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Canada’s golden hockey effort

Shea, Brassard help Team Canada win while MacDougall adds to impressive resumé

FRED MACDONALD fiddlersfacts@hotmail.com @PEIGuardian

Team Canada dumped USA 7-2 in the gold-medal game at the FISU Winter World University Games at Lake Placid, N.Y., on Jan. 22.

UPEI’s TJ Shea dished out several hits and set up the game-winning goal by Kyle Bollers to start Canada on their way to victory. Canada’s roster included UPEI defenceman Matt Brassard.

The USA team was selected from Division 3 players.

Canada’s head coach, UNB’s Gardiner MacDougall, must be getting tired of winning as he now adds the world university tournament trophy to the Memorial Cup, which he won with Saint John Sea Dogs, and several University Cups with UNB to his collection.

It would not surprise me if Gardiner landed an NHL headcoaching job down the road.

P.E.I. hockey fans can watch Shea and UPEI as they face Acadia (8-13-2-1) at MacLauchlan Arena on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. The Panthers (15-7-11) played Saint Mary’s (16-90) on Jan. 27.

The Forbie MacPhersoncoached Panthers hope to clinch second place in the league standings, so both games are important. The regular season ends Feb. 11.

The 2023 University Cup, sponsored by Cavendish Farms, is March 16-19 at Eastlink Centre. Full tournament passes and single-game tickets are available now at the box office. Don’t be disappointed — tickets are moving quickly.

HOCKEY

While on the topic of outstanding performances by local hockey coaches, how about the job Jim Hulton is doing with the rebuilding Charlottetown Junior Islanders?

Billy McGuigan is having another great season with Western Caps; Luke Beck has been Knights’ major U18 team in first place and Kyle Dunn is doing a great job as assistant coach at UPEI. Congrats to all.

As for Hulton, in the first year of a massive rebuild, the Islanders are fighting for their playoff lives and play three road games this weekend. I am impressed with a couple of local Islanders, including Souris youngster Ross Campbell, who set up the game-winner by Covehead’s Keiran Gallant against Bathurst on Jan. 22.

Campbell and Gallant were stars of the game, although goaltender Jakob Robillard deserves honourable mention. The Islanders, with 35 points, are in a group of five to six teams from 30 to 38 points, all looking for the final two playoff spots. With Hulton, it can happen.

Commissioner Mike (Willis) Hennessey is happy with the continued competitive play in the Nooners Hockey League. Talked to goaltender Jamie Cudmore of the White team, and he misses his former defenceman Terry McKenna, who is not playing this winter.

Jamie told me he had bad luck last week as Keith (Bim) Ford had a pair in a 6-2 Reds’ win. As for the bad bounces, White blue-liners Al MacAdam and Sandy MacDonald both scored on their own goaltender Cudmore. Oh well, it’s part of the game, Jamie!

NFL

The NFL is down to four teams, and I’m not really surprised. The Prophet picked three of four, missing only on the Giants to cover.

The first game Jan. 29 is the NFC championship with the San Francisco 49ers visiting the Philadelphia Eagles, who looked great last week hammering the Giants. The Eagles are 2.5 home favourites, but I like San Francisco to win outright.

San Fran QB Brock Purdy does not turn the ball over, and that’s the key. Running against the 49er defence is dangerous, and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts could get hurt.

In the AFC, it’s Cincinnati at Kansas City, where the health and mobility of Chiefs great QB Patrick Mahomes is in doubt after suffering a high ankle sprain. He needs to be at his best. I don’t think he can be, so I’m betting the Bengals as underdog to upset at Arrowhead.

HARNESS RACING

… Live harness racing continues Jan. 28 at Red Shores with an 11-dash card at 12.30 p.m. The $3,300 feature in Race 10 features a compact but tough field from the rail out – Middleton Terror, Burn Out Hanover, Mantario, Blood Money and Stash It Away.

… Mike Slana’s Spack Jarrow has Post 6 in the $3,000 co-feature, and the drop in class should be to his liking.

… Ron MacDonald and Brent MacLellan’s Saulsbrook Victor continues to dominate the Mohawk top class and looks to extend his win streak from Post 3 in the $34,000 feature Jan. 28. Montague’s Austin Sorrie does a great job driving this son of P.E.I. sire Source of Pride. Woodmere Stealdeal leaves from Post 5 in this class, so that’s two P.E.I.breds in the Ontario feature.

… If you were hunch betting at Flamboro Jan. 22, it was a good night at the windows as P.E.I.’s Jason Ryan had a pair of winners while

Sorrie, Paul MacKenzie, Brett MacDonald and Ryan DesRoche were all in action.

… Darlene and Graham Robinson’s three-year-old Brumby was sixth in 1:55 at Yonkers last week in the $17,000 conditioned pace for driver Jordan Stratton. The four-year-old has been sold to Steve Bromberg of New York.

… Don MacRae’s very fast New Zealand-bred mare Waitforever N was second, and the beaten favourite in an $18,000 Open Mares test at Northfield, Ohio in 1:52 Jan. 21.

… Jody Jamieson and Kelly Spencer will be emcees at the red-carpet portion of the O’Brien Awards in Mississauga, Ont., Feb. 4. Jody’s pleasing personality and whit will make for an entertaining night.

SPORTS

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2023-01-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

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