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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

Last night, the Toronto Blue Jays were blasted 11-3 by the Royals in
Kansas City last night. Game 4 in this four-game series goes this afternoon at 1:10 on MLB TV.

OKAY, It is going to be an incredible sports weekend, let’s start with the National Hockey League

*The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs start tonight with Chicago at Vancouver at 8 p.m. on CBC.

*Friday night it’s Anaheim at Detroit at 6 p.m. on TSN and Carolina at Boston at 6:30 on TSN2. By the way, Boston now has home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

*Saturday, Pittsburgh opens at Washington at 12 Noon on CBC and then Chicago plays Game 2 at Vancouver at 8 p.m. on CBC.

In the American Hockey League playoffs…
The Manitoba Moose will face the Grand Rapids Griffins in the North Division final. That series starts right here in Winnipeg tomorrow night at 7:30.

At the IIHF’s world hockey championship in Switzerland, Canada begins the qualification round this afternoon against Czech Republic. It goes at 1 p.m. on TSN.

In horse racing, the Triple Crown begins on Saturday with the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby. I Want Revenge is the early-line 3-1 favourite while Pioneerof the Nile and Dunkirk have been installed at 4-1. The race goes Saturday at

This week’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race is at Richmond, under the lights, Saturday night at 7.

In football, that’s right, football, Football Manitoba’s “Blue & Gold Games”, showcasing the province’s top young football players will be played on Saturday. The Under-17 games kicks off at 1 p.m. followed by the Under-19 game at 4. Both games will be played at Canad Inns Stadium.

And in baseball, the Winnipeg Goldeyes open training camp tomorrow. The team’s Open House goes Saturday at Canwest Park.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

When the No. 3 Vancouver Canucks meet the No. 4 Chicago Blackhawks in their Western Conference semifinal, it could be the best and most exciting series of the second round.

The teams went 2-2 against each other this season, but there is no question, this series will come down to goaltending. Is Nikolai Khabibulin as good as Roberto Luongo when it counts? This series will be a dandy.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

This week, the NASCAR Sprint Cup boys are at Richmond, that super fast ¾ mile track that has certainly its share of excitement, and yes, wrecks.

Clint Bowyer is the defending champ in this race while Jimmie Johnson won last year’s fall race at Richmond. The Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 goes Saturday at 7 on Fox.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, two exciting Game Sevens yesterday and what a thriller in Newark, New Jersey…

Carolina 4 New Jersey 3
With New Jersey ahead 3-2 and only a minute and 20 seconds left in regulation, Jussi Jokinen scored for the ‘Canes to tie it 3-3 and then, with only 31.7 seconds left, Eric Staal ripped one past Martin Brodeur to stun the hime crowd and send the Hurricanes into the second round.

Meanwhile, in Washington
Washington 2 NY Rangers 1
Sergei Fedorov fired a laser past Henrik Lundqvist with 4:59 remaining in regulation to give the Capitals their first series win in 11 years.

The second round starts Friday night with Anaheim at Detroit at 6 p.m. on TSN and Carolina at Boston at 6:30 on TSN2. By the way, Boston now has home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

In other NHL news, the Pittsburgh Penguins took the interim tag off head coach Dan Bylsma’s title and rewarded their coach with a multi-year deal. Meanwhile, the NHL announced the finalists for the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward: Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings, Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks and Kenora’s Mike Richards, the Philadelphia Flyers captain.

The Manitoba Moose will face the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League’s North Division final. That series starts right here in Winnipeg on Friday.

At the IIHF’s world ice hockey championship in Switzerland, Canada improved to 3-0 in the round-robin with a 7-3 shellacking of Slovakia yesterday.

Popular slotback Jamie Stoddard’s career is over after nine years in Winnipeg. Stoddard was released by the Bombers yesterday. And the team announced the signing of a couple of defensive backs, non-import Nick Kordic from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and import John Eubanks out of Southern Mississippi.

In the NFL, the New York Jets made it official. After drafting USC quarterback Mark Sanchez with the fifth pick on Saturday, the Jets released last year’s No. 1 quarterback Brett Favre.

