TEARS OF JOY

I happened to have the good fortune of being able to watch some of the Women's Southerns over the weekend at the Highland Curling Club. Here's a group of gals out on the ice for the love of the game. Sure, its uber competitive on the pebbled surface, but not so much that the teams don't exchange the odd chuckle with each other. But it was the smiles that turned to tears that made me stand up and take notice. In a game between Sherrilee Orsted and Mandy Selzer you had two rinks looking to get to the Provincial Scott for the first time ever. The nerves were there on both sides throughout the game but in the end it was Orsted's 4 in the 9th that sealed her trip to Swift Current. Selzer (former World Jr. Silver Medalist) was gracious in defeat. Orsted having clinched the biggest victory in her 25 years of curling was humble in victory. And then the Estevan foursome came together and the tears began to flow. The true reaction of jubilation could be measured in ounces as the salty clear liquid rolled down their cheeks. Witnessing the true joy that sport can give is nothing short of a miracle. On the next sheet of ice Cathy Trowell had just put the finishing touches on her win that would grant passage to Speedy Creek. Her celebration was a little more reserved, discussing a shot from earlier in the end. You see, for Trowell this is old hat and her cheers are for a much bigger prize. But for Sherrilee Orsted, Candace Newkirk, Christine Massier and Kristen Schlamp, this is as new as the skin on a baby's bum. And the four left the ice weeping like newborns!

NFL WRAP
Well, are you shocked? For the second straight year an NFC team is seemingly catching the proverbial 'Lightning in a Bottle' and making a run (or pass in the Cardinals case) to the Superbowl. Last year the Giants came out of nowhere to win the whole damn thing over the favoured patriots. So don't be blown away when Arizona is lifting the Lombardi trophy. Why not? The Steel Curtain? Maybe. But isn't Jim Johnson (Eagles D Coordinator) supposed to be the best in the world? Maybe he should have checked out some old Rams hilites of Kurt Warner. Maybe he should have checked the media guide and read a thing or two about Larry Fitzgerald. Quick tip for Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. DON'T BLITZ...DON'T PLAY MAN TO MAN! Just a thought.

-----------------------

Is Donovan McNabb this generation's Jim Kelly? Just wondering.

-----------------------

CASH FOR OIL
Nice of the Edmonton Oilers to put the Glenn Anderson jersey retirement on Pay Per View so that we had to shell out cash to honor a hockey idol. The money grubbing has gone far enough. Oh yeah, that's right, I idolized Andy back in the day. Newsflash Oil: I'm a die hard like no other, but your team has been inconsistent and a bunch of under achievers since they over achieved in 2006. When the schedule comes out, maybe try and give me a reason to watch, not a reason to roll my eyes at your latest attempt to make a dollar. Brutal. Do I recall the Messier retirement on Sportsnet?

And another thing. The league needs to step in on this one. How often does Gretzky and the Coyotes have to go through this? It seems that every time the Desert Dogs head to the Big Onion that the team is subjected to some ritual to honor one of the Great One's old buds. Shane Doan must be getting sick and tired of standing their watching Paul Coffee or Anderson take a victory lap. Good news is that really only Kevin Lowe's #4 is the only one left to hoist to the rafters.