CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Now that the world junior hockey tournament is over for Canada and all hopes for a junior version of the 1972 Russia-Canada series have vanished, it’s time to take a closer look at the fortunes of our two major hockey clubs.
The Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League have made a host of trades which strengthened the club for next season but has reduced this season’s offence, which makes them less of a threat to advance to the Memorial Cup playoffs in Halifax.
I do believe however, the Islanders are stronger defensively than a month ago, but unless they are adding a forward before Sunday’s trade freeze, or other players currently on the roster step up their game, chances for a long playoff run are not as great as last season.
The club could still swing another trade, hopefully for a veteran, high-scoring forward, or GM and head coach Jim Hulton might have a sleeper waiting in the wings. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
The surprising UPEI men’s Panthers stumbled out of the gate, losing to last-place Dal Tigers 3-2 in a shootout Wednesday in Halifax, but I wouldn’t get too worried about the result as they only gave up 14 shots on goal.
The Panthers played Friday here against Acadia Axemen and conclude a two-game home stand tonight at 7 p.m. versus arch-rival Saint Mary’s Huskies. The Panthers added rugged two-way forward Luke Kirwan, who scored 21 goals last season split between the Quebec Ramparts and Bair-Comeau, and his arrival gives the Panthers three top lines to go along with a much- improved defence and solid goaltending. A long playoff run is a real possibility.
Basketball
The Island Storm (2-8 before Friday’s home game with St. John’s) is in the midst of a slump and the road to recovery is a tough one with three games this week, the last Sunday afternoon in Sydney, N.S.
In its New Year’s Eve 94-85 loss to Moncton, the Storm played well enough defensively but their shooting was terrible at 23 per cent from three-point land and 30 per cent from in-close. You can’t win with numbers like that.
The Storm lost 128-127 Thursday in Sydney and played without the No. 2 scorer in the league, Sampson Carter. Russell Byrd, who is scoring at 20-plus per game and amongst the league leaders in rebounds, bagged 26 points in the loss but his 38 minutes played per game suggests his tank is empty and running on fumes most nights.
The Storm has not been getting much scoring off the bench during the losing streak but Tirrell Baines, who has played well, notched 16 Thursday, Robbie Robinson had his best game as a pro with 23 points and Dominic Shuler had 11 points.
I am told big Carl Hall is having problems getting out of his Mexico contract, and without Hall and Carter, the Storm are overmatched in the size department. In basketball, size matters.
Harness racing
Live harness racing continues today at 12:30 p.m. at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park with a 13-dash card. The $2,400 top class has Rollwithitharry and Euchred on the outside posts with Tempo Seelster, Eagle Jolt, Red Magician and Winter Blast from the rail out.
There’s also the $2,300 open mares with the likes of Malabrigo, Dusty Lane Zendaya, Drivingthedragon, Dusty Lane Missmolly and Collective Wisdom.
London’s Western Fair Raceway, the second biggest track in Canada, is in a fight with its Casino masters over rent and the Casino operators have purchased land elsewhere threatening the track’s operation. Farm owners and horsemen are working with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who resurrected Sarnia, Peterborough and Fort Erie plus stabilized the quarter-horse track in Ajax, for his support.
At Mohawk tonight, Bettim Jackie and Royaltywestho are both in to go. At Flamboro Sunday, the $11,500 feature has Lincoln James (Anthony MacDonald) on the outside with Rose Run Quest (Jason Ryan) from Post 3 in a tough five-horse field.
Pigskin picks
The NFL playoffs start today with a double-header and a pair of games Sunday with the four winners moving on down the Super Bowl trail. Let’s take a closer look:
Today
Indianapolis Colts (10-6) at Houston Texans (11-5) – The Colts have a terrific QB in Andrew Luck and the offensive line is doing a nice job in protection while the Texans are not great on the pass rush with the exception of J.J. Watt. The Colts will give Luck time to find an open receiver against a just fair Texan secondary. Colts by three points.
Seattle Seahawks (10-6) at Dallas Cowboys (10-6) – Here’s two evenly matched teams, who are extremely tough at home and not so great on the road. The Cowboys lost to Seattle earlier in the season before Dallas traded for Amari Cooper, the explosive receiver who has opened up the Dallas offence. Seattle’s QB Russell Wilson is a master at escaping the pocket but he’s against a fast and vastly improved Dallas linebacking corps led by rookie Leighton Vander Esch, who will give Wilson fits. Cowboys by field goal.
Sunday
LA Chargers (12-4) at Baltimore Ravens (10-6) – The Ravens smothered the Chargers and QB Phil Rivers three weeks ago and they’ll do it again at home. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has been outstanding and, if he stays healthy, the Ravens could win the conference. Take the Ravens by a touchdown.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) at Chicago Bears (12-4) – The Eagles have been red hot down the stretch with QB Nick Foles but the Bears are at home and young QB Matt Trubisky has been quietly getting better every game. Chicago is home at Soldiers Field and its defence will be the difference, so take the Bears by a TD.
Fred MacDonald's column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at fiddlersfacts@hotmail.com.