The Toronto Blue Jays bounced back and whipped the Royals 8-1 in Kansas City last night. Game 3 in this four-game series goes tonight in Kansas City. 7:10 on Rogers SportsNet Ontario and Pacific.

Locally, the Winnipeg Goldeyes open training camp Friday. The team’s Open House goes Saturday at Canwest Park.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

In a way, hockey fans got their wish on Tuesday night. Semms nobody wanted to see Boston face Pittsburgh in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Instead, the purists wanted Boston and Pittsburgh to meet up in the Eastern final.

All things being equal, they got their wish. Boston will play Carolina in Round 2 while Pittsburgh will meet Washington. Now, the second round just has to play out as fans hope…

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

After last Sunday’s remarkable finish at Talladega, it’s hard to imagine that this week’s race could be half as exciting, but it’s at Richmond and it’s at night, so there is a chance.
Last week’s race was crash filled on a big track. This week the Sprint Cup boys are on a smaller, ¾ mile track that has also had its share of wrecks. Clint Bowyer is the defending champ while Jimmie Johnson won the 2008 fall race. The Russ Friedman 400 goes Saturday at 7 on Fox.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, two games yesterday… two more teams were eliminated…

Chicago 4 Calgary 1
Fortmer Jets goalie Nikolai Khabibulin was the hero, making 43 saves to get the win. The Hawks will move on to face Vancouver in the second round.

Anaheim 4 San Jose 1
Randy Carlyle’s Ducks, an eighth seed have upset the No. 1 seeded Sharks, the President’s Trophy winners in six games as Jonas Hiller made 36 saves to get the win. The Ducks will face the Detroit Red Wings in Round 2.

Tonight, two games on the schedule, both Game Sevens: New York is at Washington at 6 p.m. on TSN while Carolina plays at New Jersey at 6:30 on TSN2.

In other NHL news, Washington Capitals’ tough guy Donald Brashear was suspended for a total of six games by the NHL yesterday for two separate incidents in Game 6 against the Rangers. Brashear got one game for an exchange with New York’s Colton Orr in the warm-up and five additional games for his late hit on Blair Betts in the first period.

The Manitoba Moose will face the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League’s North Division final. That series starts right here in Winnipeg on Friday.

At the IIHF’s world ice hockey championship in Switzerland, 2-0 Team Canada will take on Slovakia today. 1 p.m. on TSN.

The Toronto Blue Jays were beaten 7-1 by Kansas City last night. Game 2 in this four-game series goes tonight in Kansas City. 7:10 on Rogers SportsNet Ontario and Pacific.

And the Winnipeg Goldeyes open training camp Friday. Tuesday, the team added catchers Ryan Richardson and Kevin Reimer and pitcher Josh Sawatzky. The team’s Open House goes Saturday at Canwest Park.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

Steve Mason the outstanding 20-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender, could become only the fifth NHL player ever to win the Vezina and Calder trophies in the same year.

But in order to do that, he’ll have to beat out the Minnesota Wild’s Niklas Backstrom and Boston’s Tim Thomas, the favourite for the Vezina. After all, it was Thomas’s league-leading goals-against average that was the driving force behind the Eastern Conference champion Bruins this season.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

People are still talking about that remarkable finish at Talladega on Sunday as Brad Keselowski bumped Carl Edwards on the final lap, Edwards went airborne and Keselowski slipped underneath to win the first Sprint Cup event of his career.

Fan-favourite Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second in a crash-filled Aaron’s 499. Edwards meanwhile, hopped out of his demolished car and pulled a Ricky Bobby, running the final 100 yards to finish the race on foot.

manito

Monday, April 27, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Manitoba Moose defeated the Toronto Marlies 4-2 at the MTS Centre on Saturday to win the Calder Cup opening round series four games to two. The Moose will now face the winner of the Grand Rapids-Hamilton series in the North Division final. The final starts in Winnipeg on Friday.

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, two games yesterday… two Game 6s and and both series will go to Game 7

Washington 5 NY Rangers 3
With John Tortorella suspended and Colton Orr a healthy scratch, the Caps ran roughshod over a cowering Rangers team who fell behind 5-1 after two periods. Caps defenceman Tom Poti had a goal and three assists. The series is tied 3-3 heading to Washington for Game 7 tomorrow.

