Hilltops get big game feel for second battle with Rifles

Boston Davidsen has 224 rushing yards for the Hilltops.

Head coach Tom Sargeant views the Winnipeg Rifles as a legit tough foe, and he won’t let his Saskatoon Hilltops be fooled by the Rifles’ 0-2 record.

On Sunday, the Hilltops, who sport a 2-0 record, travel to the Manitoba capital to face the Rifles in a CJFL regular season clash at East Side Eagles Field for a 1 p.m. Winnipeg time kickoff. The two sides opened their respective regular season schedules playing each other in Week 1 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, where the Hilltops pulled out a 19-10 victory in a defensive battle on August 14.

Following that contest, the Hilltops remained at home for Week 2 this past Sunday and dumped the Edmonton Huskies 38-10 in solid fashion at SMF Field.

The Rifles traveled to Regina in Week 2 to face the Thunder this past Sunday at Leibel Field. Winnipeg held a 22-18 lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Thunder got two field goals from kicker Zack Schmidt to rally for a 24-22 victory.

Schmidt, who was playing in place of injured veteran Eric Maximuik, booted home the winning field goal from 28 yards out with 5:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.

In both Rifles setbacks, Winnipeg quarterback Bryson McNeil surpassed 300 yard passing. McNeil has completed 47-of-76 passes for 645 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions, in the Rifles two games to date.

“When you have a quarterback, then you’re always in a game,” said Sargeant, whose 220 career wins are the most for Canadian amateur football in the post-secondary ranks. “At the end of the day, this will be their first game at home, so they’re going to be excited to defend their home turf.

Bryson McNeil has passed for 645 yards in two games for the Rifles.

“They got us coming in, and they felt they were right with us the last game. We know we have to play better, prepare better. We know they are going to be up to the challenge.”

In the Week 1 encounter between the Hilltops and Rifles, Saskatoon’s defence stalled Winnipeg’s running game as the Rifles gained 38 yards rushing as a team on 12 carries. That caused the Rifles to go to the air, where they piled up 335 yards passing.

The Hilltops defensive ultimately forced the Rifles drives to stall and the Saskatoon side got timely interceptions from outside linebacker Konner Johnson and defensive back Wade Keating. Johnson had 4.5 total tackles, one sack and two pass knockdowns to go with his interception in that win, while Keating had seven total tackles to with this his interception in the Week 1 victory.

While the defense came up big for the Hilltops in Week 1, Johnson thought the Hilltops defensive unit played better in the win over the Huskies, and he said the focus is to continue that improving trend going into the second encounter with the Rifles.

“It is their home opener now,” said Johnson. “They have a very talented quarterback and a very talented group of receivers, so we’re really looking to shut them down.

“It is going to be a challenge for us, but we’re up for it.”

Rifles receiver Jacob Roger had a breakout game in the loss to the Thunder hauling in 11 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. On Wednesday, Roger was named the PFC’s offensive player of the week. On the season, Roger leads the PFC in receptions (14) and receiving yards (307).

Defensive back Kyle Chorney leads the Rifles with 15 total tackles and also has one sack.

Damon Dutton has completed 34-of-47 passes this season.

Offensively for the Hilltops, quarterback Damon Dutton has been efficient completing 34-of-47 passes for 357 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions over two games. Veteran power running back Boston Davidsen sits third in the PFC in rushing piling up 224 yards on the ground on 38 carries scoring one touchdown.

Hilltops 17-year-old rookie running back Charles Sawi has 268 all-purpose yards come on 11 touches via rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, punt returns and missed field goal returns.

Sargeant is looking for his club to play their best game in the early part of the season in the second encounter with the Rifles.

“We have to be ready for whatever they bring,” said Sargeant. “The game we had last Sunday, the team grew a lot.

“We got better. I’m looking forward to taking this team out there on Sunday and coming out and playing our best game of the year.”

Roughriders alum Hughes coming to End Zone Dinner

A Roughriders promo picture of Neal Hughes.

Saskatchewan Roughriders alum Neal Hughes will be the special guest speaker at this year’s Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner.

The End Zone Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 10 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Doors open for the dinner at 4:15 p.m. with food to be served at 5:15 p.m. The funds raised at the dinner go towards the Hilltops scholarship fund.

