Mr Dee

1st Ottawa was going to win, then Hamilton looked to have it in the bag, then a Milt-like play for the RedBlacks. Damn good game.

Simoni Lawrence and Burris again on the TD....helmet to helmet. Game on.

Ok, I want to know, who is that guy playing in Masoli's uniform? Nice plays..and play calling so far for the Ticats. No sooner that I post this and Ottawa rips Hamilton in a few plays and get the TD. Boring? Not so far.

They said it. That's why Thorburn stays in the NHL. Effort. Weird array of penalties for the Jets - closing hand on puck, embellishment, delay of game (over the glass - my least favourite penalty), and a putrid call on too many men. Faceoffs? 31-25 Arizona Hits - 28-21 Jets Giveaways - 14-9 Jets Takeaways 10-5 Jets Worst stats? Arizona 2-6 on power play Jets 0-5

For me it's a matter of Austin's huge ego and arrogance vs Ottawa's emergence as a solid team...with a huge boost of critical non-injuries. Austin, more or less, said he'll live and die with the QBs he brought along...he will likely die. Unless.. Bad Hank shows up, but he hasn't been around too much this year, so despite having my reservations about Burris this year, I grudgingly have to admit he had a fantastic year and deserves success. There, I said it.

Henoc Muamba live at the UBC-St.FX game. Being interviewed, as he was a former player. Blake Nill - coaching record in the CIS 61-20 with St Mary's - 69-27 with the Calgary Dinos - 8-2 @UBC so far. Not bad, not bad Jacques..

CFL GAME NOTES: This week tied a league-record 41st time that the Eskimos will play for a Division title (Toronto also has 41 but of course over a much longer franchise history). This will be the Eskimos’ 30th trip in the “single-game” era (1973-2015) after going to 11 prior “Best of” series from 1950 to 1960. The Eskimos come into this playoff game riding an 8-game win streak. That is their longest season-ending win streak since 1982. This meeting marks the first time since 1996 that Edmonton and Calgary will have met two years in a row for the Division playoff title. They met four years in a row from 1990 to 1993, and back-to-back in 1978-79. Of Calgary’s 33 previous Division Final appearances, 11 have been against the Eskimos and they hold 6-5 edge including the 2014 championship game. This will be the 5th time that Calgary will travel to Edmonton for the West Final – they won in 2001 and 1991, and lost in 1979 and 1978 at Commonwealth Stadium. Under Coach John Hufnagel, the Stampeders have now reached the West Final in 7 out of his 8 seasons. In Canadian Football history only four coaches have ever gotten to 7 Finals in an 8-year span at any point in their career with a club. In two season, Coach Jones has guided the Eskimos from a 4-14 season in 2013 to 14 wins a host spot in the West Final. He has led them to a second straight Division Final for the first time since 2003. EDM TOP of 32:31: Edmonton has not had less than 29:31 of TOP in any of the last 14 games and has averaged 32:31 over that period. They have won the Time of Possession battle in each of their last 6 games. This week marks just the third career playoff start for Mitchell however he is now 2-0 including last year’s Finals victory against Edmonton (14-of-22 for 336 yards, 4 TDs). He is one of only four Calgary QBs to throw 4 TDs in a single playoff game (Keith Spaith, Danny Barrett, Marcus Crandell & Mitchell). Mitchell has yet to throw a playoff interception in 15 attempts. This week will be just Reilly’s second ever playoff start after last year’s Final game effort in Calgary. Between Mitchell and Reilly they have just 3 career playoff starts (3 more than last year though when they were both at start #1). Mike Reilly 300+: Has now led the Eskimos to wins in 8 straight starts, something no Edmonton QB has done since Tracy Ham won 9 in a row across 1989-1990. Over the last 3 games of the regular season, Reilly produced THREE 300-yard games in a row with 7 TD passes, 1,017 yards and 27 completions for 2nd down conversions. He matched his career-best streak of 300-yard games. 4th Quarter Edmonton: The Eskimos have not been outscored in the 4th Quarter in their last 9 games (107-22 scoring edge) or in any of their 14 wins this year. In their 14 wins they are 145-28 (+117) in Q4 scoring, in their 4 losses they have been outscored 29-3. They had two games in 2105 where they outscored their opponent 21-0 in the final 15:00. #1 vs #2 receiver: The West Final features the Top Two receivers in the CFL in Eric Rogers and Adarius Bowman. The last two times that a Division Final featured the #1 and #2 overall receivers was 2008 – BC vs Calgary (G.Simon and K.Rambo) and in 2002 – Winnipeg vs Edmonton (M.Stegall and T.Vaughn). Edmonton turnovers: The Eskimos were sitting at -7 and ranked #8 in the CFL through their first games (29 turnovers made, 22 forced). Over their last 10 games (9-1 WL record), they forced 27 turnovers and made only 14 themselves for a +13 Ratio, the best in the CFL over that stretch. First time ever: This year’s contest marks the first-ever meeting of 14-4 teams in the CFL playoffs and ties the record for most combined wins (28) by division finalists. In 1995, the North Division final featured Calgary (15-3) against Edmonton (13-5) while the 1997 East final had Toronto (15-3) going up against Montreal (13-5). BTW 53.5% of MBB pick....Edmonton to win.

