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NovemBer 15, 2005

CFL Notebook: The Quest Begins

Josh Lewis Sports Reporter

If you read the Cadre at all, you migh remember this from a few weeks back:

“Don’t count on that undefeated streak continuing much longer... the Lions will fall back to earth and fast.” I was referring to the B.C. Lions, who at the time were on fire with an 11-0 record. Some were calling for an undefeated season. Immediately after that column was published, the Lions lost four straight and six of their final seven games. In fact, their record (12- 6) was even worse than I predicted (14-4). Anyhoo, I guess I should stop bragging about myself and talk about the season that just ended.

The most surprising team this year would have to be the suddenly downtrodden Montreal Alouettes. For years the Als dominated the East Division, mutilating all who dared to challenge their reign. That all ended in last year’s East final when Toronto defensive end Eric England sacked Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo, taking him out of the game and dashing his team’s Grey Cup hopes. Still, no one expected Montreal to be quite as mediocre as they were this season. The team’s defense, which has carried them in the past, let them down time and time again, and the offense struggled after losing three of its top four receivers from 2004.

In the West, the Calgary Stampeders turned a lot of heads in 2005 after acquiring QB Henry Burris and finishing at 11-7, a far cry from their basement-dwelling season of 2004. The Stamps ruled the CFL in the 1990s, led by the likes of Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, Allen Pitts, Kelvin Anderson and coach Wally Buono, but

the last few years have seen the team .

struggle mightily amid turmoil on and off the field. It seems that ex-Eskimo coach Tom Higgins has righted this ship and has his team raring to go in the playoffs.

By the time you read this, the division semifinal games will be over

and you'll either be laughing at me or bowing in reverance. I’m willing to take that risk. Here are my picks:

-(3) Edmonton at (2) Calgary

This is going to be one hell ofa game. The Battle of Alberta always is, but when you throw in the fact that Calgary throttled the Eskimos in the season’s final week to secure home-field advantage (and ensure that Edmonton didn’t win the division)... well, these guys aren’t going to have any problems getting jacked for this one.

Calgary’s strength is in their offensé. Burris, a former Chicago Bear, has combined with newly acquired receiver Jermaine Copeland to ignite this team. It doesn’t hurt that running back Joffrey Reynolds has exceeded expectations in giving the team a more balanced offense.

Edmonton, meanwhile, had their Mr. Everything, QB Ricky Ray, return this season after spending 2004 as a third-stringer for the New York Jets. Everything hasn’t been milk and honey for this team, though. The Eskimos’ rushing game has been virtually non- existent, and they went from having a chance to win the West to finishing third. Prediction: Calgary 34, Edmonton 30 -(3) Saskatchewan at (2) Montreal

If not for the sudden collapse of the Ottawa Renegades, this team would have missed the playoffs. Pretty strong reality for a team that has won the East Division for the past 300-odd years. Simply put, their defense was atrocious, and Calvillo didn’t have the same intimidating presence in 2005 as in years past.

Saskatchewan got off to.a slow start, then showed signs of breaking out, then had a slow finish. Marcus Crandell appeared to have the team on the right track, but the Riders are still far too inconsistent. However, running back Corey Holmes —the Western nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award — is very consistent, and he will shred the Als’ defense on this day.

Don’t worry, I won’t leave you hanging as to who you should pick in the division finals next weekend. Take Toronto over Saskatchewan 31-24, and Calgary over B.C. 37-35.

THE CADRE ¢ 12

UPEI Panthers Swim Team Gearing Up For An Exciting Season

Amy Mckie Contributor

The UPEI Panthers Swim Team have their first competition of the year this weekend (November 19th and 20th) at the CARI pool. This will be an exciting event as our swimmers have been training since September and it will be the first competition for many of them. We invite you to come out and see the action and show your Panther pride! :

Did you know we had a swim

year at UPEI and we are working on getting AUS/CIS status. If you are interested in joining, please contact President Amy McKie at upeiswimteam(@gmail.com. Swimming is the best excercise you can get, and we always have a lot of fun. Says swimmer James Sullivan “It’s the most fun you can have in the pool!”. As long as you have your basic strokes down and can swim at least two lengths, you

team? We are currently inoursecond are more than eligible.

UPEI Dodgeball Society presents: Ist Annual

Charlottetown Dodgeball Open.

When: Saturday, November 26th, Registration and warmup cougarball start at 10:30am, tournament starts at 11:30am. Where: UPEI sportsplex gym ‘ Teams of 6-8 (make you own teams, if you can’t find a team email us and we'll help you) Price is $5 per person with proceeds going to the UPEI dodgeball society for - the purpose of buying more balls.

For more information, rules or enquiries e-mail dodgeball_upei@hotmail.com

Everyone is welcome, (non-UPEI students included) and no experience is necessary!

Volleyball Panthers Continue Losing Streak

The women’s volleyball Panthers continued their unfortunate losing streak on the seventh of November, losing to the Universite de Moncton Blue Eagles in 4 sets, 27-25, 17-25, 25-22, and 25-23. Although each of the sets was close, the Panthers were never able to finish their sets, despite outscoring the Eagles 95-94 overall. Moncton prevailed largely due to a superb defensive effort, out- digging the Panthers 62-47.

Panther Barb Vriends was a force to be reckoned with from the Panthers, totaling 23 points with 18 kills, 1 ace and 5 blocks. Rebecca Gallant contributed a further 12 kills and 11 digs. Player of the game was awarded to Moncton’s Kristine Levesque, with 21 kills and 5 digs.

The volleyball girls continued to strive for their elusive first win of the season on the 12" against Saint Mary’s. Details were not available at press time.

Men’s Hockey Team Continues to Struggle The men’s hockey team suffered two defeats on the weekend, one at the hands of St. Mary’s 4-2 on Friday and one from Acadia 5-0 on Saturday. The losses increase the men’s current losing streak to seven games, with an overall record of 1-10-0. They hope end the skid the 18" against

SMU. The women, currently 1-6-0, play next at Dalhousie on the 19".