Hughes, who is from Regina, played 11 CFL seasons at fullback for the Roughriders from 2004 to 2014 helping the team to Grey Cup wins in 2007 and 2013. The 2013 championship was won at the Roughriders historic home park in Taylor Field.

During his time with the Roughriders, Hughes mainly focused on blocking duties as a fullback or from a tight end position and covered kicks on special teams. He also showed his versatility in being able to make big plays running the football, catching it out of the backfield or punting it when required.

Before joining the Roughriders, Hughes played six seasons with the Regina Rams as their star running back. He suited up for the Rams as a rookie in 1998, when they played their final season in the CJFL capturing their 15^th and final CJFL championship.

Hughes played with the Rams during their first five seasons in the U Sports ranks as the University of Regina Rams helping them advance to the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – in 2000. The Rams fell 42-39 in that contest to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Following the End Zone Dinner, the Hilltops will face their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, which is right next to the Gordie Howe Sports Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Single tickets for the dinner are $100 or a table of eight can be bought for $725.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on a link right here.

Clark and Canada open women’s worlds with win, other notes

An Emily Clark hockey card.

Emily Clark and her Canadian team got a big win to start their quest to repeat as champions at the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Women’s World Championship.

On Thursday at the Kvik Hockey Arena in Herning, Denmark, Canada opened preliminary round play downing Finland 4-1. Finland was the bronze medal winner at last year’s women’s worlds.

In Thursday’s clash between Canada and Finland, Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin and forward Sarah Nurse each had a goal and an assist to pace their squad to victory. Meaghan Mikkelson and Blayre Turnbull netted singles for Canada. Clark, who is an alumna of the Saskatoon Stars female under-18 AAA team, picked up an assist on Turnbull’s goal, which was scored into an empty net to round out the 4-1 final with 1:42 remaining in the third.

Defender Jocelyn Larocque picked up a pair of assists for Canada as well.

Julia Liikala netted the lone reply for Finland.

Ann-Renee Desbiens made 16 saves to pick up the win in goal for Canada, which included turning away Finnish forward Kiira Yrjanen on a penalty shot late in the opening frame.

Anni Keisala turned away 39-of-42 shots to take the setback in goal for Finland, who was also opening preliminary round play.

Canada returns to action on Saturday taking on Switzerland in Herning.

Canada captured gold at last year’s women’s worlds played in Calgary, Alta. In the tournament final played on August 31, 2021 at the WinSport Arena, Canada downed the United States in the gold medal final 3-2 in overtime with Poulin netting the winner.

This year’s women’s worlds are being held in Herning and Frederikshavn, Denmark.  The tournament runs through to Sept. 4, when the bronze and gold medal games will be played in Herning at the Kvik Hockey Arena.

• Last Saturday, Canada won gold at the IIHF’s World Junior Championship taking the tournament’s championship game against Finland 3-2 in overtime at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta. A total of 13,327 spectators were on hand to seeing Canada’s championship win.
• Most of the games at the world juniors that wrapped up in Edmonton were plagued low attendances as that event was often overshadowed by the ongoing sexual misconduct scandals involving Hockey Canada with focus on its world junior teams from the 2017-18 gold medal winning season and the 2002-03 silver medal campaign. Troubles on this front came to light on April 20 regarding Hockey Canada’s 2017-18 world junior team, and the sport governing body has seen numerous troubles pile up since that time including a freeze of funds coming from the Canadian federal government and from sponsors. Developments regarding these scandals appear set to be part of the news cycle in Canada for some time in the foreseeable future.
• Regina Thunder defensive back Adam King was named the PFC’s defensive play of the week on Wednesday. King intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble, knocked down a pass and had 3.5 total tackles as the Thunder slipped past the Winnipeg Rifles 24-22 last Sunday in Regina.
• Calgary Colts place kicker/punter Nicholas Sirleaf was named the PFC’s special teams player of the week on Wednesday. In the Colts 38-10 victory over the visiting Edmonton Wildcats last Sunday, Sirleaf made his lone field goal attempt from 41 yards out and connected on all five of his conversion attempts. He kicked off six times for 332 yards or an average of 55.3 yards per kick. Sirleaf punted the ball seven times for 240 yards or an average of 34.3 yards per punt.
• On Thursday, Mike Babcock, who is 59-years-old, stepped down as the head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Men’s Hockey team. Brandin Cote, who was the Huskies associate head coach last season and is 41-years-old, was promoted to interim head coach. Babcock became the Huskies head coach before the start of last season with plans that he would be in that role for two seasons at most. Babcock, who is a star former NHL head coach, was helping the Huskies to transition to a new permanent head coach after the team’s long time legendary head coach Dave Adolph’s retirement became official on May 1, 2021. In Babcock’s one season behind the Huskies bench, they posted a 13-7 regular season record and fell in a best-of-three Canada West Conference quarter-final series 2-1 to the University of Calgary Dinos.
• The University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team slipped past the University of Manitoba Bison 10-9 in a U Sports exhibition game on Thursday. Receiver Rhett Vavra caught a 72-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter for the Huskies from quarterback Anton Amundrud. The Huskies open their regular season on Friday, Sept. 2, when they travel to Calgary, Alta., to face the University of Calgary Dinos.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Sports scene feeling more optimistic vibes

