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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Day: April 18, 2012

CFL Approves Rule Changes

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

The Canadian Football League’s Board of Governors have announced that they have approved a rule change for the 2012 season.

Now, “Every scoring play…”, from the rouge to the touchdown, “will be subject to review”.

I’m definitely a proponent of using technology to assist in making games as fair as they can be, but have they crossed the line?  My problem is that I have a feeling this will only slow the game down further, making pauses and commercials longer. Wait, maybe that’s the point?  It seems every year in the 27 years I have had season tickets, the games are just a bit slower.  To be clear, I don’t mean they are played with less intensity.  I simply mean that the game is becoming very “technical”, and that usually means “slower”.

Maybe I’m jumping the gun? Perhaps it can work? Nah…

Now for two rule changes I DO like, which concerns player safety.  How many times did we see a player’s helmet fly off during a game?  I doubt that stat exists, but if it does I bet the number is ridiculously high, considering what can occur in that situation.  The CFL has amended its rules to include the following:

“If a ball carrier’s helmet comes off, the play will now be blown dead immediately. The line of scrimmage for the next play will be where the player’s helmet came off.”  Further;

“If a non-ball carrier’s helmet comes off, that player can no longer participate in the play. If he does, the player will be penalized 10 yards for illegal participation. If a player hits an opposing player who isn’t participating because he lost his helmet, he will be penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness.”

…and that is the last word.

The Build-up to the Kentucky Derby in Full Force!

Posted on by Dwayne Edwards

The first Saturday in May is quickly arriving.  It won’t be long before we see the garland of roses around the 2012 winner of the Kentucky Derby!

It seems as though there are a lot of favorites to win this year, but there is surely no heavy favourite. Arguments can be made for several horses, including my picks, which have changed over and over again as chalks get defeated and others rise to the occasion. This seems to be one of the best crop of three-year-olds in quite some time, and if one of these horses popped up to win the triple crown I would be very shocked. Dare I predict that all three Triple Crown races will have three different “top three” finishers.

Chances are the lowest odds in this race are going to be 4-1, and my guess is that Union Rags will be taking just a little more money than the rest. With his last performance only being a third in the Florida Derby, is that enough to consider him the top contender?  Perhaps.

Compared to a horse like Bodemeister who absolutely romped over the field in the Arkansas Derby beating his own stable mate by an incredible and increasing 9+ lengths. Now that’s what I like to see; a horse that improved from his last race, where he ran second to another top contender, Creative Cause.

Although narrowly beaten in the Santa Anita Derby this Creative Cause is definitely going to be hard to pass up in any bet. Whether you are betting to win, which he has a great shot at, he is certainly a player in any exactor, triactor, or superfecta. This horse proved he likes to run two-turns, ran third in the Breeders Cup and I personally believe he will be a contender come Derby day.

If this is the case how can you not include the horse that beat him in the SA Derby, I’ll Have Another? This horse is showing nothing but promise winning his last two races and bringing his jockey from Canada along for the ride. Mario Gutierrez will likely be riding in his first Kentucky Derby and you got to like his chances and his story!

Getting away from the west coast now, the Wood Memorial was a very good race with two more likely favorites for the derby finishing first and second. Gemologist looked as though he was going to get beat at the 1/8 pole as Alpha swooped up right beside him only to get turned away. Castellano had something left in the gas tank as Gemologist was earged on and responded as Alpha never got a nose in front. Can’t count out a repeat performance in the Derby from these two, every shot in the world for another 1-2 outing.

Now, the beautiful Hansen, yes he ran second in the Blue Grass, one of his two second-place finishes while winning all three of his other starts. The Blue Grass ran on the synthetic surface at Keenland was won by a horse proven to love that surface, Dullahan. After running second to the injured Algorithms in the Holy Bull, he then turned out a very impressive victory in the Gotham. Maybe after running second again the gorgeous grey is ready to bounce back and beat the best three-year olds in the land.

These are going to be the top choices come May 5th, but we all know this does not mean the only choices. Upsets are always happening, and some have their best performances in front of the largest crowds, while others crumble.

Other very fine athletes running with every chance to win are; Secret Circle; Mark Valeski; Rousing Sermon; Take Charge Indy; Daddy Nose Best; and definitely not to be forgotten about, Went the Day Well, who has the same prep races and the same jockey/trainer combo as last year’s winner of the Derby.

Well here it is, on the biggest stage, the mass amounts of money gambled on this race, I am going to place my small chump change wager in. I got dreams too, this tri could pay $50,000 or $500 but I am going with my top four picks, a $1 tri box Hansen, Gemologist, Alpha and Rousing Sermon.

…and that is the last word.

The Body Count Continues to Roll in as Torres is Suspended Indefinitely!

