Canadian Crossing

NHL Network temporarily forgets about Hockey Night in Canada

Did you turn on the NHL Network last night hoping to see Montréal at Toronto? They weren't there. Neither was the second half of the doubleheader (that would have aired today) with Edmonton @ Vancouver.

That's right. Hockey Night in Canada happened but the NHL Network didn't carry the games, nor will they next week. The NHL Network is showing a bunch of IIHF games featuring teams from countries from around the world.

If there were two feeds, of course, the NHL Network would likely show HNIC, but to be fair, we should point out that it is the NHL Network, not junior hockey network.

So we get an unforced break from Don Cherry, After Hours, the Hot Stove, and, of course, Peter Puck.

A few weeks back, the NHL Network showed a live exhibition of women's hockey, tape-delaying the early game until Sunday morning.

I love how the NHL Network brings me HNIC without having to pay for Center Ice, but I would like it to be on consistently. And if I can keep on nit-picking, when they show the second half tape-delayed, they show the results at the bottom of the screen. It's not fair to try and watch the game and hope you don't see the results of the game. An element of surprise makes the experience more enjoyable.

Hopefully, the NHL Network will return to the NHL (i.e., HNIC) on January 9 when Sidney Crosby brings his Pittsburgh Penguins to Toronto and Calgary will be at Vancouver.

Happy Boxing Day!!

Happy Boxing Day!! A traditional holiday in Canada, but not the United States. These days, in Canada, the day signifies mostly buying presents you didn't get for Christmas.

And the day has nothing to do with pugilism.

This is also a reminder that as we come close to entering the new year, we have 48 days remaining until the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Toronto loses Roy Halladay to Philadelphia, losing even more relevancy in MLB

The focus of MLB's off-season has been north of the border. Baseball coming back to Montréal? Vancouver will finally get a team?

No such luck: the major players have been fighting to see which team gets the carcass, er, services of one of baseball's best pitchers, Roy Halladay.

Halladay has pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays for his entire career. But given the potential for free agency, and how non-NY and non-Boston have limited potential to win in the American League East, Halladay wanted to pitch for a team that had a shot at winning the World Series.

Toronto almost traded him in the middle of the season, but that proved too distracting, setting up the hype in the off-season.

As you may have guessed, Toronto traded Halladay in a 4-team deal. Philadelphia acquired the right-hander, sending back three minor leaguers: pitcher Kyle Drabek (son of former major leaguer Doug Drabek), catcher Travis D'Arnaud, and outfielder Michael Taylor (Taylor was later traded to Oakland for corner infielder Brett Wallace).

We could do an analysis on whether Toronto got enough back for Halladay (they didn't), but this isn't about that.

The current structure of baseball allows for very little chance of making the playoffs if you are a team in the AL East, unless you are the Yankees or the Red Sox. Yes, the Tampa Bay Rays went to the World Series in 2008, and Baltimore made the playoffs in 1996 and 1997, but they have been the exception, not the rule.

It's no mistake that Toronto's playoff record was much more active before the 1994 strike. Two of the hottest tickets in all of baseball in 1994 were in Toronto and Montréal (with the Expos). Baseball salaries exploded, and without a salary cap (and issues with the Canadian dollar), Canadian teams suffered even more than a lot of U.S. teams. 

The Expos were forced out of the game, and Toronto, while remaining vital, has lost relevancy on and off the field. The vultures, the high salary teams, in the current system view good players on poor teams as targets, biding their time until they can pick one off for little or nothing in return. Adding insult to insult, Toronto didn't get enough back for Halladay, yet they still have to give Philadelphia $6 million in 2010 for part of Halladay's contract.

The media that covers baseball, ESPN in particular, sees the "lesser" teams as "why don't they trade their players to the good teams" instead of asking why the system isn't set up better so more teams can compete.

There is no coincidence that Toronto was in the playoffs 4 of the last 5 years before the 1994 strike and zero appearances since. Having what many considered the best starting pitcher in baseball wasn't enough. Now that the Blue Jays don't have Roy Halladay, they won't get any better. And as an added insult, their relevance is even reduced because they don't have the best pitcher in baseball. 

With the World Baseball Classic, baseball seemingly wants to encompass the world with its sport. But the way they have treated Canada, MLB shows it could do a lot more at home first. 

NFL Network sharply underscores value of NFL game in Toronto

The second regular-season NFL game in Canada had a chance to showcase Canada in a positive light, thanks to national TV exposure.

Last year's Buffalo Bills in Toronto NFL game was offered regionally on CBS, to western New York state (Buffalo) and southern Florida (Miami). But this year's Bills in Toronto matchup offered the perk of a team in the top market in the United States (New York Jets), and a national audience, albeit for those who get the NFL Network on cable as well as the Buffalo area and New York City through over-the-air simulcasts of the NFL Network coverage.

