So there are two big news stories for Saskatchewan sports fans this week.
Let’s start closest to home.
The Saskatchewan Rush went into Calgary Saturday for Game 1 in the National Lacrosse League West Division final, and for three-quarters were in tough against the hometown Roughnecks.
The game, which was thankfully picked up and broadcast on SaskTel Max since the ‘big’ sports networks in this country generally ignore this country’s national summer game even when two Canadian teams are in the west final, was a good one.
The Rush led by one after the opening quarter, held that same margin at the half 6-5, and the teams were deadlocked 8-8 through three.
In the fourth though the Rush put the pedal down, outscoring the ‘Necks 8-2 on their way to a comfortable 16-10 win.
Ben McIntosh led the Rush attack with four goals, and Mark Matthews the usual main man had what seemed like a quiet five-point night.
Saskatchewan generated 52 shots, while Aaron Bold faced 45 in a game where early on he let a couple by he would no doubt want back, but still stood out allowing only 10.
That gives the Rush a foot up on the west crown.
Game two is Saturday in Saskatoon, and bud Trevor Lyons and I are headed west for it. The building is going to be packed. The atmosphere at Rush games is incredible already, and a playoff game, the first in Saskatoon after an opening round bye, will be ‘off the hook’ as they say.
Should the Roughnecks win, then the crowd will ramp up for a deciding third 10-minute ‘mini-game’ with the winner advancing. I’m thinking we won’t see that extra game. The Rush have won every game this season with Calgary, and after watching game one it’s hard to envision the team losing in front of a barn full of Rush-aholics.
In the east its Buffalo, who had the same league-leading 13-5 record as the Rush are facing New England who won their semi-final over Georgia.
In Game One of the East final the Bandits won 15-10, which puts the Black Wolves in the backseat heading there this Saturday’s deciding juncture in Buffalo where it’s always tough to find wins.
Go Raptors
As for the second hot news I can only say ‘We the North’.
The Toronto Raptors are in the east final in the National Basketball League against Cleveland. It’s the farthest the Raps have ever gotten as a franchise, which is of course huge for the team and for the sport in Canada.
No one, myself included, gives the Raptors a sniff against the LeBron James-led Cavaliers, even after TO won two-of-three regular season meetings. The loss was however a big one 122-100 too.
The Raptors had an amazing game seven against Miami to earn the east finals berth, winning on their home court 116-89. The 116 was a franchise playoff record for points scored in a game, and came as a result of a fourth quarter where the Raps dominated 30-11.
The win showed a lot of heart. Bismack Biyombo was a beast taking minutes for injured centre Jonas Valanciunas, who sprained his right ankle in Game 3 against the Heat. Biyombo had17 points and 16 rebounds for the Raptors, in what might have been his best game ever.
The all-star duo led on offence as they must for the Raptors to roll. Kyle Lowry scored 35 points, and DeMar DeRozan had 28, showing they are among the NBA best in their positions. Maybe they are not the elite, but it would be near impossible to upgrade at either spot.
It was the second series in a row the Raptors needed a Game 7 win to advance. They are showing the wear with DeMarre Carroll and DeRozan showing some bumps.
That does not help going in against James who is among the elite in the history of the NBA, and he is still far from being over the proverbial hill, meaning he dominates when he desires too, which is generally any playoff game.
The Cavs swept the Atlanta Hawks in their semi, so they go in rested.
They topped the east, so they hold home court advantage.
They have James.
It is very much a David and Goliath situation, although it is doubtful the Raptors will find a stone for their sling to fell this giant, but ‘We the North’ will enjoy the effort.
Hockey
Now two quick notes. The National Hockey League playoffs continue. Go Blues only because as one of six teams joining the league in the fall of 1967 they are the only one remaining (California Golden Seals are long gone) not to have a Stanley Cup win — although to be completely accurate the Minnesota North Stars don’t win either, hoisting a Cup finally after moving to Dallas.
Jays struggles
And then there are our Toronto Blue Jays. The season is a quarter gone and the Jays are treading water at the .500 mark.
The reasons are not what I expected. The starting pitchers, J.A. Happ included, have been far better as a unit than anticipated.
The bullpen has struggled, which was expected.
The Jays offence however, has been terrible, and that was not what was expected. Josh Donaldon is hitting only .258. Edwin Encarnacion is .237 and Jose Bautista .217. They have 21, which extrapolates to 84 on the season, for a trio that should be hitting 115 combined.
Catcher Russell Martin is embarrassing at the plate with no homers and a .168, which I suppose is better than back-up Josh Thole’s .152.
Sadly it’s not easy to suggest what might be done to ignite the Jays who are generally five games off the pace being set by Baltimore and Boston who are dogfighting for top spot in the American League East.
Then again a .500 record and five games off the pace might suit the new TO brain trust of transplanted Cleveland brass, considering the Indians they left are .500 and five games back.
Welcome to the new status quo I am afraid.
