Friday, October 26, 2012
Hockey-Southern Style 2012
You can only keep a good man, or a
good woman, out of a hockey rink for so long. For that matter, bad people count
as well. Once we settled into the southern life style here in Fort Myers, we
scouted the possibilities of upcoming games of the Florida Everblades.
They began the season with six games
against a new team in the league, the Orlando Solar Bears. It is a revived
franchise. Almost fifteen years ago, I watched a Solar Bears game, and Alan
Bester was in the Bears’ net. He got shelled, and pulled himself before the end
of the second period. I waited to speak to him after the game. I think he was
showered, dressed, and on the road before the third period began.
Also that evening, far up in the
stands, sitting all by himself, was a keen hockey observer who also knew a
little about the game: Bobby Orr. I introduced my sons, and myself to him, and
told him one of my favourite Dukes was Doug Orr, his nephew. Perfectly
understandable.
At last Wednesday’s game at the
Germain Arena, old eagle eyes spotted another hockey legend in the last row, on
a scouting mission: Scotty Bowman! These guys never quit. Always on a bird dog
mission to find that certain individual who might have been a late bloomer.,
and an important piece of the hockey puzzle.
The Everblades are celebrating their
fifteenth season in the ECHL. Team President Craig Brush sits in the corner of
the rink, keeping a close eye on his team. He is a transplanted Canadian, from
the Toronto area who played his shinny at Cornell several years ago. They are also
celebrating their Championship Season last year when they won the Kelly Cup,
for the first time.
Dylan Clarke-South Carolina Stingrays
The Everblades were playing against
the South Carolina Sting Rays, a team they faced 13 times last year. Listed on
the Sting Rays roster is # 48 Dylan Clarke. Dylan hails from Belleville, had a
cup of coffee with the Wellington Dukes, and spent the rest of his OPJHL time
with the Kingston Voyageurs. “I was traded to the Voyageurs for Sean Turner,
and a little cash,” he told me at the game. Unfortunately, at this point in the
season, Dylan, along with a few teammates, including Tyler Johnson, is sitting
out a few games.
Tyler Johnson and Dylan Clarke
This inactivity comes directly from
the NHL lockout. Players who would be skating in the NHL have been sent down to
the American Hockey League. The Stingrays are affiliated with the Providence
Bruins of the AHL, and the parent team is in Boston. As a result, players who
would normally skate for Providence have been shipped to the Stingrays, and
players like Clarke get the short end of the stick, for the time being.
Clarke spent his minor hockey days in
the Quinte area under the tutelage of local hockey coaches including his father,
Robert “Buzz” Clarke. He attended Georges Vanier School, and St. Theresa’s
Secondary School in Belleville. He began his junior hockey career in Napanee,
moving up from the Bantam ranks. He spent three years with the Voyageurs, two
as captain, and caught the eye of several American College coaches. He decided
on the State University of New York in Plattsburgh, and spent four very
productive years there, earning his degree.
He also had an opportunity to renew
acquaintances with a few former Dukes who had chosen to play in Oswego. “We had
a great rivalry with that team. All of a sudden, I was facing Peter Magagna,
Josh Chamberlain, Tyler Lyons, Jared Anderson, and Joe Hall,” he added,
smiling. “Same old guys, same intensity!”
Dylan believes that he and Rusty
Masters are the only players from his minor hockey days still “living the
dream”. Masters also played three years in the OPJHL with Port Hope and
Trenton. He is currently with the Rapid City Rush of the Central Hockey League.
Clarke told me that he likes his
chances of upward mobility better in the ECHL. “There is more opportunity to
get called up from here.” He played for the Tulsa Oilers in the CHL last year.
He is well aware of the opportunity to see the world as a hockey player, as his
brother Dale, also a former Duke, has played for a dozen teams in the last 12
years, including a stint with the St. Louis Blues.
He sent his best to his many hockey
friends in the Quinte area. He enjoyed watching his teammate Daniel Koger score
as the fifth player in the shootout to give the Sting Rays the victory.
James Hurst
Sportslices.blogspot.com
October 26, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Smoke and Mirrors-Hockey 2012
I had a few minutes to kill last night. I poked my nose into
a computer report on the labour situation in the National Hockey League.
Remember? The hockey league that plays all of its games in North America, with
the best players in the world? Yes, that’s the one.
At any rate, I listened to a 25 minute dissertation and
interview with Donald Fehr, the labour expert who has taken on the role as the
main spokesperson for the players. In the other corner is Gary Bettman, the person
who represents the owners. Two organizations, two adversaries.
They are trying to divide a big money pie so that each group
is happy. Most of the time they meet in hotel rooms, and emerge in front of a
bank of microphones to indicate that they have been talking. Occasionally, one
or the other sends a blurb to the media, outlining a firm position.
