Outdoor sports on TV offers a chance for people to see a place that they might not otherwise know about. True, travel shows accomplish the same point, but sports offers the advantages of travel shows to an audience that would otherwise not watch.
The Maritimes get the short end of the stick in Canada, if you don't factor in the native people. The spotlight rarely shines on them, except for an occasional book or movie (Anne of Green Gables, The Shipping News) or a fluke TV show appearance (Regis and Kelly in Prince Edward Island). Even within the Maritimes, New Brunwsick doesn't get much press.
And when it comes to sports, they aren't in the NHL or CFL, so American sports fans have little clue about this area of Canada.
Touchdown Atlantic exists to showcase the Maritimes as a potential CFL destination, but Sunday's game in Moncton, New Brunswick also gives sports fans a chance to see a part of Canada they would otherwise have to Google.
The last Sunday in September is the timeslot for Touchdown Atlantic. In 2010, Edmonton downed Toronto 24–6 on the strength of 6 interceptions. This year, Hamilton is the home team as they "host" Calgary.
The subplot this year is that Moncton is pushing to get Hamilton to play its games in Moncton in 2013 as Ivor Wynne Stadium is remodeled for the new stadium tied into the 2015 Pan American Games. (Why and how Hamilton screwed up its stadium situation is worth 2-3 blog posts.)
New Brunswick is that part of Canada that is glued next to Maine. The province is the only constitutionally bilingual province in Canada. New Brunswick is thick with Acadians and celebrates that fact each summer; New Orleans and Louisianians have a rich history of Acadians as well.
If Moncton ever got a CFL team, the team would likely represent the entire region of the Maritimes. While Halifax is the largest city in the region, Moncton is more conveniently located to the surrounding area.
For those in the U.S. who want to see this part of New Brunwsick, fire up the computer since this game isn't part of the NFL Network TV deal. Since the game is on a Sunday, the NFL Network isn't in an ideal position to carry the game. So if your ISP allows you access to ESPN3.com, you can watch the game via your computer.
Kickoff is 1 pm Eastern, 2 pm Atlantic, and 10 am Pacific on TSN. To the two teams, Touchdown Atlantic, Moncton, New Brunswick, and the Maritimes, bonne chance and good luck!
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