There were beautiful skyline shots of downtown Toronto. The weather was dry, and though the roof of the Rogers Centre was closed, you still saw plenty of the majestic skyline, topped off by the world's (for the moment) tallest free-standing structure.

The announcers did share some about Toronto: Color commentator Matt Millen talked on and on about the restaurant in the CN Tower. Play-by-play announcer Bob Papa talked about Nathan Phillips Square skating rink. Then Millen made a crack about a square skating rink. Millen clearly misheard Papa but no one corrected him.

There wasn't anything that I followed on the Bills being in Toronto, playing a game outside the country, the CFL and its Toronto Argonauts. Not even that much of a reference to be in a foreign land during the broadcast.

I was hoping for more local color and flavor, even the attempts to tailgate or show the fans dressed up just outside the stadium. Nothing. I was disappointed mostly since I thought the NFL and its NFL Network would want to showcase Toronto.

This was only the second NFL regular-season game ever played in Canada, and it was treated almost as if they were in San Diego.

The crowd was into the game. They did show enthusiastic fans sitting at the top of the rafters, so that was a good sign.

I didn't hear the call from CBS for last year's game (saw it in a bar), but the excitement of playing a game in a foreign country seemed lost on the folks at the NFL Network.

There was one somewhat shining light at the end of the game.

At the end of the game, sideline reporter Jason La Canfora interviewed New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis:

La Canfora: "How did you like it up here in Toronto? Was it a pretty cool experience for you guys coming up to Canada?"

Revis: "Yeah, this is my first time going outside the country. Got my passport for the first time, so it was a good time."

See, there was a story involving Canada that was relevant. A professional football player's first time with a passport. Those players who have been in the U.S. college International Bowl (also held at Rogers Centre in Toronto) may have had the same experience, but established professional players are more likely to travel outside the U.S. Too bad the NFL Network didn't work harder to find the easy story.

Grey Cup follow-up; NFL in Toronto preview

I've written about the Grey Cup the last few years, but this one was more memorable. True, the game was exciting, especially at the finish. 

But Montréal's win took on more significance because I had seen them in person for the first time this year.

I have followed the Alouettes, especially QB Anthony Calvillo, WR Ben Cahoon, and K Damon Duval, for some time, and always enjoyed watching them play Canadian football.

But these three have been at this for quite awhile. I made it a mission to see them play together for Montréal at least one time in person.

When you play at a stadium that only seats 20,000, getting a ticket isn't easy. But I managed to get a ticket against Toronto this past August. The fact that Montréal shutout Toronto, a rare feat in the CFL, was that much sweeter. 

I loved getting to chant "Ca-hooooooooooon" when he caught a pass. I cheered when Calvillo and Duval put points on the board.

Now that the Alouettes are once again CFL champs, there has been speculation that these players -- along with longtime offensive lineman Bryan Chiu -- might not be together that much longer. So getting to see them together is that much nicer a memory now that they won the Grey Cup in the same year I saw them live.

There might be a similar parallel to seeing the Montréal Expos at home at the end of the last season they played all their home games in Montréal (2002). They moved after the 2004 season, playing some home games in the last two years in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I'm proud that I got to see an Expos home game before they left for good.

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A reminder that the Buffalo Bills in Toronto series continues Thursday night when the Bills "host" the New York Jets at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. If you have the NFL Network, you can watch it in the comfort of your home. If not, find a bar and go watch.

The game is "sold out" but if you are nearby, you will likely find a ticket rather easily.

Montréal pulls out Grey Cup, 13 men too many for Saskatchewan

The Super Bowl may be the biggest pro football game of the year, but Super Bowls aren't as exciting as the finish to this year's Grey Cup. Saskatchewan thought it hung on to edge Montréal in the Grey Cup as the Alouettes missed a game-winning field goal attempt.

However, the Roughriders had 13 men on the field. CFL rules allow for 12, as opposed to 11 in the NFL. 

The second attempt, a 33-yard field goal try, was successful and Montréal won its second Grey Cup in this decade, 28-27 in Calgary.

The Alouettes trailed the entire game until the winning play, and were down 27-11 late in the fourth quarter. Montréal pulled to within 27-25, but missed the two-point convert.

Montréal went into the game with a 1-5 record in Grey Cup games in the 2000s. The Alouettes beat Edmonton in 2002 for their only previous victory. 

Watched the game with some ex-pats, but there was a twist this year. There were people from the Montréal area who happened to be in Chicago who joined us. Those that stayed to the end were greatly rewarded.

Blue Rodeo played the halftime this year, though the feed from ESPN360.com did not include the halftime show.

Next year's Grey Cup, the 98th, will be in Edmonton on November 28, 2010.

U.S. journalist detained at Canadian border, asked whether she would talk about Olympics

U.S. journalist Amy Goodman had an adventure in Canada before she even left the border patrol. Goodman was detained by border guards.