Carolina 4 New Jersey 0
Eric Staal had two goals and an assist while Cam Ward made 28 saves to tet the shutout. Game 7 in this series goes tomorrow night.

Tonight, two games on the schedule, Chicago, leading 3-2, is at Calgary at 8:30 on TSN; San Jose is at Anaheim at 9:30 on CBC. Anaheim leads that series 3-2.

At the world ice hockey championship in Switzerland, Marty St. Louis scored three times as Canada blasted Hungary 9-0. The Canadians are now 2-0 and will play Slovakia tomorrow.

At the Telus Cup in Selkirk, the Notre Dame Hounds won the national midget championship while the Winnipeg Thrashers finished fourth and in the ANAVET Cup Regional Junior Championship, the Humboldt Broncos came back from a 4-1 third=period-deficit and beat the Portage Terriers 5-4 in overtime to win the series in seven games.

The Toronto Blue Jays won again. Yesterday Roy Halladay improved to 4-1 while the first-place Jays improved to 14-6 as Toronto beat the White Sox 4-3 in Chicago. The Jays open a four-game series in Kansas City tonight. 7:10 on Rogers SportsNet.

Finally, in auto racing, a remarkable finish at Talladega as Brad Keselowski bumped Carl Edwards on the final lap, Edwards went airborn and Keselowski slipped underneath to win his first Sprint Cup event. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second in a crash-filled Aaron’s 499.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

Sunday afternoon, the New York Rangers didn’t even give it the old college try. After two periods, the Rangers trailed Washington 5-1 and were lucky it wasn’t 11-1.

From his mishandling of Sean Avery, to his own suspension, to his failure to dress Colton Orr on Sunday, John Tortorella is responsible for the Rangers collapse from a 3-1 series lead to a 3-3 tie and if New York Doesn’t win tonight, Tortorella should be fired.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

A remarkable finish at Talladega on Sunday as Brad Keselowski bumped Carl Edwards on the final lap, Edwards went airborn and Keselowski slipped underneath to win his first Sprint Cup event.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second in a crash-filled Aaron’s 499. Edwards meanwhile, hopped out of his demolished car and pulled a Ricky Bobby, running the final 100 yards to finish the race on foot.

Friday, April 23, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

Jason Jaffray and Jason Krog each had a pair of goals as the Manitoba Moose drilled the Toronto Marlies 5-2 in Toronto last night and with the win, the Moose took a 3-2 lead in the opening round series of the Calder Cup playoffs. Game 6 is back here in Winnipeg tomorrow night.

There were four Stanley Cup playoff games last night… one more teams has been eliminated…

Detroit 6 Columbus 5
Johan Franzen scored the winner on a power play with 47 seconds remaining as the Wings swept the Blue Jackets in four straight games. Marian Hossa had two goals and an assist for Detroit. The Wings become the first defending champions to reach the second round of the playoffs in six years.

Philadelphia 3 Pittsburgh 0
Portage la Prairie’s Arron Asham scored his first goal of the playoffs. It proved to be the winner. Martin Biron made 28 saves to get the shutout. Pittsburgh leads the series 3-2 heading back to Philly tomorrow night.

New Jersey 1 Carolina 0
Marty Brodeur made a career-playoff high 44 saves for his 23rd career playoff shutout, tied with Patrick Roy for the post-season record. New Jersey leads the series 3-2.

Anaheim 4 San Jose 0
Randy Carlyle’s Ducks now have a 3-1 series lead against the No. 1 seed as Jonas Hiller made 31 saves for his second shutout in the series.

Tonight, only one game on the schedule, the Rangers, leading 3-1 in the series, are in Washington for Game 5, 6 p.m. on TSN.

In other NHL news, no surprise here, the three finalists for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenceman this season were announced yesterday: Washington’s Mike Green, Boston’s Zdeno Chara and Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom (the 10th nomination for Lidstrom who has won the Norris six times).

