LWOS INC About Contact Apply Openings Writing FAQ Ad Policy
Last Word On Sports Logo

Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Day: April 24, 2012

Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Big Night, Big Guests

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a dinner banquet put on by the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats in celebration of the accomplishments of various minor football teams in the area. Also honoured were the 2011 McMaster Marauders for their dramatic Vanier Cup victory over Laval Rouge et Or, in what some call “The Greatest Game Ever Played”. (See the article here: http://old.lastwordonsports.com/2011/11/29/the-greatest-game-ever-played/ )

The night began with a meet and greet in the lobby with many current and former Ti-Cats players. After some light fare and refreshments, we took our seats in the banquet room and awards were handed out. Meanwhile there was a silent auction with many great prizes, proceeds going to support minor football, allowing underprivileged kids the opportunity to play.

We were then introduced to the night’s guest and keynote speaker, TV personality and host of Off the Record, Michael Landsberg. Joining him on stage were the newly signed Henry Burris, Andy Fantuz, head coach George Cortez of the Ti-Cats and Stephan Ptaszek of the McMaster Marauders.

After some back and forth banter regarding such topics as the New Orleans Saints’ “bounty program” and the issue of fighting in hockey, Landsberg questioned WR Andy Fantuz.  When asked why he chose Hamilton, Fantuz alluded to the great fans, which was reciprocated by QB Henry Burris when the same question was asked of him.  Burris took it one step further by mentioning the atmosphere at Ivor Wynne when he has visited as an opponent.

The host also asked the other guests to ask a question of Fantuz.  The Marauders coach wanted to know who the best wide receiver he every played with was.  After some hesitation, he answered Roughriders WR Weston Drexler.  Burris asked him who he looked up to when he was younger, with the WR answering “Andre Rison was my favourite receiver growing up.”  Finally, his head coach, George Cortez, asked of him who the best Western Mustang (Fantuz’s alma mater) wide receiver was, to which he quickly answered that it was Dave Sapongis.

Also brought to the stage was Pete Dyakowski recently coined “Canada’s Smartest Person” by CBC.  After a few jabs back and forth, and some calls for aid to Ti-Cats Centre, Marwan Hage, the host had Dyakowski snap the ball to Burris, who delivered a spiral to Fantuz, waiting some 15 yards across the room.  Perhaps a sign of things to come. After a long off-season the fans are certainly getting ready to welcome back the Tiger-Cats.

In the closing remarks, it was announced that the Tiger-Cats are set to honour Willie Bethea and Bob Krouse on their Wall of Honour later this season.

What made the evening is how the Tiger-Cats have embraced the community, and how it in turn has embraced their Cats.  Also, a lot of money was raised for a very good cause, and that can never be a bad thing.

…and that is the last word.

Champions League Shocker: Barcelona Eliminated by Short-Handed Chelsea

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Chelsea has overcome all odds to advance to the Champions’ League Final following a stunning 2-2 draw (3-2 aggregate victory) at the Camp Nou.

The mighty Barcelona team that has been called one of the best club teams of all-time have been eliminated.

Things didn’t look good for Chelsea as they were down 2-0 and down to 10 men following a red card to John Terry in the 37′ minute. However a late first half goal by Ramires drew Chelsea level on aggregate and ahead on away goals at half time.

Still playing an entire half, leading merely on away goals, at the Camp Nou is no easy task, just ask Arsenal.  It seemed Barca would break through in the 49′ minute as they were awarded a penalty following a trip of Cesc Fabregas in the box by Didier Drogba.  Chelsea would survive though as Messi put one off the crossbar.

It would be another 40 minutes of furious defence by the Chelsea squad before Fernando Torres would give them the insurance goal in the 92nd minute and book Chelsea a trip to the Champions League Final.  Barcelona and their stars can only sit and watch.

This is a stunning result and we’ll have more for you later, including a special expose regarding pro-Barcelona officiating.

… and that is the last word.

NHL Draft Prospect Profile #19: Malcolm Subban

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Drafted 24th overall by the Boston Bruins.

Our top ranked goalie prospect for this June’s NHL draft clocks in at #19 overall in our rankings.  Malcolm Subban of the OHL’s Belleville Bulls is the brother of Montreal Canadiens’ defenceman P.K. Subban.  Malcolm has been the Belleville’s go to guy between the pipes, and has also been an important part of Team Canada playing in the 2011 and 2010 World U18 Tournaments and winnng a gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament.  Subban is also the second Belleville Bull in our rankings following Brendan Gaunce.

Goalie
Born Dec 21 1993 — Rexdale, ONT
Height 6.01 — Weight 190 — Shoots L — Catches L
Season Team GP Min GA SO GAA W L T Pct
2010-11 Belleville 32 1785 94 0 3.16 10 17 2 0.900
2011-12 Belleville 39 2258 94 3 2.50 25 14 0 0.923

Subban burst on to the scene with a flourish late in 2011, stealing the Belleville Bulls starting goaltender job for the playoffs and has never looked back.  While his Bulls were overmatched and unable to pull off an upset over the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Mississauga/St.Mike’s Majors, Subban was greatly praised for keeping the games closer than they should have been.

