The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
This week in the Sports Experts column, I would like to start by telling you a story. One of The Reminder staff was at home one night this week, when their six-year-old came running down the stairs to tell her that the Bomber game was on the radio. She told the youngster to go back up and find out what the score was, but when the kid did not return, she went upstairs to find her fast asleep with the radio still on and a pen and paper near by with these two words scratched on the paper: "Niplwen Hox". While it is probably a good thing she didn't find out the score from that game, the Bombers have turned a trick and won three of their last four games. "The Bombers seem to be a completely different team now. They have added some size and skill on the D-line and Pajak seems to fit perfectly with Beachell and Rolston. It wouldn't surprise me to see Beachell end up with 25 goals this season.Ê They may not make the playoffs this year, but if they can play an entire season like they are playing right now, they wont be fighting for a play off spot next year, they will be fighting for the league pennant." - Steve M. "About time the Bombers got a fire in their belly. The young blood, and a group of kids who want to play for more than just to end the season is exactly what this team needed. Even if the comeback doesn't happen, I feel confident for next year." - Jeff K. 'Congratulations' P.# Con't from P.# "Congratulations to the Bombers! They seemed to snap out of a slump at the hands of the sliding Melfort Mustangs. They are going to surprise some people on this road trip." - Shane C. The NFL playoffs are nearing an end, with some surprises along the way. Only four teams remain, and two will be eliminated this weekend while the other two will be playing for all the marbles in a couple of weeks. "As much as I love the Falcons, I can't see them being able to beat the Eagles the way they are playing right now. As for the Steelers and Patriots, well this could be the game of the season.ÊBig Ben puts his undefeated streak on the line against the defending champs who are playing just like champs should play." - Steve M. "New England just made Payton Manning look like a first year college player last week, I see no reason why they can't do it to Big Ben and take another Super Bowl title. And they have all the incentive in the world now considering they're going to lose both their offensive and defensive coordinators at the end of the season." - Thomas B. "I must say I'm surprised by how the NFL playoffs have went. In the first two rounds, I'm only 3-5. With my two picks out of the playoffs fairly quickly, I'm now pulling for the complete package, in Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons. As they say, defence wins championships, and I'd venture that the Falcons have one of the best defences, and with the ability to run the ball and control the pace of the game, they have a great shot at taking it all the way. My predictions: Atlanta 27 - Philly 16, Steelers 24 - Patriots 21" - Jeff K. Finally, my childhood hero Theoren Fleury is running into more problems, and this time it isn't his fault. Fleury attempted to join a team in Alberta's Senior Hockey League. The league denied his request to play, as they made a ruling in the off season to prevent NHL players from joining the league in the event of a lockout. While Fleury didn't play a game last season, he was still under contract with the Chicago Black Hawks. Even if there was no lockout this year, Fleury wouldn't be playing, but rules are rules and Hockey Alberta stood by their decision. I say just let the poor guy play, but not everyone agrees. "I think that Fleury should be allowed to play in the senior league of his choice. Look at all the other NHLers who had a contract last year playing. They are in Europe, AHL, ECHL, you name it there is an NHLer playing, so why shouldn't Fleury be playing? I think that it has to do with politics. Big deal if he was under an NHL contract, isn't that going to bring in fans? The team sold out the rink when they heard he was going to be playing for the team and now that he is suspended it has taken away from the fans, just like this lockout has. Having a marquee name like Fleury would have sold out rinks whenever the team traveled. I think that the league is dumb for not having him." - Rob B. "As for Theo, let him play already. It's not exactly a secret that his NHL career is over, and this seems to be a pretty bush technicality they're using." - Thomas B. "I totally agree with Hockey Alberta, and I am glad that they had taken preemptive steps to avoid the down flooding of NHLers who still wanna do the only thing they know how to and in the process bump out guys that are supposed to get their chances at the Senior level. What a horribly weak argument to be allowed to play, "Yes, I was under contract, but I never played any games last season". Why? He was suspended for violations of the alcohol and drug abuse policy of the league. Sorry, no respect here for one of the fallen greats." - Shane C. That is all for this week. If you would like to join the Sports Experts, send an e-mail to: [email protected] for more information.