@: #Ticats slotback Terrell Sinkfield won't play tomorrow. #CFL CFL Game Notes- Last play FG to win: Medlock’s 47-yard FG on the last play was the 7th time that a walk-off (absolute last play) field goal has ended a playoff game in league history back to 1936. William Powell: Started the final 4 games and had a major impact. Powell rushed for 392 yards on 66 carries (13 runs of 10+ yards) - #1 in the CFL over the final 4 weeks of the season (#2: Tyrell Sutton with 373). The REDBLACKS won all four games that he started and Powell added 12 catches for 102 yards in that span. Ottawa 12 wins: The REDBLACKS broke the all-time Ottawa wins record with their 12-6 mark going one better than the 11-5 Rough Riders in 1978. They finished above .500 on the road (5-4) for the first time in 20 seasons (1983: 5-3 Rough Riders). The matchup at starting QB has Ottawa’s Henry Burris bring 233 total regular season & playoff starts (119-111-3) against Jeremiah Masoli’s two career starts, one last season at Calgary, and the other the playoff game last week versus Toronto. Hamilton defensive TDs: The 8 scores by the Hamilton defence is second-highest ever by the Ticats and two short of their club record of 10 in 1971. Trying for 3 in a row: The last time that Hamilton won three consecutive East Division playoff titles was 1984 to 1986. They went on to the Grey Cup and won one of the three opportunities. Hamilton recent on the road: The Ticats have lost their last two road games in Ottawa (44-28) and BC (40-13) so by a combined score of 84-41. Hamilton QB sacks: In their 10 wins, Hamilton had 28 QB sacks; in their 8 defeats they recorded just 10 sacks. 4 wins a row: The REDBLACKS have now won 4 straight games – the last Ottawa team to win 4 games in a row before that was back in 1991 (Aug 8-29/91) after an 0-4 start to reach 4-4. Ticat Turnover Ratio (+28 vs -13): Hamilton has a +28 Turnover Ratio in their 10 wins, and are -13 in their 7 losses in 2015. They have gone -5 over their last two games. Four at 1,000 yards: Ottawa had four receivers over 1,000 yards this season: Chris Williams (#3, 1,214), Greg Ellingson (#7, 1,061), Ernest Jackson (#9, 1,036) and Brad Sinopoli (#11, 1,035). Ellingson made 20 catches for 355 yards over the final 4 games to make into the 1000-yard group. Ottawa had NEVER before had even three 1,000-yard receivers in the same season. Ottawa Offence: In their 12 wins, Ottawa averaged 433 yards of net offence; in their 6 losses they averaged over 140 less yards per game at 292 per game. 81.8% pick of MBB pick....Ottawa to win.

Clarence Denmark @OnAnotherOne: Really wish we could be playing here next weekend for all the true fans that support us...

Well, there goes the old 20 game undefeated streak at home for Guelph... - @DarrinBauming: Can't see how UBC or St. FX would be able to knock off Montreal in the Vanier. Carabins looking for the translated Drake track. #back2back

Talk about hockey promotions in a hockey? market. Florida Panthers - TSN BarDown staff; As Canadians, we love our hockey. Something that translates to hockey tickets being in high demand all across the country, especially in cities with an NHL team. However, this isn't the case for a number of teams in the United States, which means that fans in markets where hockey is less popular tend to score incredible deals on tickets. Take for example this holiday promotion being offered up by the Florida Panthers. For the price of just $99, fans get two tickets to THREE games, two t-shirts, one autographed puck, a voucher for a post-game photo on-ice, two tickets to an amusement park, and presumably a 20 percent share in the team.

