Godspeed Canada!!!

Nothing of note to report today locally here in Vancouver. Overall a slow news day so we'll breakdown a busy day tomorrow.

Canada vs USA

Time to bring back the old "Hate the Americans" rhetoric as the Canadian Juniors prepare to take on Team USA tomorrow at the Coliseum. The Americans are coming off a disappointing tie vs Switzerland tonight 2-2. Key for Canada will be stellar Goaltending from Pogge and physical play on their forwards. The Americans have more skill and speed but if Canada can keep the play along the boards, they can keep the Americans off the open ice.


I predict a low scoring grind it out game with USA winning 2-1. The Americans are pissed at the tie and will be looking for revenge tomorrow, quote from Team USA's Robbie Shrempf,

"It's always good to have some adversity when you go into a huge game like against Canada, I think we're ready for tomorrow."

Hit the Road, Jack!!!

The Canucks start off their first of 4 straight road games tomorrow night in Minnesota. That's just the start of a brutal schedule in the month of January where the Canucks will play a whopping 12 on the road and just 4 at GM Place. With their recent troubles at GM Place, maybe that's a good thing. As for the Wild, they are coming off a loss to Calgary, but come into this game 6-3 in their last 9 with wins over Edmonton, Colorado, and Dallas. The Wild always play the Canucks tough and the Excel Center has proven to be a tough place for the visiting team. I really wonder how long Auld can stick it out night after night. He's a good backstop, but does he have the stamina to play another 30+ games?? Cloutier didn't (often got injured late in the season), in fact, other than Brodeur, most NHL goalies don't either. So as it stands, we are still waiting for Nonis to make a move. The 64,000 dollar question is, how much further down the standings do the Canucks need to fall before Nonis decides a move has to be made?? Do it already, we've got games to win here. I say the Canucks fall 3-2, a late 3rd period goal seals the deal.

Rose Bowl, does Texas really stand a chance??

The BCS Championship will be the Rose Bowl this year with #1 USC vs #2 Texas. The Longhorns are currently 7.5 point underdogs with all the attention on the potent USC offense with the likes of RB Reggie Bush and QB Matt Leinhart. ESPN breaks down the unheralded Texas offense that has arguably been equal to what USC has been able to do. I think Vince Young and the rest of the Longhorns have a chance to do the unthinkable and beat USC, and here's how. The Longhorns need to use up clock and get an early lead. Take Reggie Bush out of the game and force Leinhart to gamble. Much easier said than done, but Notre Dame almost did it back in Oct losing on the last play of the game. And Texas has way more talent than Notre Dame. On another note, USC Head Coach Pete Carroll signs a fat extension to stay at Troy, terms not disclosed. Carroll has worked a small miracle turning around the school from medocrity to total domination winning 34 straight games going into next Wednesday's Rose Bowl.

Who will take him??

The much maligned Ron Artest who requested a trade from the Pacers, then later backed out of his trade demand and said he wants to be a Pacer has finally gotten to his teammates who basically told him to f**k off. Question is who will take the head case?? Artest is like some kind of mentally retarded version of Terrell Owens. I think a banishment to the Clippers or Golden State Warriors is in order, better yet, how about the CBA. Here are some of my favorite all-time Artest quotes,


"I'm playing like a frog. I've got web hands." -- Ron Artest.

"I've never taken medication (to control moods) in my life. Doctors have suggested it and I say, 'OK, give it to me.' But I throw it in the garbage immediately." -- Ron Ron.

"I didn't hold up no middle fingers. My middle finger is crooked so it sticks out. Maybe that's what was showing." -- Ron Artest.

"If I had a player out of line, I would bench him. That's all you can do, bench him. You don't kiss nobody's rear end, because it stinks." -- Ron Artest.

What's on TV
World Junior Hockey, USA vs Canada, 4:00pm PST on TSN
NHL, Vancouver vs Minnesota, 3:00pm PST on PPV
NHL, Edmonton vs Calgary, 7:00pm PST on CBC
NFL, Denver vs San Diego, 1:30pm PST on CBS
NBA, Phoenix vs Chicago, 4:00pm PST on Sportsnet Pacific

Picks of the Day
Toronto Maple Leafs +110 over NJ Devils
Oakland +8 over NY Giants
Record YTD (1-7, -728)