Ultimate Buzzer beater

Thanks to the video staff at UWO for this priceless stuff.

Western's Best

...will be honoured tonight at the Convention centre, in an unconventional way. Historical actually. It's an arguable decision (one the voting brass slaved over), which has nothing to do with the athletes involved. It should be interesting to see how people react to it all. Man, told'em I wouldn't be able to make it. Might be regretting that decision around 9 pm...

I'll never forget

...the image of a hobbled, hurting Michael Faulds coming out for one final toss on his illustrious university football career. It went incomplete. But that moment, the attempt, the possibility capped off just about as complete a body of work as we'll ever have the pleasure of witnessing in the Canadian university game. Complete with many well deserved accolades and truly magical memories. That final act, perhaps the most complete of them all. Completely touching, inspiring, amazing and never to be forgotten.

Now here's to the Hec for one Heck of a player.

The Gaels' offensive line won that game. Mustangs' blunders lost it. That early pick, that safety, and Wheeler's rare miss all contributing to a much, much longer bus ride home. But folks, it's the sick beauty of football and sports: someone's heart must be broken.

Stangs by a field goal

Gotta feelin' the defence will have it's day in Queen's. Gotta say though, the Gaels are a confidence bunch, smelling blood running from what they perceive is a wounded animal out of London. TJ Leeper, Gaels linebacker and Lucas grad says games mean just a bit more to him when they're against the Mustangs. He told me so on the radio show Friday. Michael Faulds wants to have fun Saturday afternoon. He should. Not just because he'll most likely surpass the 10,000 yard passing plateau at Richardson Stadium, but it'll be his second last OUA regular season game. He's finished when the 2009 campaign concludes. Enjoy these times he must. They're almost over. The question is: when does the 2009 campaign conclude for Mike and Mustangs? Two weeks from today? Or November 28th in Quebec City? We got both sides of the Western/Queen's debate Friday on the Hook. Thanks to TJ and Mike for their time.

My favourite OHL'er is Ryan Ellis. Not just because he joined us on the program, but because he's a whale of a player. He says it was a "told ya so" type of moment for him when he walked the stage in Montreal this past June as the 11th overall pick in the NHL draft. He's 5-foot-nothing, but carries a big stick. That's why he's the best powerplay point man in the Junior game. We'll bare witness again this Christmas when he's terrorizing the World Junior tournament for the second straight year. This time he's old enough not to be wearing a cage. Ryan's out with an injury right now. When he gets back into the Spitfires line-up he'll most likely be joined by Kenny Ryan, who has left Boston College to play in the OHL, and whomever Spits' management can bring back in a deal for disgruntled defenceman, Jesse Blacker. Ryan and Blacker are both Leafs second round picks.

Thanks to Dave Blackwell and the crew from the Southwestern Ontario Women's charity cashspiel. We learned Friday on Da Hook that their event has grown leaps and bounds since it's beginning 13 years back. Future olympians are even part of the draws this time around. Bingyu Wang of China is here. Wang is also the reigning World Women's curling champion. Mirjam Ott of Switzerland is competing in the cashspiel this fall. The Ott rink has been touring Canada the past few weeks getting used to the Canadian game, if you will. It's all in preparation for 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Both Ott and Wang will be there.

Love the chats with J-Ho. Lot's of fun. Zipperboots, Fords, Wrestling costumes and turkey carcasses. You've gotta listen to learn WTF I'm talkin' 'bout.

Da Hook's on again Saturday night... 5:30. I've got Craig Needles, Mike Augello and Ryan Gauss dropping by. We'll break down the Stangs and Gaels, preview tonight's 7th straight Leafs loss and talk London City Soccer. Is the thing up for sale or what?

Peace.

The Math

Stangs' QB, Michael Faulds is expected to have a big night against York...

The numbers are as follows:

347 - yards to break Ben Chapdelaine's OUA passing record

372 - yards to 10,000 for his career

827 - yards from equalling Matt Connell's all-time CIS mark

??? - yards Mike might throw for tonight

Breaking some big marks would be nice for the first class pivot, but one of those feel-good-about-ourselves type of wins would be nicer. We shall see what happens? Really tho, the Stangs need to feel good about themselves again, and tonight would be the perfect time to start. It could also get worse. It's up to them. But the Queen's game looms, a psychological milestone for both clubs.

/A\ News Sports is live tonight from TD Waterhouse Stadium.

Mickey Donovan is on Da Hook this Saturday, 5:30 pm at http://am980.ca/

Quote o' the day

"My assessment now is that he'll need more time in junior... but I would love to be proven wrong on Nazem Kadri."

- Leafs GM, Brian Burke in the Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/691615

And Western by...15.

Grapes and Humble Pie

So Western travels all that way (to Laval) and fails even to deliver a message.

Actually, it did. It's: 'we're still not good enough'.

27-0 Groulx's.

Same kind of thing happened last fall and Laval ended up winning the title...again. But hey, Western also made it to Hamilton. Question now is, can the Mustangs make it back to Laval? And after this weekend's spanking, do they want to?

Of course, it's all just a workout...and a lesson, one the Stangs should aspire to be dishing out next time.

FYI - My interview with Don Cherry airs on 'A' News at 6, Tuesday, September 1st. We're dishing out samplers Monday at 11 then all morning long Snoozeday. Grapes attended the finale of the EuroCan Cup.


am980 photos:

James Hogan at the dials


He's got serious tatoos, man


The guy with the smile (or something like that)

Vanier Cup

I believe it'll take a miracle for Western to overcome Laval in Saturday's Vanier Cup game in Hamilton. Then again we are entering miracle season, so anything's possible.

Rouge et Or by 12.

As much as I'm frustrated with the play of Vesa Toskala, in the long run he might be doing the Leafs a favour. As he goes so goes this team. So anyone who believes in a true rebuild for the Buds should hope Vesa just keeps on keepin' on. And I doubt Ron Wilson would pull him for any extended period of time.

If and when Brian Burke takes over, all bets are off.