This happens as visitors cross between the two countries, but as anyone who has crossed for the last 8 years or so, knows that crossings are tougher now.

Goodman, who was scheduled to speak in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, was asked about what she was going to speak on during her lectures.

The list seemed rather detailed: missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, Tommy Douglas, a Canadian who led the fight for single-payer health care in Canada, global warming, and the economic catastrophe.

But the border guards, according to Goodman, were fixated as to whether she would talk about the Olympics. Goodman naively asked whether they meant Obama going to Copenhagen to try and get the 2016 Summer Games for his native Chicago.

The border guards thought she was going to talk about the upcoming games in Vancouver.

They went through her notes and computers as well as those from her colleagues. 

Even if Canada doesn't have the same theoretical "Freedom of Speech" as the United States does, there are still no excuse for detaining someone on the thought that they might speak out against the Olympic Games. Doing so doesn't make them a threat to Canada or the world at large.

Goodman is one of those "anti-establishment" journalists. If Katie Couric or Charles Gibson were at the Canadian border, they wouldn't receive this level of harassment.

The U.S. has become more extreme in its border actions, especially against Canadians. So there is sympathy for Canada's stance in response. But this behavior is inexcusable. A strike against freedom of the press shouldn't be a casualty of border skirmishes.

Watching CFL on the computer; Montréal, Saskatchewan in Grey Cup

The team I've been following all season, the team I went out of my way to see live in person this year -- the Montréal Alouettes, are one win away from a Grey Cup championship.

Montréal won the East, beating a Western team -- the B.C. Lions 56-18 -- at Olympic Stadium in Montréal. The Alouettes will take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 27-17 winners of the West over the Calgary Stampeders, last year's Grey Cup champs.

Saskatchewan won the Grey Cup in 2007, and Montréal lost last year to Calgary, so the top teams are definitely in the championship.

I watched the division championships on ESPN360.com. Though my cable company carries early season games, it stopped long ago carrying the games this year.

I started watching the early game (East final) after it had started. I went in from the beginning, but somewhere about the early 3rd quarter, the feed stopped and switched to the late game (West final). Other than that hitch, the hookup was successful. In the greater effort to find myself technologically in the late part of the first decade of the 21st century, I ran the laptop through the HD TV with an HDMI cable.

So even though it was through the computer, I watched the games on my television.

Versus carried last year's Grey Cup, but it doesn't look like the channel will carry the game this year. The current schedule for Versus is "Karate Kid II." TSN will carry the game live in Canada. I will be watching the feed with some Canadian ex-pats.

The Grey Cup will be in Calgary with halftime musical guest Blue Rodeo. Kickoff will be sometime after 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.

There are some U.S. sports cable channels that will carry the TSN feed. And you can catch the feed on ESPN360.com. I might recommend watching it live or waiting until the replay is ready.

If you want a nice slice of Canada, watching the Grey Cup is a good place to begin the journey.

Colbert kicks off Canadian letter drive over speedskating access

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Sport Report - Cricket Scandal & Letter-Writing Campaign
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Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

A follow-up to a previous take on the ongoing "battle" between TV host Stephen Colbert and Canada over access to the Richmond Olympic Oval.

CBC aired a story and in the piece, a young child said, "Stephen Colbert is a baig baby." Of course, the Colbert Report picked up that quote.

Even Colbert admits Canada did offer the U.S. speedskating team access to the ice. Still it makes for "good TV."

The TV show is running a letter drive to get more access for the U.S. team.

The "Colbert Report" airs Monday-Thursday on Comedy Central (Comedy Channel and CTV in Canada).

CFL Playoffs All Set to Go

For the fifth time ever and the second year in a row, the CFL playoffs have a crossover team. If the 4th-place team in one division has a better record than the 3rd-place team of the other division, that team crosses over to the other division's playoff.

Last year, Edmonton became the first team to win a crossover, beating Winnipeg. This year, the BC Lions -- the only team in the playoffs with a losing record -- will crossover and play at Hamilton. The other first-round game will be Edmonton at Calgary.

Montréal and Saskatchewan earned first-round byes.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Flames tied for first place; Edmonton and BC were tied before the last game. The only team in the league that had no real chance was the Toronto Argonauts.

The trend away from postseason games in domed stadiums is now official. Used to be that Montréal, Toronto, and BC would host postseason games. Toronto misses the playoffs again and BC can't host a game. Montréal plays key games at Olympic Stadium, so the East final will be indoors, but that is the only one. And next year, BC will be back to playing outdoors as BC Place will be rehabbed -- though the facility will be used to open and close the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

The 97th Grey Cup will be November 29 in Calgary. TSN carries the game in Canada; hopefully, Versus will rise to the occasion and simulcast the TSN feed in the United States.