At the Telus Cup in Selkirk, the Winnipeg Thrashers lost 5-3 to Notre Dame yesterday. The 3-1 Thrashers plays Laval-Bourassa today and start the playoffs tomorrow. In the ANAVET Cup Regional Junior Championship, the Humboldt Broncos drilled the Portage Terriers 12-2 last night and now trail 3-2 in the series with Game 6 tomorrow night in Portage. The IIHF Men’s Senior World Hockey Championship begins this morning in Switzerland. Canada plays Belarus at 9 a.m. on TSN.

The Toronto Blue Jays won again. Last night at Rogers Centre, the Jays improved to 12-5 with a 5-2 win over Texas. Former Northern Leaguer Scott Richmond got the win. The Jays open a series with the White Sox in Toronto tonight.

The Bombers signed two imports yesterday, quarterback James Killian out of Tulsa in ’05; and defensive lineman Montez Murphy who played 12 games with the Edmonton Eskimos last season.

Finally, don’t forget, the NFL draft goes Saturday at 3 o’clock. Yesterday, the Detroit Lions were still trying to negotiate a deal with the projected No. 1 pick, Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford while the Kansas City Chiefs traded 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons for a second-round pick in next year’s draft and the Carolina Panthers signed quarterback Jake Delhomme to a five-year, $42.5 million contract.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

There were a lot of people who thought the Columbus Blue Jackets might give the Detroit Red Wings a pretty good argument this spring. Even Detroit fans were worried that the Wings might lose to Ken Hitchcock’s upstart Jackets.

They were wrong. The Wings not only swept the Blue Jackets in four straight games, they became the first defending champions to reach the second round of the playoffs in six years.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

While the Sprint Cup boys were at Talladega this weekend for the Aaron’s 499, the controversy over Roush Fenway Racing was reaching the boiling point.

At some point owner Jack Roush has to shed a car to meet NASCAR’s four-team limit, and speculation has centered on Jamie McMurray, but Roush figures NASCAR won’t force his hand. This one could get ugly, if NASCAR sticks to its guns.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

There were three Stanley Cup playoff games last night… and Montreal’s 100th Anniversary season is over…

Boston 4 Montreal 1
The Canadiens scored 39 seconds into the game, but Michael Ryder had goals and an assist as the Bruins swept the Canadiens in four straight games. It’s the Bruins first series win in a decade.

NY Rangers 2 Washington 1
Sean Avery’s mini-meltdown didn’t cost the Rangers as goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 38 saves and the Rangers took a 3-1 series lead.

Calgary 6 Chicago 4
Olli Jokinen had two goals and an assist as Calgary scored two unanswered in the third to tie that series at 2-2 heading back to Chicgao for Game 5.

Tonight, four games on the slate, Philadelphia is at Pittsburgh at 6 on CBC, the Penguins can wrap up that series. Detroit is at Columbus at 6 on TSN 2. Detroit can sweep that series tonight; Carolina is at New Jersey at 6:30 on TSN. And San Jose is at Anaheim at 9:30 on CBC.

The Manitoba Moose and Toronto Marlies are tied 2-2 in the opening round of the Calder Cup playoffs. Game 5 in the series goes tonight in Toronto. Game 6 is back here in Winnipeg on Saturday.

At the Telus Cup in Selkirk, Cam Hildebrand scored a short-handed goal with 4 1.2 minutes left in regulation to give the Winnipeg Thrashers a 6-5 win over the Calgary Buffaloes. The Thrashers are 3-0 and have clinched a playoff berth. And in the ANAVET Cup Regional Junior Championship, the Portage Terriers beat the Humboldt Broncos 4-1 to take a 3-1 series. Game 5 goes tonight in Humboldt.

The Toronto Blue Jays blew a 7-3 lead at Rogers Centre last night but hung on to beat the Texas Rangers 8-7 in 11 innings as former Northern Leaguer Kevin Millar doubled home the winning run. The two teams go at it again tonight in Toronto: 5:37 on Rogers SportsNet.

Finally, don’t forget, the NFL draft goes Saturday at 3 o’clock. The Detroit Lions are still trying to negotiate a deal with the projected No. 1 pick, Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

Anybody who thought the Montreal Canadiens might have, at some point, gained the upper hand from the Boston Bruins got a real jolt of reality on Wednesday night.

