2012-11-23

Laval Football Dominance Continues; NHL Lock Out

The Laval Rouge et Or (Red and Gold) defeated the McMaster Marauders 37-14 in the 48th Vanier Cup. It was a rematch from last year's final in which the Marauders edged Laval 41-38 in double OT.

It was Laval's 7th Vanier Cup (in their 8th appearance) in 12 years; most all-time for Canadian university football programs. They pass the Western Ontario Mustangs (12 appearances in the finals).

What makes this achievement all the more remarkable is the football program began in 1996.

Not bad for the oldest university in Canada (est. 1663) and 2nd oldest in North America behind Harvard (1636). While we're at it, here's a list of the olders continuous universities in the world starting with Bologna. Not surprisingly the list is dominated by Italy, Germany, Spain, England and France in that order.

It has to be one of the most dominant runs in Canadian sports history and it coincides with the revival of the Montreal Alouettes who also began operations in 1996 after a 10 year absence from the CFL. The Als went on to appear in 7 Grey cup finals in ten years winning 3 since 2000.

Right now, Quebec is producing the best football in the country.

***

My take on the NHL lockout.

Let me start by saying the owners are the makers of their own bed and they should honor the contracts they gave. What's right is right.

That being said, owners can be stupid with their own money.

In a stupid lock-out where both sides are acting like clowns considering how much they make in a difficult economic environment, I have to say the players are more wrong on this one.

57% of the revenues was ludicrous to begin with. I don't care they "bring" in the money. They're not the owners and have no stake at all in the operation known as the NHL. Want more? Fork over the investment.

The NHL offered 50% (still too generous if you ask me) and the union (such an oxymoron for a bunch of millionaires) say no? Equally baffling is Fehr's blatant manipulation of the media. The interesting thing is that fans seems to be reading right through the theater tactics.

They should be glad they don't have no-guarantee contracts like in the NFL.

I haven't paid much attention but Roman Hamrlik's recent comments that have spurred anger from other players caught my attention.

As far as I'm concerned, the response from Erik Cole left me unimpressed, and comments from Ian White (calling Bettman an idiot) and Chris Kristeeg were waaaayyyyy out of line.

In the end, the owners represented by Gary Bettman are your bosses - show some respect.

Hamrlik is right. And from what I've been reading from fan comments on several sites, looks like they agree more with Hamrlik and side with the owners than they do with the union.

Meh. The NHL lost me years ago as did the Montreal Canadiens and their political games.

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