Marie-Philip Poulin in action in November of 2018.

Marie-Philip Poulin delivered those tingly feel-good feelings to Canada.

On Tuesday night, Poulin roofed home the overtime winner to the top right corner of the United States goal to power Canada to a 3-2 comeback victory in the gold medal game of the Women’s World Hockey Championship Tournament. The win marked the first time Canada (7-0) won gold at worlds dating back to 2012.

The United States (5-2) had captured the gold medal the last five times worlds were contested.

When worlds were last held in 2019, Canada won a bronze medal.

Worlds weren’t contested in 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world.

Poulin has a history of coming through in big moments in Canada. She scored the gold medal game winning goal for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., and the gold medal overtime winning goal for Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

In Tuesday’s gold medal game at worlds, the United States took a 2-0 in the first period with forward Alex Carpenter netting both tallies.

Brooklin Fry and the Prince Albert Northern Bears are going again

Canada tied things up at 2-2 in the second as forwards Brianne Jenner and Jamie Lee Rattray netting singles.

That set the stage for Poulin to net the winner in three-versus-three overtime. Her shot went in and out of the net so fast that her goal had to be confirmed by video review.

Ann-Renee Desbiens made 23 saves to pick up the win in goal for Canada. Nicole Hensley turned away 29 shots taking the setback in goal for the United States.

Tuesday’s clash at the Winsport Arena in Calgary, Alta., was played before a gathering of family members from both teams. The International Ice Hockey Federation had women’s worlds played in a bubble format without fans as part of the event’s protocols to deal with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

The move allowed women’s worlds to get completed in 2021.

Actually, it feels like optimism is riding much higher in Canada’s sports scene than it did a year ago at this time. Unlike a year ago at this time, there are vaccines that are available to the public for COVID-19.

Due to the fact those vaccines exist, there is a bigger and realistic believe sports seasons will be played and national championships will be contested.

The Hilltops cherish their time on the field.

A year ago at this time, some in the sports scene tried to sell false hope that everything would be alright, but a back of the mind suspicion always existed that things would fall through.

One person who has noted the increased optimism is Jeff Willoughby, who is the head coach of the Prince Albert Northern Bears female under-18 AAA hockey team. The Bears held a prospects camp and a practice session for returning regulars on Sunday.

Willoughby spoke of the positive vibes to Lucas Punkari of the Prince Albert Daily Herald.

“Even going back to last fall, the anticipation level is a lot higher,” said Willoughby to Punkari. “I think there is a little more optimism compared to last season, and it’s nice to be able to think ahead on things as we’re getting closer to normal and hopefully have a full season ahead.”

If you go by Saskatoon Hilltops practice in Saskatoon, the positive vibes are flowing like in pre-pandemic times. The players, coaches and staffers seem to be cherishing the opportunity to be involved in football a little bit more than in the past.

After the 2020 CJFL season was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hilltops have played their first two regular season games in 2021.

The Saskatoon Angels will play at a big tournament this weekend.

They are looking forward to hosting their home opener against their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder on Saturday, September 11 at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The contest will be a battle between two teams with 2-0 records.

