Straight Talk
Grey Cup, Vanier Cup, NHL
By Edward Zawadzki
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Without a doubt this year’s version of our annual football classic was one of the most fascinating and exciting football games I had seen in some time. After getting off to a first half defensive battle, which saw the Eskies take a 10-1 lead to the locker room, the second half exploded with a total of 45 points scored through regulation time with the teams tied 28-28. Becoming the very first Grey Cup to go into overtime since the 1961 classic. the Eskimos came out on top with an exciting and hard fought 38-35 victory. This game had everything that a fan would want in a ball game from great offence, defense and controversy. It goes to show you that our Canadian brand of football still has it over our American cousins brand by a long shot when it comes down to excitement value.
Those hockey fanatics, who are in an uproar over the public statements made by the IOC’s Dick Pound about drug use in the NH, seem to forget that a couple of years ago Sports Illustrated made just that allegation in an investigative piece that told of regular abuse of over the counter medications such as Sudafed, which contain amphetamine type performance enhancers by NHL players. What is also very interesting is that Toronto Sun sports writer Steve Buffery had written a feature piece on the hot subject several months before the SI story broke only to have the story mysteriously kyboshed before its release.
Congratulations to Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Curtis Joseph, who this season has proved his detractors wrong and has revived his career in the desert under the watchful eye of the great one himself, Wayne Gretzky. The 38-year-old Cujo has proven himself as once again one of the leagues’ most valuable backstops. Near the top in almost every one of the major categories, which measure a goalie’s success, Joseph at writing was sporting a miniscule 2.12 GAA and an impressive .932 save percentage. Wouldn’t it be fitting to see Curtis represent Canada as a member of the Olympic team in Turin later this winter?
Congratulations to up and comer pugilist Richard Reittie of Toronto’s Sully’s Gym for winning not only the 75 kg division championships at this year’s provincial championships, but also for being chosen as the prestigious tournament’s most valuable male fighter. Rettie, who is favored to win the national championships next year, could also be odds on favorite to be Olympic bound.
Speaking of the sweet science it seems that a number of Ontario gyms and trainers are upset with Boxing Ontario and its politics and have held meetings to drum up support to break from the officially sanctioned body, which falls under the rules and watchful eyes of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation. All of their talk and bravado aside, this project will come to no avail since without government recognition it’ll be impossible for them to purchase event insurance and have any of their bouts officially recognized.
Had a great dinner the other evening with none other than the infamous Leo ‘The Lip’ Cahill, in my humble opinion one of the finest coaches ever to ply his trade in the CFL.
Kept us entertained with some of the most colorful tales ranging from his childhood growing up in Illinois, his friendship back in the 70s with none other than the king himself, Elvis Presley and, of course his favorite subject, football. I am absolutely shocked that no one has invited him to make appearances on the sports and golf tournament speaking circuit. He is one of the greatest, most eloquent speakers around, plus with being funny as hell he would be a natural on the banquet circuit.
Congratulations to one of the great city of Hamilton’s favorite daughters Alena Sharp, who qualified a few days back for her first LPGA card. At a qualifying tournament, she shot a five-round total of 362 to finish 16th with the top 24 receiving the recognition to compete in golf’s most premier tourneys. The 24-year-old, who was a multi-time Ontario and Canadian champion is a graduate of New Mexico State, where she developed into one of the most touted players on the intercollegiate circuit.
My pick for the amateur athletes of the week are the Laurier Golden Hawks, who last week won their first Vanier Cup since 1990 by defeating the Saskatchewan Huskies 24-23 in one of the greatest classics ever played in the history of the Canadian collegiate championship. Unfortunately, one of the problems that plague the Vanier is the inability to draw both crowds and publicity. One of the best solutions would be to make the match up as part of the Grey Cup celebrations culminating with the game being played just prior to the pro championship.
Until
next time.
Edward Zawadzki is the sports editor for Canada Free Press. He can be reached at: cfp@canadafreepress.com
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