Posted on by Grant Alexander

And the cannon sounds again, as latest victim Marion Hossa is removed from the ice on a stretcher. All around the league superstars are dropping like flies, and surprise, surprise, it was another goon wielding the axe.  And his penalty?  The NHL has suspended Raffi Torres indefinitely, pending a hearing tomorrow afternoon (Friday).

Raffi Torres (the “axe man” in this case) is one of the dirtiest players in the league. He has been a dirty player for years, but it has only really come to light over the past two seasons where he’s had repeated incidents.  Here is a glimpse of his crimes:

– Hit to the head on Jordan Eberle on April 5th 2011, 4 game suspension

– Hit on Brent Seabrook on April 17th 2011, knocked him out for the series

– Elbow on Jan Hejda on Dec 29th 2011, $2500 fine

– Charge on Nate Prosser 2 on Dec 31st 2011, 2 game suspension

– Charge and hit to the head on Marian Hossa on April 17th 2012, TBA on Friday, April 20.

Surprisingly enough there was no penalty on the play in which Hossa was hit, but there is no doubt in my mind that he will face a hearing with the Head of Player Safety, Brendan Shanahan. Torres clearly took a running leap and targeted Hossa’s head. Hossa remains out indefinitely, having just been released from a Chicago area hospital. And that’s the real loss. And not just to the Chicago Blackhawks, but to the fans and to the game of hockey as well.

Losing a goon for X number of games, to take out an opposing superstar, is win-win. And the problem is there is no answer for it. You can suspend or even expel guys until the cows come home, but there will always be a plethora of two-bit thugs out there looking to make a buck, and possibly a name for themselves. The only real answer would be to punish the teams more severely to deter them from even carrying these types of players. Who would then be nothing more than walking liabilities.

What do you think a reasonable punishment would be?

-For every game that a player is suspended for that team will have to start by killing a 5-minute major?

-Very steep team fines for every game of suspension?

-The team has to play short one man on their bench for every player suspended?

…and that is the last word.

NHL Draft Prospect Profile #13: Brendan Gaunce

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Drafted 26th Overall by the Vancouver Canucks

Brendan Gaunce is our top ranked Canadian born forward prospect.  At #13 overall this really shows the lack of high end Canadian forwards available this year.  Gaunce is another big, two way centre playing in the OHL for the Belleville Bulls.  He is also a member of Team Canada’s entry in the U18 World Championships taking place right now in the Czech Republic.  Gaunce is the first of two Belleville Bulls rated in the first round, as he is joined by Malcolm Subban.

Center
Born Mar 25 1994 — Markham, ONT
Height 6.02 — Weight 205 — Shoots L

2010-11 Belleville Bulls OHL 65 11 25 36 40 -31 4 0 0 0 4
2011-12 Belleville Bulls OHL 68 28 40 68 68 4  6  1 2 3 2

Brendan Gaunce is the classic good old Canadian Boy hockey player.  He’s got great size and he is not afraid to use it.  He is extremely effective using his body in the offensive zone, winning board battles, getting to loose pucks, and scoring the points from the dirty areas of the ice.  Gaunce thrives in traffic, and combines his powerful physique with soft hands, good hockey sense and excellent passing ability to be a point per game player for the Belleville Bulls.  Gaunce is an extremely hardworking player and we’ve rarely seen this kid take a shift off.

Gaunce is also a very intelligent defensive player.  His coaches in Belleville use him in all situations, including when line matching against the opponent’s best players and on the penalty kill.  Gaunce uses his long reach to cut down on passing lanes and is not afraid to use his body to block shots.  He has good positioning and anticipation.  His size, strength and hard work also help him to win board battles in the defensive zone.

Gaunce has great intagibles, and in watching games it is obvious to us that Gaunce is a natural born leader. He wears the Alternate Captain’s “A” for the Belleville Bulls.  That shows the confidence his coaches have in him and the respect he has of management and teammates as it is very rare for a 17 year old CHLer to have a letter on his jersey.  Gaunce is also an Alternate Captain for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships.  Gaunce comes from a hockey family as his older brother Cameron Gaunce is a prospect with the Colorado Avalanche.

In terms of areas that could be improved, Gaunce could use some work on his skating.  His first step and acceleration definitely need a little work.  Gaunce however does possess decent top end speed when he has the opportunity to show it off.  However, his game is so full of stops and starts, battles on the boards, and puck possession in the offensive zone, improvements on that his first step, acceleration and agility will help Gaunce to be an offensive player at the next level.

In terms of a comparison and future projection, Gaunce reminds us of Ryan O’Reilly of the Colorado Avalanche.  We believe he has the potential to be a top 6 offensive contributor and to play effective shut down defence against the other team’s best players.  We even believe that if Gaunce can improve his quickness, he might be able to become a top line player, similar to a David Backes of the St. Louis Blues.

… and thats the Last Word.