Excitement is running high at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex as the 2021 Rawlings Grand Slam Softball Championship begins there on Thursday and runs through to Sunday.  That event features nine men’s teams in the under-23 division and 10 teams in the men’s division from across Canada.

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is still going cause bumps and adjustments to the sport scene. With that said, there is a strong believe the games will be able to march on.

On that note, here are a few other observations from the sports scene.

• Morgan Willoughby was named an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Northern Bears female under-18 AAA hockey team near the middle of August. She is a former Bears captain and a recent graduate of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Hockey team. Odds are high she will make big waves in the hockey coaching scene.

• 

  Jessica Vance in action for the Huskies on February 15, 2020.

  Jessica Vance’s name can be added to the list of athletes who likely didn’t know they were playing their final game before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. On February 15, 2020, Vance made 28 saves playing goal for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Hockey team as they dropped a 1-0 decision in Game 2 of a Canada West quarter-final series to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at Merlis Belsher Place. The Thunderbirds swept the best-of-three series 2-0. Vance was the Huskies star goalie and was named the MVP of the Canada West Conference for the 2017-18 campaign. She has one season of U Sports eligibility remaining. The 2020-21 U Sports campaign was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vance kept progressing in her school studies and is now attending the University of Toronto to pursue her masters of physical therapy.
• On Tuesday night, Saskatoon Blades general manager Colin Priestner announced on Twitter long time Blades volunteer dressing room attendant Bobby Kirkness had passed away. Kirkness was battling stage 4 liver and pancreatic cancer. The Blades named their training camp tournament trophy after him in “The Kirkness Cup.” Kirkness was a true gem on the WHL circuit, and he will be missed by many.
• Back on August 18, the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets signed centre Cole Sillinger to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Blue Jackets picked Sillinger in the first round and 12 overall in the NHL Entry Draft held this past July via video conference call. If Sillinger doesn’t make the Blue Jackets, he would be returned to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers for his 18-year-old season. Last season, the Tigers loaned Sillinger to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. Sillinger had 24 goals, 22 assists and a plus-five rating in the plus-minus department in 31 games in Sioux Falls. He had 22 goals, 31 assists and a plus-19 rating in 48 games with the Tigers in 2019-20. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Sillinger crack the Blue Jackets roster this coming season.
• Yours truly is off to attend a big family wedding, so I am out of here for a short bit. See you all in about seven to 10 days.

 

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Canada smashes Sweden to open 4 Nations Cup

Marie-Philip Poulin (#29) checks Swede Hanna Olsson.

    The tune-up went as good as it could for Canada before the road gets tougher at the 4 Nations Cup.

    On Tuesday night at the SaskTel Centre, Canada’s senior national women’s hockey team opened play at the annual tourney with a 6-1 romp over Sweden, while holding a 52-18 edge in shots on goal. The Canadian side had too much depth for the Swedish side to handle.

    “I think we did play well,” said Canadian right-winger Melodie Daoust. “We do still have things to tighten up.

    “Especially in our D-zone, we just need to be more honest with ourselves and stay D-side a little bit more. I think that is going to come throughout the tournament as we go and learn to play together.

Melodie Daoust (#15) had two goals and an assist for Canada.

    “I think we did a very good job to start the tournament, but obviously, we still need to improve, and that is what Canada is all about. We need to improve every time we are on the ice.”

    Daoust had a pair of goals and an assist for Canada on Tuesday, while linemate Rebecca Johnston had four assists. Daoust netted an absolute beauty at the 6:37 mark of the third period.

    Working in the offensive zone, the Valleyfield, Que., product collected the puck behind Sweden’s net and quickly went backhand to forehand to net her second tally of the game into the open right side of the goal. That marker put Canada up 6-0.

    “I saw the little hole there,” said Daoust about her third-period goal. “I thought I was going to try it, and it worked. It was good.”

Canada celebrates a first period goal from Melodie Daoust.

    Canada methodically built a 3-0 lead in the first period. At the 8:56 mark of the opening frame, Canadian right-winger Laura Stacey banked home a beauty setup pass from defender Renata Fast on a two-on-one short-handed break to give Canada a 1-0 lead.

