalent of 43-40 (89 Grey Cup score). Like the Grey Cup, the Riders made a big comeback in the end to win the game.
Call me crazy but I had no doubt that the Riders would come back. Maybe I have seen too many movies, or maybe because its just the nature of the CFL. The Green and White machine just would not be stopped. But I think the reason is simply the Riders offence, when your number 6th receiver is Jason Clermont, you have depth. Its going to be hard for defences to slow down the Riders offence. On the D yes they did let up 51 points to Montreal, but this is a unit that will need some time to gel. I still like their LBs and their secondary and in time I think the ends will pick up their play. We may still be talking about Chick and Baggs, but hopefully in the end we are talking about this team getting a Grey Cup.
Its only Week 2, but the 100th season is off to a great start.

Turning Over A New Season

So summer has officially begun and hopefully the rain can go away. Everywhere in Saskatchewan, the last couple of months have been nothing but disastrous for any outdoor team. Weather forecasters are predicting a dry summer and some cooler than normal temperatures, but not as bad as last year. So hopefully this means that means the provincial baseball teams can get their games. Especially since it has been nothing short of a terrible season weather wise.

Of course they are predicting some heavy rain for the fall, but don't worry, its football season. Nothing can stop football, unless its lightning and thunder.

Football Talk

Finally some live football action. It maybe only the preseason, but it was still great to be back at Taylor Field to see the first glimpse of the 2010 edition of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Some highlights of the game.

- If there was any doubt that Ryan Dinwiddie would be the backup, they were silenced on Sunday. Dinwiddie went 13 for 19 with 2 touchdown passes and seemed to be in sync with the rest of the offense. I thought that the backup QB battle would be one of the most interesting battles in camp, but with Dinwiddie's strong game, the release of Todd Reesing and the play of Cole Berequist and Kent Smith there should be no doubt that if Darian Durant goes down with an injury it will be the ex Bomber who will coming in, to take over the helms.

- The Riders receiving core should be the best one in the league 1-6. Prechae Rodriguez looked like he will be a huge upgrade for Gerran Walker, Weston Dressler looks like he has fully recovered from his leg injury and Jason Clermont seems poised to rebound in 2010 after a sub-par year. While we may not see the numbers like he put up in BC, Clermont should be more of a factor in 2010. And I didnt even mention the Riders other 3 Canadian superstars.

- Barrin Simpson will make an huge impact this season. Possibly motivated after a forgettable year in Winnipeg, Simpson looked like he was shot out of cannon on Sunday. The defense lost 3 big members from last season, but Simpson's leadership could aid the loss of Eddie Davis, Stevie Baggs and John Chick.

The Riders finish the preseason in Calgary on Sunday.

Over Already?

As each we approach the final week of the hockey season, I find myself asking one question...How many days until it all begins again? Being a play by play announcer of a hockey team you have to find a way to love hockey to death or else your job is just hell. And there is no doubt I love hockey to death.

A big reason why I am excited is because the potential of the Bruins team next season in Estevan. With the acquisitions of Joel Danyluk, and Ben Findlay from La Ronge and Devon Mitzner from Dauphin the Bruins have the makings of possible championship club, which would be a nice debut for the rink that is set to open up in the new year here in Estevan.

I can't wait til July..at least then I have some football to watch.