In this negotiation game of give and take, we know that
nothing is completely firm. Each group has given us many different sets of
numbers, and many different scenarios. The hockey fan cannot begin to digest
the significance of the “offers”. The suggestions are all written in
“legalese”, and are not for public consumption.
There are several media types vitally interested in these
proceedings. They cover every word, every rumour, every possible leak in the
discussions. Some of these types even think that they have the solution to the
problem. Most of them predict exactly what is going to happen. Some even go so
far as to give dates and times that the games will begin.
Last week we were informed that the Zambonis were warming up
their engines in anticipation of the dropping of the puck. They may have
dropped the puck somewhere. Most of us did not hear it.
The time has come for all of the parties concerned to pay some
attention to the offended: the fans. In this case, I am referring to the fans
who sit in the upper regions of the arena. The rinkside seats are not the
hockey fans who really care. They do not even pay for their seats out of their
own pockets.
Those are corporate regions, paid for by giant corporations.
In turn, they are used to keep their corporate clients happy, with food and
drink to boot in the nether regions of the building. They are also scattered
around the upper areas of all new arenas, and are called “corporate boxes”. The
spectator in these areas is so far removed from the ice surface that they
cannot “feel” the game.
In the old rinks, prior to the days of plexiglass, and
netting, and all variety of safety features, fans in the front row were often
greeted with a player or two on their laps, after a particularly good body
check. A couple of shoves returned the offended party back to the ice. We paid
attention during the game, ready to shield our faces from flying pucks. We
could hear the pucks on the sticks, the grinding of the ice from the skates.
Some new arenas have microphones installed at ice level so
that the fans in the corporate boxes can “experience” the nature of the game.
“These nachos are delicious! And the dip? Find me the recipe!”
In the long run, the corporations control much of the
activity. They pay the fees to advertise on the television networks that carry
the games. They help build the arenas, and maintain them. They have the boxes.
But they also have the tax advantages to go with this activity. It is part of
normal business activity. Much of it is “written off”, to the disadvantage of
the fan in Section 514, Row 18, Seat 12. He has paid a scalper double the price
for his once-a-year opportunity to take his kid to the rink.
The powers that be need to take all of their proposals into
a big room. We will lock the doors, and send in nourishment when required. Maybe
a case of whiskey to keep the fires burning. Camp cots along the walls. No one
gets out until all of the details have been ironed out. Let Gary and Donald
emerge, arm in arm, shouting, “We did it!”
Get it done, gentlemen.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Yankees and Tigers-2012
The New York Yankees stormed into the 2012 playoffs this
year sporting the best record in the second half of the season. They knocked
the cover off the ball, slamming more home runs than any other team in
baseball. More than 50% of their runs came as a result of round-trippers.
Defense was solid. They put together a trade package to entice the Seattle
Mariners to trade Ichiro.
Turn out the lights, baby. The party’s…..well, it was almost
over.
They tripped, stumbled, and almost fell during the
divisional playoffs. Ichiro and a very unlikely hero, Raul Ibanez, hit home
runs to save the Yankee bacon. Ibanez had to emerge from the dugout on more
than one occasion to acknowledge the cheers of the faithful at The Stadium.
Unfortunately for the Bronx Bombers, the momentum
established during the regular season has been lost. Against the Detroit Tigers
in the Championship Series for the pennant, there is nothing but gloom and
doom. The Tigers are digging in at the plate, led by Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.
The usually reliable Robinson Cano has fallen from grace. He
has gone hitless in his last 26 trips to the plate, a playoff record.
The Tigers’ Omar Infante was on first base in the eighth
inning. He ran to second on Austin Jackson’s single, and rounded the base. He was
gunned down trying to return to second base. The second base umpire was not in
a position to make the correct call, and repented after the game. After
watching the video, Jeff Nelson realized his error.
The Yankee skipper, Joe Girardi, argued the call. He had the
advantage over Nelson, because he had quick access to the replay. Nick
Swisher’s throw from right field was on the money, and Cano had clearly tagged
the runner before the base was touched.
After the game, Girardi commented about the play: “It’s hard
to let it go when it changes the complexity of the game.” The Yankees did lose,
but only 3-0. The previous evening, they trailed 4-0 heading to bat in the
bottom of the ninth inning. In the back of Girardi’s mind, a 3-0 Tiger lead was
not insurmountable. But he knew that the call would not be changed, no matter
how convincing his argument might be. After the game, he continued, “It’s got
to change. There’s just too much at stake. The technology is available.”
The Yankees squandered another quality start from one of
their pitchers. They have four good arms in their starting rotation: Phil
Hughes, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettite, and their ace, C. C. Sabathia. The Tigers
more than adequately match with their ace, Justin Verlander, and his supporting
chuckers: Sanchez, Fister, and Scherzer.
