Sports in 2008 featured many unforgettable achievements. A little known Hazelton wrestler won gold at the Olympics plus provincial championships for the UNBC Lady Timberwolves, and the Cariboo Cougars. Naturally, there were also some events that were not so memorable. Here are some of these stories that caught my eye over the last 12 months:

 

January: Make it four and going for more. Canada edged Sweden 3-2 in overtime for its 4th straight gold at the World Junior Hockey championship.

 

February: Super Bowl #42 was one of the best ever as the NY Giants, in a massive upset, rallied for a 17-14 triumph over New England, ending the Patriots 18 game winning streak.

March: The UNBC Lady Timberwolves became BCCAA women's basketball champions on home court after a 71-54 victory over Camosun in the provincial final.

The Cariboo Cougars went 6-0 in the playoffs for their first BC Major Midget Hockey League championship.

 

April: In a bold move, the Vancouver Canucks fired GM Dave Nonis and replaced him with
player agent Mike Gillis.

 

Edmonton’s Kevin Martin finally earned his first Men's World Curling Championship, skipping Canada to a 6-3 victory over Scotland.

 

The CNC Board of Governors chopped its BCCAA volleyball and badminton programs.

May: Tragedy struck the Vancouver Canucks as 21-year-old defenceman Luc Bordon was killed in a motorcycle accident in New Brunswick.

 

The Spokane Chiefs gave the WHL its 18^th Memorial Cup thanks to a 4-1 victory over the host Kitchener Rangers.

June: The Detroit Red Wings celebrated their 4th Stanley Cup in 11 years knocking off the Pittsburgh Penguins 4 games to 2.

The Boston Celtics returned to glory with their 17^th NBA title, by defeating the LA Lakers in six games.

 

In one of the best golf performances ever, Tiger Woods, despite a throbbing knee that required surgery, took his 3^rd US Open and 14^th major, edging Rocco Mediate in a 19 hole playoff.

 

July: In a tennis classic, Rafael Nadal earned his first Wimbledon, ending the five-year reign of Roger Federer in a five set marathon.

The CFL lost one of its biggest supporters as Bob Ackles, a member of the BC Lions for 50 years, died of a heart attack at age 69.

Whiterock captured the Little League Provincial Championship at the Joe Martin Field scoring a 5-4
victory over Layritz of Victoria. Whiterock would also win the National title.

The PG Senior Lacrosse playoff final went the distance before Shooters Pub scored an 8-6 decision over BX Pub in the 7^th and deciding game.

 

August: Canada finished with 3 gold (from freestyler wrestler Carol Huynh of Hazelton, men's 8 rowing and Eric Lamaze, aboard Hickstead, in show jumping), 9 silver and 6 bronze at the Beijing Olympics. Host China captured the most gold and the U.S. the most medals. American swimmer Michael Phelps took home an Olympic record 8 gold.

 

Padraig Harrington became just the 4^th golfer to win the British Open and the PGA Championship in the same year.

Simon Fraser golf titles in PG went to Blair Anderson (men) and Betty Anne Shiels (women).

After many tears, the Green Bay Packers dealt 3-time MVP quarterback Brett Favre to the NY Jets for a conditional 3^rd round draft pick.

 

September: Prince George did a masterful job in hosting the 20^th annual BC Senior Games. Host North Central finished with the most medals (247).

 

Former UNBC student, Bo Hedges of Fort St John, helped the Canadian Men's Wheelchair basketball team capture a silver medal at the Paralympics Games in Beijing. Chantal Petitclerc of Montreal earned five gold in Paralympics track.

 

October:The Philadelphia Phillies became World Series champions for the first time in 28 years,
needing just five games to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

November: The Calgary Stampeders, behind game MVP Henry Burris, won their 6^th CFL championship with a 22-14 decision over the hometown Montreal Alouettes in the 96^th Grey Cup.

 

December: The (10-18-0-1) PG Cougars sacked Head Coach Drew Schoneck and replaced him with assistant Wade Klippenstein.

 

PG Cougars captain Dana Tyrell suffered a season ending knee injury while playing for Canada in a World Junior exhibition game against Sweden.

 

After months of waffling, Mats Sundin became a Canuck, signing a one year contract with
Vancouver.

 

It's always fun to go down memory lane. 2009 promises to be a great sports year in PG with the CCAA National Men's Basketball Championship, the World Baseball Challenge and the Pre-Olympic
curling trials just to name a few. Have a happy and safe New Year.

 

“A man made medical history this week as he had a complete face transplant. Dr.'s say the anonymous patient is fine and hopes to resume his hockey career with a new team after he completes anger management therapy.”
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

 

“Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, 82, just signed a three year contract extension. When asked if he thought this was risky, Paterno said, “No, he thought the University would survive the recession.”Janice Hough

 

“Penn State Head Football Coach Joe Paterno has a contract extension through 2011, when he will be 85 years old. He may be getting too old. It's a little distracting when he keeps yelling on every play to run the "Statue of Liberty".”
Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

 

“A letter from Allstate confirms that Plaxico Burress' insurance had lapsed three days before a car crash last May. Go figure--he catches the winning TD in the Super Bowl, yet didn't have 'good hands'.”Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“The Yankees announced that bleacher seats for games against the Cubs on April 3 and 4 will sell for a quarter. Other prices for that game--$200.00 for parking, $100.00 for a hot dog and $50.00 for a beer.”Bill Littlejohn

“President-elect Obama says the economic stimulus package the nation needs should be about $850 billion. To put that into perspective, $850 billion is roughly half of next year’s New York Yankees payroll.”Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

 

From:

 

Lance and Jimmy were fortunate in that they each had a season ticket to watch Manchester United. However, they had a friend Eddie who would give his right arm for a season ticket. They could not help noticing that there was always a spare seat (L39) next to theirs.

One half-time Lance went to the ticket office and asked if they could buy the season ticket for L39. The club official said that unfortunately the seat had been sold. Nevertheless, week after week the L39 was still empty.

Then on Boxing Day, much to Lance and Jimmy's amazement the seat was taken for the first time that season. Jimmy could not resist asking the newcomer, 'where have you been all season’?

Don't ask he said, the wife bought the season ticket back last summer, and kept it for a surprise Christmas present.