Sunday Stuff

- Just watched Canada punch their ticket to a 9th consecutive gold medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championships, and they're hoping to win it for a 6th time, after beating Switzerland 6-1 in today's Semi-Final. The Swedes play the States in the other semi at 8:00 tonight (SUN). I'm with the Mils in Weyburn on Tuesday, which means... no Gold Medal game for this guy. Thank you TSN.ca! Thank you laptop! Don't worry, I'll watch the Mils and Wings DURING the play!

- During last night's shocking Switzerland win over Russia... TSN's James Duthie said, 'These fans know (Swiss forward) Nino Niederetter well, he plays for the Portland Winterhawks."... as if the Blades and Hawks are divisional rivals or something... and of course they meet all of once a year, and once every two years IN Saskatoon. I love James Duthie, probably my favourite sports guy on TV... but just goes to show the boys in Toronto are a little out of touch with the "Western World."

- During the second intermission of Canada's game, I finished reading Theoren Fleury's book, which I got for Christmas. It was one of those "couldn't put down" books... and while I always hear people say they "read a book in one sitting"... well, I read it in 9 days... probably an all-time record for myself, at least with a book thicker than the Bearenstain Bears. I wouldn't recommend it for young readers, but I found it cool how he talked like he'd talk in person, basically talked like a hockey player! Lots of F bombs, etc... and he doesn't cut corners on details about life on the road in the NHL, booze, drugs, and the abuse from Graham James in Moose Jaw. On the surface it's easy for the casual fan to beat up Fleury, call him a druggie, etc, but the guy was through a lot, and he's a changed person now, which is good to hear. Also learned his wife is from Bredenbury, a stone's throw from his hometown of Russell, MB... pretty much right between Russell and Yorkton.

- Team West lost 4-2 to Team Atlantic today at the World Under-17's in Timmins, ON. That was the 7th place game, which means West came in 8th at the 10 team event, obviously not near their 4th place showing from a year ago, when they lost the Bronze Medal game by a goal. This also means Coach Jamie Fiesel (Melville), Goalie Zach Rakochy (Melville), Defenseman Evan Morden (Swan Valley) and Forward Jens Meilleur (Wayway) will return to their club teams this week.

- Yorkton product and Yorkton Harvest defenseman Davis Vandane suited up for the Saskatoon Blades in his first WHL action last night (SAT), in a 6-5 OT win in Portland. He's also in the lineup tonight in Tri-City. The Blades recently listed him, likely saw Vandane at the Mac's. Great for him.... maybe bad news for the Terriers, who likely had the 17 year old pencilled into their lineup for next year. He's a big kid with a huge shot from the point. Fellow Harvest defenseman 15 year old Damon Severson's also back up in the 'dub with the Kelowna Rockets. He's playing in Vancouver tonight, and is expected to get his maximum of 5 games played in the WHL as a 15 year old. After five games, because of his age, Severson can't play any more games in the Western League until the Harvest season is done.

- The La Ronge Ice Wolves got 20 year olds D Colton MacPherson and F Liam Brennan from the Estevan Bruins today. So the Wolves now have Dustin Stevenson, Mike Alexander, and Colton MacPherson on the blueline, all 20 year old studs. This team just keeps looking more and more "playoff-ready"... and once former Millionaire Aaron Decorby is healthy and playing, they'll be scoring more too.

- Trade deadline day is a week from today (Sunday, Jan/10). I always try to hype it up, but it can be a little anti-climatic. I've got a feeling most of the bigger deals are already done. If Estevan continues to unload, you've gotta think F Chad Filteau's the big fish and the next one to go. Outside of the Bruins, I can't see anyone else selling the farm. Nipawin's clawed themselves right back into the thick of things... but do have a handful of 20 year olds of value if they want to keep getting younger (F Skagen, F Leclerc, G Kerpan).

- As far as MJHLers, I'm curious to see what the Wayway Wolverines are going to do. They're young, but 20 year old forwards Niko Grose and Ryan Regal should be drawing some interest... as it appears the Wolverines' run of 3 consecutive years in the playoffs will come to an end. As they're broadcaster I hate to say that in early January, but at 9-29-0-1, with all 5 other Sherwood teams above .500 and showing no signs of slipping, I wouldn't doubt their vets are being shopped around. If the season ended today the Wolverines would have the first overall pick in the 2010 MJHL Draft.

- I wish I'd invented either hand sanitizer or hands-free cellular devices. Random, I know... but everyone's using them both now.