VW is a Angel

Yes, you read that correctly, according to Ken Rosenthal of ESPN, Mike Wilner (official reporter for the Jays) and the Drunks at DJF, Vernon Wells and cash is getting packed up and sent to Anaheim in return for Juan Rivera and Mike Napoli. Alex Anthopolous said he was committed to making deals that made sense, and this (to me) proves it.

Napoli brings the versitility of Catching, playing 1B and DH. A highly useful tool for a team without those three positions. More reaction to follow

UPDATE: Here's how I see the positions being filled as of right now: Napoli/Arencibia (C), Napoli/Lind (1B), Hill (2B), E5 (3B) and a combo of Lind, Bautista, Davis, Snider and Rivera in the Outfield. DH? Napoli, and all the outfielders are viable options IMO.

UPDATE: With Manny and Damon, according to many sources, off the market and hitting HR's off the roof in Tampa, it appears that the Jays are done their blockbuster dealing. Having said that, I, along with all other sports reporters in this country, have NO idea what AA has up his sleeves now. Also breaking(ish) is the fact that the Angels are not getting cash back, just the straight up contract of Wells ($86 million left on his contract).

Eagles/Outlaws Preview

Tomorrow night, the Outlaws will take the ice in St. Walburg to battle the league leading Eagles. Here are my keys for each team:

Outlaws (11-4) :

• Stop the Gretzky line: The Eagles have 4 players in the Top 10 leaders in points, with Aaron Goldade leading the league with a average of 4.20 PPG.
• Low Bridges: Bryan Bridges may well be in goal after a early season injury, so that means the job of scoring could get a lot harder. throw everything you have at him. As Tim Micallef says "i'ts not how, it's how many"

Eagles (12-3) :

• Deep watering hole: While the home team has one unreal line, the Outlaws can get you on three lines. They have 5 players in the top 20, three in the top 10 point-getters
• Nail Up the plywood: The Outlaws (stats-wise) has the best goalie in the league. To be successful, you need to close the door. Simple as that, unless you face a potent offense like the Outlaws

What Minor Hockey?

Among the rarites in hockey, including a Gretzky card from his St. Louis days, is not having any home hockey whatsoever in a weekend. This turns out to be one of these upcoming weekends. However, I will be everywhere yet again. Thursday night, Access 7 will be in town to broadcast, on the local North Battleford TV station, the game between the Battlefords North Stars and the Estavan Bruins.

Saturday night, I'll be once again heading up to St. Walburg, this time to watch the Outlaws play on the road vs the Eagles. Possible pre-game post coming up.

Provincial Card is out

Well, the provincial match-ups have been posted, and for your enjoyment, I'll reveal to you the Outlaws' (on all levels) encounters.

Senior Outlaws: They play the Kerrobert Tigers in a two game/total goal series, to be completed by Feb. 14th. They also have the home ice advantage.

Midget Outlaws: They received a 1st round bye, but they encounter the Martensville Marauders, to be completed by Feb. 9th, with Martensville having home ice advantage.

Bantam Outlaws: They play the Maidstone Jets in the 1st round, to be completed by Jan. 27th. The Outlaws own home ice advantage.

View from the Booth pre-game.

The puck drops in about 3 1/2 hours on the only game this weekend in Wilkie. The bantams host the Kyle/Beechy team, and it being the only game, we'll do a Stars-style pre-game.

Both teams (I'm expecting) are probably going to need this game to sweat all the turkey out that was eaten during the holidays. Look for a few key plays to make the game for one team or break the teams confidence.

Keys for Wilkie:

-Crisp passes: Game one of the new year is always tough, but the standard "keep your head up, kid" saying should be in the back of every players mind.

-Help your goalie: Don't leave him hang out to dry. Defense wins games.

Keys for Kyle/Beechy:

-Contain: Wilkie's a speedy team. Containing the speed will ultimately let you cause turn-overs.

-Short shifts: Because of their speed, putting in your 4o second shifts will mean so much more then just letting the next guy on the ice.

Puck drops at 6pm.

Quiet Weekend

This weekend is a quiet weekend at the SaskCan Arena, with just the Bantam team playing a thursday night tilt. Special pre-game post to be coming soon.

Heading to Edam.

Tonight, with the lack of local hockey happening over the holidays, I'll be heading up to Edam tonight with Dan O'Connor to watch the 3 Stars take on the Spiritwood Timberwolves. Game time is 8:30pm on CJNB.