Subban is a tremendously athletic goalie.  He has fabulous reflexes, and is extremely agile.  He is particularly quick sliding post to post and is able to make some very nice saves on one timers as a result.  He is also extremely quick with his pads, and effectively uses his quick feet to put up a wall in the bottom half of the net.  Subban’s great skating ability allows him to come out of the net and challenge shooters, as he’s able to back up very quickly should they attempt to come in for a deke.  Subban is also very quick with his glove hand and blocker and effectively covers the top of the net as well.

Subban shows excellent technique in the net.  Subban is almost always square to the shooter and in position to make the first save.  His movements in the crease are controlled and smart.  This allows Subban to recover quickly and to get himself in position to make a second save.  It also ensures that he covers the maximum amount of net possible.

Unfortunately Subban has been hit by a number of nagging injuries this season including a high ankle sprain, and a pulled groin.  This hurt the Bulls as Subban has the ability to steal games and we’ve seen that his teammates are more confident with him between the pipes.  Subban excudes a calm demeanor that makes him a natural leader, and he rarely gets flustered, bouncing back quickly from goals against.

Like many young goalies, Subban does need to work on his rebound control, as he can sometimes have trouble with low shots.  However we don’t think this is a major issue.  Its definitely something that should improve with maturity, and we’ve heard that Malcolm possesses the same Subban family work ethic that helped PK transform himself from a draft prospect with defensive question marks, to a top pairing defensive defenceman in the NHL  We also think Subban could work on his handling the puck when he leaves the crease.

Subban projects as a future starting goalie in the NHL, however the team drafting him will need to be patient as it often takes goaltenders time to develop into effective pros.  We think that he will make some NHL team very pleased on draft day.  We know Habs fans would love to see him re-united with his brother in Montreal, however we don’t see him lasting until Montreal’s 2nd round pick (currently 33rd overall).  We believe Subban will be taken in the first round and will be the first goalie off the board.

… and thats the Last Word.

Champions League Preview: Can Chelsea and Bayern do the Unthinkable?

Posted on by Luciano Giuliano

amThe second leg of the Champions League semi-final come underway Tuesday and Wednesday as Chelsea travel to Spain to challenge Barcelona at the Camp Nou, while Real Madrid will take on German giants Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu in Madrid.

Barcelona – Chelsea (Agg. 0-1)

 Last time, Chelsea played an extremely sound defensive match against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge even though the Blues were under siege from the Blaugrana attack. It all comes down to the fixture at the Camp Nou where it is never easy to win, but still possible. Just ask Real Madrid – 2-1 winner of El Classico this past weekend. Barca again imposed their play on Los Blancos but could not score. It was the first time Guardiola’s men have lost at home in 55 matches.

This will be a very tough encounter for the Blues and the slim 1-0 score line is exactly that – slim. Barcelona will aim to get back on their feet as their desire to defend their crown is evident. The Spanish giants will be desperate to score, though, which may cause the defence to be vulnerable to counter attacks. Pep Guardiola has complete confidence that his men will make it to Munich for a second consecutive final stating “believe me, we will make it.” Bold words, but when you are the coach of the best team in the world, then it is easy to talk and back up your statement. Chelsea will need to play as a solid unit if they are to get past this round.

Real Madrid – Bayern Munich (Agg. 1-2)

 It took a last gasp Mario Gomez goal to down the Merengues at the Allianz Arena last week which shows the Jose Mourinho’s side knows not to ever give up. The Madrid giants are ecstatic and full of confidence after their 2-1 triumph in the Spanish derby over La Liga title rivals, Barcelona – a feat that Jose Mourinho has not been able to accomplish since his arrival in Madrid. Next on the menu for the Portuguese tactician is his 3rd Champions League final with a 3rd team.

This may be the less defensive game of the two as Bayern Munich will want to add to their tally with an away goal seeing that Ozil scored that crucial goal in Germany for Real. A 1-0 score line is enough for Madrid to make it through. However, the Germans will be tough to beat as they are keen on featuring in the final since it will be played in their home stadium.

The English and the Germans are currently in the running for the final, but do not count out the Spanish giants who have dominated European and International football in recent years. In 2003, the first-ever all Italian final took place at the Old Trafford in Manchester between Juventus and AC Milan. In 2008, the first-ever all English final took place in Moscow with Chelsea and Manchester United battling it out. Perhaps this year is the year of the all Spanish final – an El Classico in the Champions League final! What an historic event that would be between two of the world’s top clubs. We shall soon find out the outcome.

…and that’s the last word.