A little bit of everything. Too many penalties, especially at the wrong time didn't help their cause, but the emergence of the the Thunderbirds over the last part of the season, coached by Blake Nill, former Dino coach, really played into that victory. The guy knows his kids and knows his game. The Dinos were built to win the whole thing this year and now, for two years in a row, they were upset. I feel for QB Andrew Buckley, he's a good one. The Thunderbirds may surprise.

If anybody's interested, and are football hungry, there's a pair of games on Saturday that should be very entertaining. Montreal Carabins at Guelph Gryphons 12:30 pm ET UBC Thunderbirds at St. Francis Xavier X-men 4 pm ET Sportsnet 360 TV coverage Saturday Nov 21 For the second year in a row, the CIS football conference finals produced three new champions as only the reigning Vanier Cup titlist Montreal Carabins earned a return trip to the national semifinals. Who said there is no parity in Canadian university football? All four league finals on Saturday came down to the wire and were won by the visiting team. The Guelph Gryphons upset previously undefeated Western 23-17; in the Canada West Hardy Cup at Calgary, the UBC Thunderbirds scored an equally impressive 34-26 upset against the previously unbeaten Dinos Not only are the top-three ranked teams in the country now out of contention for the Vanier Cup, three programs advance to the CIS Bowl games for the first time since the 1990's, including Guelph (1996), UBC (1997) and StFX (1996). Next Saturday, Nov. 21, nationally fourth-ranked Montreal (8-2) visits No. 5 Guelph (9-1) in the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Mitchell Bowl at Alumni Stadium (12:30 p.m. ET), while No. 6 UBC (8-2) travels to Antigonish, N.S., to face unranked StFX (7-3) in the Uteck Bowl at Oland Stadium (4:30 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. AT). Next weekend's winners will meet on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 1 pm in Quebec City for the ArcelorMittal Vanier Cup presented by Promutuel Assurance. Hardy Cup recap - and Blake Nill. After spending the previous nine seasons at the helm of the University of Calgary Dinos football program, Nill headed into Saturday’s 79th Hardy Cup against his former team knowing his revamped UBC Thunderbirds would be in tough against the nation’s No. 1-ranked team. But just like they have all season long, the T-Birds surprised the majority of pundits – and perhaps their first-year head coach – landing a 34-26 win at McMahon Stadium in Calgary to give UBC its first Canada West football title since 1997. “My heart goes out to them, because they’re the top team in the country and on this one day, things just didn’t work out for them. It’s tough in football that way,” Nill said of the Dinos, who following last year’s 28-15 loss to Manitoba have now lost back-to-back Hardy Cups for the first time since 1987. “It’s been a long year for me personally. It was a very difficult decision to leave Calgary. It’s been a real grind trying to get the program established at UBC and the emotion of this game and the first game of the year (against Calgary) has been quite overwhelming.” “You look at these kids and what it means to them, it’s worth it.” Among the keys to UBC’s victory was the performance of Nill’s biggest offseason recruit – former Penn State quarterback Michael O’Connor, who passed for 374 yards on the day. The first-year pivot picked apart the Dinos defence at key moments, including a pair of first half touchdown passes to Marcus Davis, which helped the T-Birds race out to a 28-17 halftime lead. On the other side of the coin, the setback was a crushing blow to Calgary. After an 8-0 regular season, along with a come-from-behind 37-29 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies in last week’s Hardy Cup Semifinal, the Dinos were favourites against a UBC team they defeated 49-16 in the season opener back on September 4. The loss was especially tough to swallow for fifth-year quarterback and Hec Crighton nominee Andrew Buckley, who posted 474 passing yards, but came out on the wrong side of a second consecutive Hardy “We just didn’t capitalize when we were in the red zone and took too many penalties.” After leading the conference in nearly every category during the regular season, it was Calgary’s one statistical blemish that led in part to the Dinos playoff downfall – penalties. Racking up 145 penalty yards compared to UBC’s 70, Calgary provided the T-Birds with more than enough breaks, which the visitors were all too happy to capitalize on. “The last time St. FX won (the Loney Bowl) was when I was defensive coordinator there and we beat Mount Allison,” said Nill, who was St. FX’s d-coordinator between 1992 and 1997. “It’s going to be an honour to go back to Nova Scotia again.” As for what he expects from his squad in the Uteck Bowl, the sky’s the limit for a team that continues to surprise their veteran coach. “I’m shocked at some of the success we’ve had with this group. It says so much about the human spirit, because these kids are just listening and starting to believe in themselves.”

