the mad sports man

 Canada beat Germany 6-3, and from what I heard it was too close for comfort.  Finland beat Sweden  5-4 in a shootout, USA 10 Slovakia 2 and Czech Republic 4 Switzerland 2. Quarterfinals are: Sweden vs Switzerland,  Canada vs Czech Republic (7:30 am Prince Albert time), Finland vs Slovakia and Latvia vs USA. Norway vs Germany in a best of 3 relegation series. Quarterfinals are on Tuesday. 

 Disappointing finish as Sweden beats Canada 2-0 to put Canada at two wins and a loss, while Sweden has won all three of the games. Sweden has not given up a goal yet. Canada finishes round robin Sunday vs Germany and Sweden plays Finland on Sunday.  Then the quarterfinals. 

 The 14th edition was in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from August 1-17. 42 nations and 5227 athletes competed. Juan Marichel and Pedro Martinez were on hand. Basque pelota and water-skiing returned. The mascot was named Tito.  31 nations won a medal and 16 won gold. United States won 117g, 80s, 73b = 270* total. Cuba won 72g, 41s, 39b = 152 total. Canada won 29g, 57s, 42 = 128* total. Brazil won 29g, 40s, 54 = 123. Host Dominican Republic won 10g, 12s, 19b = 41 total. (* totals are disputed).  Here is the logo for these games. 

 Oh boy Canada is now two for two after beating Latvia 10-0. No surprise there. 8 different players had goals. Carson Rehkopf and Conor Geekie had two goals. Other games had Slovakia 3 Switzerland 0 and Czech Republic 8 Norway 1. Canada plays again Friday against Sweden. 

 Germany beat Finland 5-4 and earned their first ever victory over Finland. Wow. Finland is now 0-2.

 Canada has opened with a 5-2 win over Finland. Good start so far.  Tomorrow Canada faces Latvia. Slovakia beat Czech Republic 6-2 in the first game of the day. The USA is leading Norway 3-0 and Sweden plays Latvia later.

 The 15th edition was held in Rio De Janeiro from July 13-29. 5633 athletes and 42 nations participated. 95 Pan American records were set.  Mascot was Cauè in the figure of the sun. 32 nations won a medal and 19 of them won gold. Among the golds were Antigua and Barbuda and El Salvador winning their first ones. United States led with 97g, 88s, 52b for 237 total. Cuba was 2nd in golds and 4th overall with 59g, 35s, 41b for 135 total. Host Brazil was 3rd in golds and 2nd overall with 52g  40s, 65b for 157 total. Canada was 4th in gold and 3rd overall with 39g, 44s, 55b for 138 total. Here is the logo for these games. 

  Merry Christmas to all the viewers and readers all  around the world. Hopefully time with family and good food. I hope it's a wonderful day for you.

 Winter will begin at 9:27pm tonight, making tomorrow the first full day.  Hasn't been much of one so far.  Not much for snow and not really that cold either. Christmas weekend is supposed to be pleasant as well.

 The 16th edition of the Pan American Games were held in Guadalajara, Mexico from October 14th to 30th.  42 nations and 5996 athletes participated in the games. Netherlands Antilles had been dissolved prior to these games, but were allowed to compete under the PASO flag. They haven't competed since. Rugby 7s replaced Futsal, while racquetball and basque pelota returned. Cayman Islands won its first ever gold from Brett Fraser in 200m freestyle swim. St Kitts and Nevis won its first two ever medals - both silvers.  First from Kim Collins in mens 100m in athletics. Him, along with Antoine Adams, Delwayne Delaney, Brijesh Lawrence and Jason Rogers won the silver in the 4x100m relay. United States led with 92g, 79s, 66b for 237 total. Cuba was 2nd in golds and 3rd overall with 58g, 35s, 47b for 136 total. Brazil was 3rd in golds and 2nd overall with 48g, 35s, 58b for 141 total. Host Mexico was 4th with 42g, 41s, 50b for 133 total. Canada had 30g, 40s, 49b for 119 total. Here ...

 Say this on Facebook. From August 27, 1977. The second time this has happened. Back to back inside the park home runs on consecutive pitches (only time) courtesy of the Texas Rangers. Toby Harrah and Bump Wills hit the Homer's of Yankees pitcher Ken Clay. The Rangers hit 5 homers in the game en route to an 8-2 win.  So, how about that?

 Start making plans CFL fans,  the 2024 schedule is out.  Season begins June 6 with the Grey Cup rematch with Montreal going to Winnipeg. Balanced schedule has returned where every team visits the rest of hhe league (Edmonton visits the remaining 8 teams, the 8 teams goes to Edmonton). The usual labor day games.  Ottawa visits Montreal on Thanksgiving. Regular season ends October 25/26. Division semis are on November 2nd, division finals November 9th, the 111th Grey Cup in Vancouver is November 17th.

 Was at the Raiders game last night znd they beat Kamloops 3-1. Was a pretty good game.  Max Hildebrand made 37 stops in the win.  In between intermissions and after each stoppage was all sorts of giveaways for the 12 days of Christmas. After the game Easton Kovacs, Grady Martin, Matej Kubiesa, Krzysztof Macias and Doogie Pederson were signing autographs in the foyer. By ghe way, I've been to 4 games and the Raiders win all of them.

 ...Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The NBA player helped Canada's basketball team qualify for the upcoming Olympics. The Northern Star award is for Canada's athlete of the tear. Shai is the second basketball player to win the award. The first was Steve Nash. 

 Let's see, what happened? Went to a Prince Albert Raiders game vs Calgary and the Raiders won 4-3. Saturday was the usual work followed by laundry, finishing the 1973 NHL quarterfinals, some vacuuming, watched Mrs Brown's boys, Rudolph red nosed reindeer znd kept an eye on the hockey. Today was NFL stats, work and more Mrs Brown's boys. Nap time.

 Boy oh boy was it ever. Had some freezing rain overnight and into today. Was quite the icy walk to and from work. Was a little better coming home.  There was some snow in the forecast. Just looked outside and no snow. First 2-4cm, then 5-10cm forecast. None here. It's going to be icy tomorrow.

 We'll start with Christine Sinclair. She played her 331st and final international game with Canada as they beat Australia 1-0 in a friendly. 190 international goals on top of that. Two Olympic bronzes (2012 and 2016) and an Olympic gold (2020). Her first game was in 2000.  An amazing career (and I met her). Went to city hall for the first annual Christmas tree lighting. Some of the Raiders, McIntosh Lumberjacks and Northern Bears hockey teams were there. Plus hay rides pulled by horses, hot chocolate and candy canes as well.  Lots of fun.  So about last night.....

 Well hello December, what's up? What you're the last month of the year?  Yikes. What else?  Lots of hockey? Sure. I can add: 1. 25 days of Brooks Holt and girlfriend Elisha playing mini golf. 2. The Vinyl Cafe advent calendar. From yesterday to Christmas eve, Jess Milton puts a clip of a Dave and Morley story on Instagram and you can listen to the whole story on YouTube. 3. An episode of Mrs Brown's Boys from yesterday to Christmas day. 4. Chocolate advent calendars. 5. The Saturday Christmas shows.  I watch Elf (viewed today), Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Charlie Brown Christmas every Saturday up to Christmas eve and a Christmas Carol on Christmas eve.  I think I have it covered. Boxing day is the start of the world juniors. And the 1973 NHL playoffs are being played. December will be here and gone before we know it. Enjoy.