The Yankees are batting a collective .192 against the Tigers
in the first two games. They have struck out 20 times, and have few walks. Nick
Swisher is batting .154. Alex Rodrigeuz, often ridiculed by the faithful in New
York, knows what’s at stake. “We have to find a way.”
Undoubtedly the biggest blow for the Yankees is the loss of
team leader and captain Derek Jeter. In a rather simple play, which he has made
hundreds of times over the years, he twisted his ankle fielding a ground ball.
As he finished the play, he winced in pain. He will likely miss the rest of the
playoffs, and may go under the knife this week. The Yankees will miss all of
the things that Jeter takes to the ball park every single day: his
determination, his love of the game, his skill, his leadership. Even “ A Rod”
managed to describe the loss in his own humble way: “It would be more pleasant
if it never happened”.
Tiger faithful already have visions of World Series triumphs
of the past dancing in their heads. You can almost hear the muffled sounds of
Cadillacs from Motor City preparing for the parade. Even Manager Jim Leyland
knows, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!”
James Hurst
Sportslices.blogspot.com
October 15, 2012
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Grey Cup 2012
This year’s Grey Cup
game will be played in Toronto
But the game will be
played on that date, and there are thousands of people around the country
preparing the stage. This is, after all, a special year, as the Canadian
Football League celebrates the 100th Grey Cup Game.
There are Grey Cup
celebrations in full swing across the country. The actual trophy was in Newfoundland
The Cup will be at
the RONA store in Belleville Windsor
He has dubbed his
celebration as an “Argo Tailgate Party”, and he will be at the event preparing
your pancakes and sausages. There will be Tim Hortons coffee available at the
event, and a group from the United
Way
Canada Post has also
become involved in the celebration, in a major way. There are stamps featuring
the trophy itself, one of the oldest trophies in North American professional
sport. There are also stamps dedicated to each of the eight teams in the
league.
The Argo stamp
features a portrait of Mike “Pinball” Clemons, arguably one of the best ever to
don the double blue uniform. He has been inducted into the Canadian Football
Hall of Fame, and is a great asset to the game. Following his retirement, he
remained with the Argos Rogers
Canada Post also has
many other items on sale to promote the game: First Day covers, coin and stamp
sets, pens, coil dispensers, greeting cards, and framed prints. There is a
limited edition, signed print set for the true Argo fan for $ 179.95.
The Canadian Mint has
also produced a sparkling one dollar coin to commemorate the event. They are
available at most post offices, but the supply is limited. For those of you who
live in Wellington
The celebration in Toronto Lawrence
Friday night’s
celebrants include the Sam Roberts Band, Matthew Good, Kim Mitchell, and Treble
Charger. Saturday’s feature band is Big Sugar. April Wine and Miles Goodwyn
will open for Sam Roberts.
On Sunday, the
Pre-Game Party concert will help prepare you for the game. Burton Cummings will
belt out some Guess Who tunes, with Kathleen Edwards on hand to get things under way.
“Pinball” is slated to deliver a rallying speech before the game. By that stage
of the game, you will be pumped!
The B.C. Lions are
cruising along with a 10-4 record at this time. The Argos
October 9, 2012
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Paul Rosebush
Paul Douglas Rosebush
Paul Rosebush was
born in Prince Edward County on July 5, 1975. He attended Pinecrest
School in Bloomfield ,
and C. M.
L. Snider
School in Wellington
Paul Rosebush is a
product of the Prince Edward County Minor Hockey System. He moved on to play
successfully for the Wellington University of Guelph Canadian University World University Bakersfield
Rosebush
won three
Debra Faye Roblin
Faye Roblin was born
in Picton, Ontario Sophiasburgh
Central School
in Prince Edward County
She was awarded Ontario Venezuela Bay of Quinte and Central Ontario
Championships with throws that remain records to this day. She won the Ontario
She attended California State
University in Fresno Canada
at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland
She currently resides
in The County with her husband, Jeroen Verhoog.
Sam Mulholland
Samuel Charles Mulholland
A County resident for
more than fifty years, “Sam” Mulholland was born in Kingston , Ontario Kingston
In 1945, he played
for the Kingston Victorias Philadelphia
Sam was also an
outstanding softball and baseball player, and was invited to attend the
Brooklyn Dodger camp in Vero Beach Kingston
In 1953 he moved to Prince Edward
County Ontario
Earl Marvin
August Earl Marvin
Earl Marvin was born
in Hancock, Minnesota Prince
Edward County Hillier Township Great
Lakes , and earned his engineer’s papers.