I'm not advocating anything. The money was mentioned in a game segment. Of course these guys don't want to get hurt, but this is going to be in a "fun" format - 3 on 3. All I saying is if there is money involved, give it to charity, the players certainly don't need it. I don't watch these games. They don't interest me. They can scrap them for all I care or better yet have them play table-top hockey. They probably would prefer to be named to an all-star team, get stinkin badges, and have the weekend off.

So, they're chosen as all stars, and can't find the oomph to try and win the game for the charity of their choice, in what will be a fun game of 3 on 3? Was there money involved in the all-star games before? Other than to their pensions? Money shouldn't be the incentive. But that's just me.

It's mostly a good idea. Sounds exciting, but sure is tough to pick a team and include one from every team. The part I don't like? $1 million will be divided amongst the winning team. Like really? 10-11 players will split it? Give the damn money to 4 charities, one for each division.

Special teams: Vancouver - 20th @17.5 Winnipeg - 23rd @15.3 - power play. Vancouver - 14th Winnipeg 15th .......80.7 to 80.5 - penalty kills. I've been watching every game of "my" teams and they're vey similar in what they're doing; mixing young guys in with veteran players. The Jets with Ehlers, Copp, Petan. The Canucks with Virtanen, McCann, and Cracknell. - with mixed results. The Canucks are the slightly better team right now as the Jets are not taking care of their defensive responsibilities, as in the forwards. The Canucks have scored 5 more goals but the Jets have allowed 12 more goals. And it's not necessarily the goaltending. Both teams have scored goals similar to 12 teams in their Conference, BUT, have allowed more goals than 8 teams in the Conference. The Jets need this game more to keep in the wild card race, so I see a tie game with Jets winning, but they better beware of the 3 on 3, although I suppose it could be quite entertaining.

There's no doubt that the FA list won't look as spectacular, but there's going to be some very interesting names leftover, I would think. It looks like that scowl on Austins face can totally be related to the 'all in' concept that he has gambled on. They can't possibly sign all those same players to new contracts, so there's going to be movement..of some good players. Now I realize those were tears in Austin's eyes and fear on his face, the day Collaros went down.

Saskatchewan has a list of 35 players set to become free agents. Now Hamilton has a list of 34. Something like 200 in the league? I suddenly understand where the Bomber scouts and management will be concentrating their time this off season...the free agency lists.

Not an impending free agent, but more of a missing Bomber in the recent past. Addison Richards. It has been noted on T.E.P., by a certain missing poster, that: "He's having offseason hip surgery and is expected to be ready for training camp. He's seeing a hip specialist as his issue is a little complicated." That poster? - gbill2004

Player of the game - Bryan Little. Probably the player of the last 4 games

You know what says it all...0-5 on the power play, although I've heard the Jets aren't going to be allowed to call it that. And there is absolutely no truth to the rumour that someone named Marcel has designed our power play offence.

I said Barrett in another thread a couple of weeks ago and was shot down, but now that the media is talking about him it seems like an option. We thought you meant Rona Barrett.

Dat would be the record completion percentage in 2005, Bob! That and his stupid ******* facial hair choices and his giant dumbo ears... he just looks like someone you'd want to punch right in the face. It's not like you have to date him. Or celebrate Christmaas with him.

Let's not underappreciate what either Westetman or Sinopoli has done. We want and need Westerman to win, and he does deserve it, but Sinopoli has been an exceptional NI who has managed to use his knowledge in what he learned at QB and transfer it to being a receiver. He's smart and athletic enough to make that work. But that speaks to his overall transference as a player, not so much of what he's done this year. He's benefited, somewhat, of a QB's record completion year, and how he's spread the ball around. That's great and might make him an all star, but, story or not, Westerman should get it.