Even though Montreal scored early to take a 1-0 lead, it wasn’t long before the Bruins were in complete control of the game. In the end, they won 4-1 and swept the Habs right out of the opening round series. A Boston-Detroit Stanley Cup final would not be a stretch.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

The NASCAR Nextel Cup boys are in Talladega, Alabama this weekend for the Aaron’s 499.

With Jeff Gordon leading the points race and Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart favoured this week, this is going to be a great race. By the way, you can’t count out Jimmie Johnson, either. The Aaron’s 499 goes Sunday at noon on Fox.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Manitoba Moose crushed the Toronto Marlies 5-1 in Toronto last night. Mark Fistric, Jason jaffray and Max Fortunas each had a goal and an assist. Game 5 goes tomorrow night in Toronto. Game 6, back here in Winnipeg on Saturday.

There were five Stanley Cup playoff games last night…

Vancouver 3 St. Louis 2
Alexandre Burrows, the former Moose, scored his second goal of the game at 19:41 of the first overtime period to give the Canucks a sweep of the Blues.

Detroit 4 Columbus 1
Henrik Zetterberg scored twice as Detroit took a 3-0 series lead, The Wings can sweep in Columbus tomorrow night.

Pittsburgh 3 Philadephia 1
Marc-Andre Fleury made 45 saves to get the win. Pittsburgh leads 3-1 and can wrap up the series on home ice tomorrow night.

San Jose 4 Anaheim 3
Dan Boyle had two goals and an assist while Patrick Marleau scored the winner as the Sharls cut Anaheim’s series lead to 2-1.

Carolina 4 New Jersey 3
Jussi Jokinen scored the winner at 19:59 of the third period after the Canes blew a 3-0 lead. The series is tied 2-2 heading back to Newark.

Tonight, three games on the slate, Boston plays at Montreal at 6 p.m. on CBC, Washington is at New York at 6 on TSN, and Chicago is at Calgary at 9 on TSN.

In other NHL news, six-time Vezina Trophy winner Dominik Hasek will come out of retirement to play for his former club in the Czech Elite League next season. The 44-year-old goaltender agreed to return with HC Moeller Pardubice. It’s a one-year deal with a one-year option.

At the Telus Cup in Selkirk last night, the Winnipeg Thrashers beat the Moncton Flyers 7-1. In the ANAVET Cup regional junior championship, Ryan Audino scored the overtime winner as Portage beat Humboldt 3-2 to take a 2-1 series lead. In the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference Final, Calgary beat Brandon 4-3 last night to take a 3-0 series lead. And in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League, congratulations to the Charleswood Hawks. The Hawks defeated the Fort Garry/Fort Rouge Twins 2-1 in a four overtime marathon to win Game 7 of the series last night.

The Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 at Rogers Centre last night. Roy Halladay, now 3-1, suffered his first loss of the year. The two teams go at it again tonight in Toronto: 6:07 on Rogers SportsNet.

In local baseball news, the Winnipeg Goldeyes signed one of the greatest hitters in Northern League history, 6-foot-2, 260-pound Cuban DH Juan Diaz, who hit .354 in Joliet last year.

Finally, a big day for the Bombers yesterday. The team announced that it turned a profit of $761,000 in 2008. Great news for a team that will change from a community-owned team to a privately-owned team in 2010.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings can wrap things up tonight. What many thought was going to be tough first round of the playoffs for last year’s Stanley Cup finalists has so far been a walk in the park.

Granted, it’s been much tougher for Pittsburgh. At least Philly is giving the Pens an argument. But Detroit? They’ve been dominant, lead 3-0 and should easily dispose of the outclassed Blue Jackets tonight.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

It’s back to the site of NASCAR’s biggest movie. Talladega Superspeedway where the Sprint Cup boys will trade paint in the Aaron’s 499.

Kyle Busch is the defending champ while Tony Stewart, who was second last week, won the fall race at Talladega. The Aaron’s 499 goes at Noon, Sunday, on Fox.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

There were three Stanley Cup playoff games last night…

Boston 4 Montreal 2
It’s just about over for the Habs 100 anniversary party. The Bruins lead the series 3-0.

