CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The UPEI puck Panthers weren’t expected to be major player in the tough Atlantic University Sport men’s loop but after last week’s surprising road trip into Nova Scotia, those that closely follow the university ranks may have to revise their forecast.
Last weekend, the Panthers dumped previously unbeaten Saint Mary’s in Halifax and the next night trounced Acadia in Wolfville to complete the weekend road sweep, something that Panther teams have not done in a long, long while.
In the upset of Saint Mary’s, goaltender Simon Hofley was the difference, stopping 41 shots while Kameron Kielly notched the winner. Beau McCue posted a hat trick against Acadia while defenceman Doug Blaisdell added three assists and appears to have solidified a blue-line brigade that is holding its own.
Hard-working and fast-skating Gabe Guertler, who always gives a great effort, is off to a fast start with eight points before Friday’s game while linemate Sam Aulie had seven points. The Panthers played Saint Mary’s Friday and host Acadia, with Islander Kris MacDonald as an assistant coach, tonight at 7 p.m.
Another Charlottetown-based club, the Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, played Friday against Saint John and are in the Port City against the Sea Dogs on Sunday.
On the NHL front, analyst Doug MacLean is frequently back on P.E.I., usually meeting with ex-Columbus play-by-play man George Matthews. MacLean is rumoured to be in the running for either GM or head coach of the new Seattle franchise and I’m told he’d like to get back into the coaching ranks.
Baseball
The Boston Red Sox look like the best team in baseball and long-serving Boston fan Dr. Bobby Lund, president of the P.E.I. Red Sox fan club, told me I’m invited to his Boston World Series party.
Boson took the first two games at Fenway Park and Friday played the first of three in Los Angeles. If you’re a betting man, you may want to know 31 of the last 38 World Series teams that have won the first two games at home have gone on to win the championship.
The Red Sox are getting great pitching, timely hitting and providing fans with sensational outfield defence, the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Mookie Betts looks like a lock for MVP honours and is possibly the best all-around player in the game. The Dodgers have an explosive club but Boston’s shutdown relievers especially Joe Kelly, Nathan Eovaldi and Craig Kimbrel have silenced LA’s bats. By the way, Bobby, I will not be available for your World Series party.
Photos
I have been working on a couple of projects of my own, I am polishing up right now and the other is part-way completed. I am looking for help in securing pictures of popular Charlottetown hangouts for the sporting crowd, like Johnnys Mayfair, Fred Lambrose store on the corner of Kent and Great George streets, The Old Spain, the 1957 Queen Square School and Queen Charlotte rugby teams for starters. If you have those please contact me at [email protected] or at 675-3796.
Harness racing
Live harness racing continues today at 12:30 p.m. at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park with a star-packed 14-dash card, which includes five lucrative Island Breeders championship events.
Sensational three-year-old Sock It Away and flashy two-year-old filly Magical Mistress put their unbeaten seasons on the line in one of the best post Old home Week cards of the year.
At Western Fair on Tuesday, Sodwana Bay was second beaten by a neck in 2:05:4 against the $9,000 preferred class for driver Alf Carroll. The Grand Circuit Breeders Crown events go this evening at Pocono Downs with all the best in each division. Anthony MacDonald’s Lawmaker leaves from Post 9 in the $500,000 race for three-year-old trotters. Percy Blue Chip, who was purchased by Ron Burke from Serge Savard, Ron MacLellan and others, goes from Post 4 in the sophomore filly classic.
At Yonkers Raceway in New York, Mark MacDonald leaves from the rail with Jimmy Takter’s Great Vintage in the $44,000 open against the likes of Bit of a Legend N, Military Master A and four others.
At Mohawk Raceway, James MacDonald has Post 7 with Easy Lover Hanover in the $34,000 top class, won last week by The Downtown Bus (Travis Cullen), who has Post 2. Lincoln James leaves from Post 2 in the $24,000 class but it’s a tough one with Shamballa, Jins Shark and six others.
At Mohawk on Thursday, Rose Run Quest scored a close 1:53:1 victory for Jason Ryan and owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown. On the same card, Reg MacPherson’s Carlissomo (James MacDonald), who left from Post 10, finished a game third in the $48,000 Autumn two-year-old final won by Claude Poirier’s Shadow of a Daut in 1:54. Dance Hall Babe (Anthony MacDonald) also took the $44,000 Autumn trot for two-year-old fillies in 2:01.
Pigskin picks
The NFL heads into Week 8 and right now the best bets for the final four are Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans, Kansas City and New England, but there’s still a long way to go. Let’s take a look at a few games worth betting on this week.
Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) – This game will be played in London, England, and it matches two teams that have lost a combined five of their last six. The Eagles are the better club by far, so jump on the bandwagon.
Washington Redskins (4-2) vs New York Giants (1-6) – The Giants traded away one of their best defenders in Damon Harrison and their offensive line is porous and can’t protect Eli Manning. The Vegas odds have the Giants one-point home dogs, which is a shocker. Redskins win big.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) – The Bengals lost two straight to Kansas City and Pittsburgh, both very good clubs, but they are at home, have a top QB and are playing a team they should, and will, dominate.
New York Jets (3-4) at Chicago Bears (3-3) – The Bears disappointed in their last game and they need this victory to stay alive in the playoff picture. The Bears have been scoring points and now it’s time to show off their much-improved defence. Bears by seven points.
New Orleans Saints (5-1) at Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1) – The Saints are coming off a dramatic victory over Baltimore, but the Vikings have won three in a row behind QB Kirk Cousins. Souris native Tom Mullally has been telling me all week to bet Drew Brees and the Saints, so I’ll take the advice of the ex-Souris High School Potato Bowl winning linebacker. New Orleans by a field goal.
Fred MacDonald's column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at [email protected].
