THE CADRE ¢ 9

JANUARY 25, 2005

_SPORTS

Panthers back to their winning ways

Steve Simpson Contributor ~

_Early last week, the Men’s basketball Panthers swept their two games against UNB, getting back into the winning column after a slow start to 2005. In the first game of their home and home set against the Varsity Reds, they were able to down the Reds with

superb play from their veterans. Peter

Stay made a successful comeback from a broken hand as he grabbed 10 boards, while veterans Tyler Wood and Sherone Edwards paved the way with a combined 47 points. The game was close at points, but the Panthers were

able to pull away for good in the second |

half, extending the lead to 18 points at times. The second game, however, was amuch closer contest, going down into the final minutes before being decided by a three point play by veteran guard Tyler Wood with two minutes left to go. With another stellar performance, Wood received the player of the game award, notching 18 points, 7 assists and 5 boards in the win. Alongside Wood, the rest of the Panthers provided a solid support, with 3 other Panthers scoring in the double digits.

The women’s Panthers were not as fortunate as the men, but were able to split their weekend series with the UNB Reds, with a 9 point victory on the 15", followed by a4 point loss on Sunday. In the first game, the twin towers were stellar, combining for 34 points and 24 boards in the win. Just like the men, the game was close at half, but pulled ahead in the second, stretching it to 18 points. The second game, however, was not exactly poetry in motion. Both teams shot under 50 percent, with the Panthers connecting on only a quarter of their shots. The Varsity Reds were not much better,

connecting on just under 40 percent of their shots, but it proved to be enough as they squeezed out the victory 52- 48. Lindsay Coade provided another strong outing, registering another double double, with 13 boards in the losing cause.

Men’s Hockey Panthers Score Pair of Ties

In hockey action, the Men’s Panthers finished the weekend with a pair of 2- 2 ties against Dalhousie and St FX. Captain Joel Ward led the charge on Friday in a game that saw UPEI outshoot the Tigers by a very wide margin, with the total amounting to 36-6 after the first two frames. However, the game remained tied heading into the third due to some missed chances and the stellar play of Dalhousie goalie Patty Bergerin. The third period saw the Dalhousie team surge with 12 more shots and what might have been the winning goal, however a hardworking UPEI squad tied it up with six minutes remaining. The men followed up the game with a tie against St FX the following night by the same score.

Joel Ward

Hockey Season All But Lost; Time to Dwell on the Past

Liam McKenna , Sports Editor

I work at a call center, and during one of my lengthy shifts of hard, focused work, I found some time somehow to do some research on some of my all time favorite players, as well as some of those guys who I have no idea what happened to. [ also, just for fun, researched some players that I have always despised. This article posts the findings of that deep research.

_ Mark Recchi: When you hear people refer to the “Hockey Gods,” they are referring not to ancient gods of sport from Greek and Roman mythology, but to the players who have formulated their own legends by playing the game. Players like Wayne Gretzky, Maurice Richard, and Bobby Orr are all certified hockey gods (they carry the card around in their wallets, with the exception of Maurice). Mark Recchi is the Zeus of Hockey Gods. He led the Penguins in regular season scoring in 1990-1991 with 116 points, more than

- Jaromir Jagr if you're counting, and led

Philadelphia in scoring last year at the age of 36. I could write about him all day, but instead I have to talk about guys I hate, like

Andy Moog: Wow, do I ever despise this guy. I know I’m going to get it from all you die hard Moog fans (“But Liam! He had one of the greatest winning percentages in history!”). Well, Andy Moog played for the 1980s Edmonton Oilers, for the most part as a backup to Grant Fuhr. He never won a Vezina; in fact, he only won one individual award, the Jennings for save percentage, and he shared it. Grant Fuhr was an excellent goalie. Andy Moog was average at best. He went on to play for the Bruins where he lost, and the Stars, and the Canadiens, unfortunately. Then he retired in 1997. Finally. How does this guy have his own

website?

Dino Ciccarelli: This is one of those “what happened to that guy?” ones. To be honest, I have no idea, although Dino had a pretty distinguished career for a guy who played the majority of his time in the majors with a steel rod where his right femur used to be. Dino has held the record for most playoff goals and points by a rookie, as well as having the honor of being the first NHL player to be awarded a conviction on an assault charge, paving the way for more modern heroes Marty McSorley and Todd Bertuzzi. The 600 goal scorer retired amidst calls for the Hall of Fame.

_ Donald Brashear: The victim of Marty McSorley’s infamous attack has recently been charged with drunk driving and was banned from a Quebec semi-pro league for having “repeatedly punched Glen Kjernisted in the face while he was lying on the ice.” Live and learn, Donald, live and learn.

Paul DiPietro: Used to be a great player for the Montreal Canadiens when they won the Cup in ‘92-93. Shouldered much of the blame for the bad seasons that followed. Was traded and faded into obscurity, more than likely into a witness protection program to protect him from rabid Montreal fans. He could be playing in Phoenix under a different name, as they don’t even know what hockey is there.

Liam McKenna: Touted to be “The Next One” from an early age, he drew comparisons to prolific scorer Mike Bossy, with the speed of Mike Gartner and the uncanny stick handling of Alexei Kovalev. Was the complete package. Removed himself from the pressure cooker after a minor league stint in squirts, where the pressure saw his numbers drop substantially (1 goal, 3 assists in 20+ games; no goalies). Dabbled in soccer and rugby, now writes weak sports columns for the Cadre. Will forever regret his decision for an early retirement.