    Daoust netted her first of the game, and 18-year-old centre Sarah Fillier netted a single to give Canada a 3-0 edge heading into the first intermission. Canada head coach Perry Pearn said the Swedes did make things challenging for his side through the first 30 minutes.

    “We’ve watch Sweden practice, but we haven’t seen them play,” said Pearn. “We weren’t sure exactly what to expect from them.

    “Their first period, I think they impressed me with some of the things they did. They played a very good trap. It took us a little while to adjust to that, but I thought after a while, we handled the trap fairly well.

    “As we did that, we put more pressure on them in their end. I thought our third period was our best period, so I thought we adapted fairly well.”

    Pearn was pleased to get solid efforts from younger players like Fillier, 20-year-old defender Jaime Bourbonnais, 21-year-old winger Loren Gabel and 22-year-old centre Victoria Bach.

Rebecca Johnston had four assists for Canada.

    Due to the flu bug, Pearn said the Canadian side sent some players back to the hotel before Tuesday’s game started.  

    “The lineup went from having one extra forward dressed, having 13 forwards, to finishing off the game playing with 10,” said Pearn. “Certainly, the youngsters handled themselves well.”

    Canada’s lead expanded to 4-0 in the second period on a goal from Laura Fortino. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin scored at the 3:48 mark of the third to increase Canada’s edge to 5-0 and set the stage for Daoust’s second goal.

    Sweden finally broke through on the scoreboard with 3:09 to play in the third with a power-play goal from Emma Nordin, who tipped home a point shot from defender Emmy Alasalmi.

    Shannon Szabados turned away 17 shots to pick up the win in goal for Canada. Lovisa Selander turned away 46 shots taking the setback in goal for Sweden.

    Sweden returns to action on Wednesday, when they face Finland at 3 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre.

    With the tournament opener out of the way, Canada turns its focus to the anticipated heavyweight match with the United States set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre. 

Sarah Filler, an 18-year-old centre, scored for Canada on Tuesday.

    That encounter will mark the first time Canada and the U.S. have faced each other since the States claimed a 3-2 victory after a tiebreaking shootout in the goal medal final at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, last February.

    Daoust said the Canadian side kept their focus on the opener against Sweden and tried not to get ahead of themselves in thinking about the U.S.

    “We try to stay in the present,” said Daoust. “We just finished our game, so obviously, we’re focusing on the U.S. now.

    “I think recovery tonight is going to be really important for us to play a big game tomorrow. We need to be ready. I think we have the group to play against them.”

Clark issues statement on missing 4 Nations Cup due to injury

Emily Clark seen at the SaskTel Centre last Thursday.

    Saskatoon product Emily Clark issued a statement through Hockey Canada on Tuesday night regarding her disappointment in not being able to participate in the 4 Nations Cup.

    The 22-year-old forward on Canada’s senior national women’s team injured her left leg while playing for the University of Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Her injury occurred in the opening minutes of a Badgers 4-2 home win on Oct. 13 against the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

    “Although I am disappointed I am unable to play in the 4 Nations Cup, I am far more excited for my hometown and my teammates,” said Clark in the statement. “I could not be more proud to be from Saskatoon, and I’m thrilled that our journey to the 2022 Olympics is starting here.

    “I’ve told me teammates to expect great support from the fans, and I will be cheering along with the rest of Canada and following every step of the way.”

    Clark helped Canada win a silver medal at the Winter Olympics held last February in PyeongChang, South Korea. She is an alumna of the Saskatoon Stars female midget AAA hockey team.

    Before the 4 Nations Cup started, Clark made a public appearance at the home game of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades last Thursday. Last Saturday, she made a public appearance and was on hand for pre-game ceremonies as the Stars played their first Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League regular season contest at Merlis Belsher Place.

    “Our focus and priority is Emily’s health, and in working with Emily and her team, we feel that it is in her best interest to return to school for treatment and to stay on top of her studies,” said Canada’s director for women’s national teams Gina Kingsbury in the statement. “We are disappointed she will not have the opportunity to play in her hometown, but we know she is excited for the experience that is in front of our team.

    “It is always special to put on the Team Canada jersey, play on Canadian soil, and we look forward to the tournament this week.”

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.