In 1938, he became
Chief Constable of Wellington
Marvin began trap
shooting in 1957. He entered his first major competition in 1967, winning nine
trophies. He also received a Dominion of Canada Ontario Vancouver Ontario Provincial Trap Shoot Association veterans’
doubles trophy in 1979 in Hamilton
He died on December
30, 1989, in St. Catharines ,
Ontario
Keith Macdonald
Keith MacDonald
Keith MacDonald was
born in Prince Edward Country on July 18, 1927. He attended West Lake School in The County, then attended Albert College
in Belleville
He gained his love of
sport from his father, and excelled in many different athletic areas. In the
early 1940s, he won the tennis championship at Albert; however, Keith is to be
recognized for his prowess on the baseball diamond, and in the hockey arena.
As a member of the Belleville McFarlands, Keith won the World Championship of
hockey in 1959 in Prague , Czechoslovakia Kelowna ,
British Columbia Belleville
In the summer,
MacDonald played on several fastball and baseball teams in The County, and in Belleville Bloomfield Belleville Batas, winning the
All Ontario
Always a fierce
competitor, Keith MacDonald was a valued member of every team he played for,
and an important member of the community in Prince Edward
County
Garry Lavender
Garry Gordon Lavender
Born in Picton on
June 4th, 1946, Garry Lavender was a lifelong resident of Prince Edward
County C. M. L. Snider School in Wellington University of Toronto
Garry, along with his
brothers Tom, Bob, and Paul, formed the nucleus of several sports teams in The
County. They won the All Ontario
In 1964, Garry won
the All Ontario Wellington
Garry spent hours in
the rinks and on the fields as a referee, manager, convenor, organizer, and
executive with many teams. He refereed lacrosse for five years in The County
and in Napanee. Under Garry’s leadership, the Wellington
Dukes represented Eastern Canada at the Royal Bank Cup in Charlottetown , Prince Edward Island
Garry always had time
for a game of golf, and won the Barclay Trophy in 1974, and the Jenkin Evans
Award in 1975 at the Picton Golf Club.
After his death, he
was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award for his dedicated service to the
community.
Monday, October 01, 2012
Don't Poke The Bear!
The Toronto
Blue Jays completed a four game series against the New York
It has been a
frustrating season for all concerned in the Blue Jay organization. They have
been plagued by injuries. As a result, they have used more players this season
than ever before. Several players have not lived up to their potential. Then
again, that is always the case when you just don’t win. There has been a spot
of controversy, here and there. The end result? No World Series rings this
year.
The game on Sunday
had all the earmarks of a fine outing for thousands of fans. The first 20 000
fans who entered the Rogers
I was also greeted by
half a dozen musicians playing “Take me out to the ballgame” in the rotunda
inside the stadium. Nice homey feeling, enhancing the experience.
The game itself?
Mostly forgettable for Blue Jay fans. They built up a 5-1 lead, then watched it
vanish as the Yankees woke up and scored at will, winning the game 9-6. The Bronx Bombers
scratched and clawed their way to victory. They did get one home run
from Eric Chavez in the third inning, but that was their lone run until the
floodgates opened in the late innings.
They won with singles
and doubles, sacrifice hits, and good defensive play. In the third inning,
Ichiro Suzuki chased a ball hit by Edwin Encarnacion far into the corner of the
right field. Ichiro will be thirty-nine years old this month. He shows no sign
of ageing, as he again demonstrated that he is one of the greatest baseball
players of all time. He snagged that ball, and was pounded by his team mates
when he got to the dugout.
Last year, for the
first time in his major league career, he was not an all star, nor did he win a
Gold Glove as a premier fielder. But for the ten previous seasons, that is what
he did. No other player in the history of the game has ever achieved that
success, from his rookie season onward. He accomplished this after nine seasons
with Orix in the Japanese league. The Yankees picked him up in July. Talk about
the rich getting richer!
Derek Jeter ended the
game with three hits, adding to his impressive lifetime totals. It is a joy to
watch him play. Sure, he has lost a step or two chasing down ground balls. But
he is still a premier ball player, and I am certain he will enjoy yet another
season of post-season play.
The Blue Jays’
shortstop, Yunel Escobar, is winding down his sixth season at the Major League
level. I am continuously impressed with his skills in the field. At second
base, a fellow Cuban, Adeiny Hechavarria, is also brilliant. The Jays would be
wise to lock up both of those players with extensive contracts. Strength up the
middle has always been critical to the success of any baseball team.
In his post game
session with the media, Manager John Farrell tried to put a positive spin on a
difficult season. He said that his starting pitcher, Henderson Alvarez, will go
into the off season with plenty of confidence. He started the season well,
struggled in the middle, and finished strongly.
Before you know it,
they will be stretching in Dunedin
