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Congratulations to Saskatchewan’s Team Holland for becoming the 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts champions!

After a strong week and finishing first in the standings, team Saskatchewan lost in the 1-2 playoff game to Jennifer Jones’ team Canada.  Team Saskatchewan then had to earn their place in the championship game by beating the young upstart team from Ontario.  With a nail biting steal in the 10th end, Amber Holland’s team ensured their place next year in the tournament as Team Canada by beating Jennifer Jones’ team.  That means that next year there will be two Saskatchewan teams at the Scotties.

Amber also added MVP of the tournament to her resume.

Good luck in Esbjerg, Denmark at the World Championships starting March 18, 2011.

Skip: Amber Holland
Third: Kim Schneider
Second: Tammy Schneider
Lead: Heather Kalenchuk
Fifth: Jolene Campbell
Coach: Merv Fonger

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The Chicago Blackhawks are one win away from going to their first Stanley Cup appearance in 18 years. Did you know that the Chicago Blackhawks NHL franchise actually has originating ties back here to Saskatchewan?

From 1921-1925 Regina was home to the Regina Capitals of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL). In the first year as a team, the Regina Capitals won the league championship. However, a few years later in 1925, plagued by debt and bleeding money, the Capitals moved south to Oregon becoming the Portland Rosebuds. The league also changed its name to the Western Hockey League (WHL), since American teams were now in the league as well. The move did not help the team at all, in fact the entire league folded after the 1925/1926 season.

The players from the Rosebuds did get another chance as they were picked up in 1926 to join a new team and new league. The Chicago Blackhawks bought all the Rosebuds player rights for $100,000. Chicago’s inaugural NHL season was 1926. They would later become known as part of the ‘Original Six’ teams in the NHL.

The Chicago Blackhawks have won three Stanley Cups in 1934, 1938 and 1961.

If you are undecided about who to cheer for this year, feel free to jump on the bandwagon and cheer on a team that has its roots in Saskatchewan.

Go Hawks Go!

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Today’s Roughrider win in Edmonton was not their best effort, but it got the job done.  It was the largest crowd ever in Edmonton Eskimo history for a regular season game – 62,517.  My question is: How many of those were Saskatchewan fans?

It became evident early on in the broadcast, when you could clearly hear cheering for each Roughrider first down that there were a lot of Roughrider fans at the game.  Then with time winding down and Edmonton trying to push down the field, the crowd noise was deafening.  TSN actually showed a decibel meter that read 95.  Roughrider crowd noise helps the home team tremendously at Mosaic stadium, but now on the road, the crowd is actually helping win games.  I am sure the noise was a factor in an Edmonton false start which brought up 3rd down and a 5 yard penalty.  After that, Edmonton turned the ball over on downs and the Riders ran out the clock.

Rider fans must be the most dedicated and supportive of all the Canadian football clubs.  Roughrider merchandise outsells all the other CFL teams put together.

So here’s to you Rider fans, keep cheering at home and away.  The Rider’s can always use the help of the 13th man.

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