This, it has to be said, was another tremendous week to be from BC. It was also, as is the case with yours truly, a tremendous week to be transplanted to BC because I’ve got to tell you, as a Sports Fan – BC just flat out got it right this week. As much as I am sad that I can no longer put off cleaning and storing the clubs for the winter – because you just never know when you might get that perfect November day – the city of Vancouver and indeed the province which we all know and love, put a stamp of redemption on the Canadian sporting map this past week. For only the 3rd time in history – the others being in 1973 and 2007 in Toronto – Vanier Cup and Grey Cup got to share a field, a city and this year, the nervous eyes of a Canadian viewing public for a weekend.

Photo: Contributed

While Travis Lulay was toppling perennial favorite, cancer survivor, first ballot Hall of Famer and all-around legend Anthony Calvillo for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award a young man from Surrey got to share the stage.  For those unfamiliar, this is Brett Michael William “Call Me Billy” Greene and that large chunk of hardware is the Hec Crighton Trophy presented to Canada’s top collegiate football player. That honour this year goes to the QB of the 6-2 UBC Thunderbirds, a young man who has suffered through a career record of 5-19 up until this year. A wonderful turn-around and a testament to homegrown perseverance. I’m not sure whether or not Greene has a future in the CFL but each time I glance at this picture it does seem as though he’s giving Lulay that ‘you have my dream job’ look. Time will tell, young grasshopper, time will tell.

While Vanier gave us an outstanding 47th version ending in McMaster’s 2OT victory (41-38) over a highly favoured Laval on Friday night (let’s be honest this game stole the show), for BC fans the real prize loomed on Sunday afternoon. Downtown Vancouver was a sea of well-behaved orange as Mayor Gregor finally, yes finally came to the realization that his city is a growing cultural metropolis and not a town of 100 people with the same last name where filling the town centre with outdoor TVs  and extended bar hours might actually be a good idea. Ironically, this led to a wonderful family-type atmosphere from all accounts and although Fans were understandably boisterous after the Lions 34-23 win only very few minor incidents were reported. The game itself was not a game that had one perched on the edge of one’s seat until say… the 4th quarter and but for an on-side sick that came up a scant 3 yards short this might have been an entirely different take on the weekends events. Kudos to the Bombers for refusing to go quietly and to the Lions for playing a full 60 until the final whistle. My own personal favorite moment of the day though had to be closing interviews and especially with Lions’ OL and Simon Fraser grad Angus Reid. This man dominates camera time and the trenches and you just have to know that somewhere there is a Canadian Flag tattooed on his body! On a sad note, Bombers DL Doug Brown hung his cleats up for the last time and retires without a Grey Cup to his name after a stellar career. Football’s loss will be journalism’s gain… catch his column’s for Winnipeg Free Press.

Photo: Contributed

With the football festivities out of the way, let us now turn our attention to matters on the ice and a topic near and dear to my heart – the Vancouver Canucks!  It appears as though, much like the Champs, the dreaded hangover from Lord Stanley is coming to an end. With the Lions now safely out of the public consciousness for more than a few months, the entire focus shifts towards the trials and tribulations of the province’s one true love – the Canucks. While the Provincial newspaper has been sharpening the skates and polishing the boots of Gillis’ boys all year, brazenly refuting that a certain soon-to-be Hall of Famer and BC native (Mark Recchi) might actually have been making some valid points in his recent Canucks assessment, it seems that a secret ingredient has been injected into the pre-game meal. Can I get me some Schneider Soup and a Hallelujah?! 

There are two schools of thought here – a starter should never lose his job because of an injury and/or you run with the hot hand. Here is the answer – since November 16th when they lost 5-1 to the hated ‘Hawks, Vancouver is 4-0, 13 Goals For and only 3 Goals Against. Yes, I know it feels wrong to sit Luongo and his ridiculous contract on the bench (they take up 2 seats on a plane) but I want a goalie between the pipes that wins and right NOW that guy is Cory Schneider. Bored bloggers have debated the idea of this move ‘splitting the locker-room’ – between who exactly – the players who want to win and the players who don’t? This should make it easier… NHL 2nd Star of the Week – Cory Schneider!  As I see it, here’s a chance for Mike Gillis to earn his keep. Can he find a way to trade Luongo and his contract or is every other GM too smart to sign up for that?  OK, maybe not the Islanders who have M*A*S*H* unit resident Rick DiPietro under contract until sometime after Survivor finally goes off air, whenever that will be. Until next time I bid you adieu.