Washington 4 NY Rangers 0
Alex Ovechkin still hasn’t scored a goal but set up two goals by Alexander Semin, while Simeon Varlamov made 33 saves to get the shutout. The Rangers still lead the series 2-1.

Calgary 4 Chicago 2
The Flames have finally beaten the Blackhawks after seven tries this season. David Moss scored twice in the third to cut Chicago’s series lead to 2-1.

Tonight, five games on the slate, Pittsburgh at Philadelphia at 6 p.m. on CBC; Detroit at Columbus, also at 6 p.m. on TSN; New Jersey at Carolina at 6:30 on TSN 2; Vancouver at St. Louis at 7 p.m. on some CBC HD channels; and San Jose at Anaheim at 9:30 on CBC.

The Toronto Marlies lead the Manitoba Moose two-games-to-one in the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup opening round series. Game 4 goes tonight in Toronto.

The 10-4 Toronto Blue Jays, the best team in the AL East, had yesterday off. They’ll open a three-game series with Texas tonight.

In local baseball news, the Winnipeg Goldeyes signed three solid lefthanded pitchers yesterday: Daniel Haigwood out of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Matt Spade from the St. Louis Cardinals organization; and Dan DeLucia from the Detroit Tigers system. There is a huge announcement expected soon by the Goldeyes and it’s not that training camp opens May 1.

Finally, a big day for the Bombers today. The team will make public its 2008 financial report at 11:30 this morning.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

It’s pretty much official that the Los Angeles Kings are going to go after a big-name free agent this summer and word is it will be either Marian Gaborik, Marian Hossa or Martin Havlat, depending on who is available and for how much on July 1.

The Kings are tired of missing the playoffs and they are convinced that one proven star will put them into next year’s post-season.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

They say NASCAR Sprint Cup racing is a battle of inches and seconds. In Kyle Busch’s case last week, it was a matter of fractions of both.

With the race on the line at Phoenix, it appeared as if Busch had beaten the leader Mark Martin out of the pits for the final time. Trouble was, the replay showed the Busch was slightly over the pit-road speed limit. As a result, he was sent to the back and finished 17th, after he had a victory in sight.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is underway. Four more games last night…

Boston 4 Montreal 2
Phil Kessel had two goals and an assist and Zdeno Chara scored the eventual winner as Boston outshot Montreal 39-28. The Bruins dominated the first and third periods and took a 1-0 series lead.

Detroit 4 Columbus 1
Johan Franzen and Jiri Hudler each had a goal and an assist. Detroit outshot Columbus 34-21 and easily grabbed a 1-0 series lead.

Chicago 3 Calgary 2 (OT)
Martin Havlat scored twice. His first goal tied the game with 5:33 left to play and then his second won it at 12 second of overtime as Chicago took a 1-0 lead.

Anaheim 2 San Jose 0
Ryan Getzlaff had a goal and an assist and Jonas Hiller made 35 saves to get the shutout.

Tonight, three games: Philadelphia plays at Pittsburgh, 6 o’clock on CBC, Carolina is at New Jersey at 6:30 on TSN and St. Louis plays at Vancouver at 9 p.m. on CBC.

In other NHL news, to no one’s surprise, the Minnesota Wild have decided not to renew the contract of general manager Doug Risebrough.

The Toronto Marlies and Manitoba Moose play Game 2 of their opening round series in the Calder Cup playoffs tonight the MTS Centre. It’s a 7:30 start. The Marlies lead the series 1-0.

And it’s semifinal time at the Allan Cup in Steinbach. At 4 today, Bentley, Alta. Faces Thunder Bay and at 8 tonight, it’s an all-Manitoba battle, Steinbach North Stars against the provincial champs, the Southeast Prairie Thunder.

Last night in Minneapolis, the Toronto Blue Jays did it again. The Jays whipped the Minnesota Twins 9-2. Roy Halladay improved to 3-0, the Jays improved to 8-3 and lead the AL East. Meanwhile, the new $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium opened yesterday. But the Cleveland Indians spoiled the party. Grady Sizemore hit a grand slam homer as Cleveland walloped the Yankees 10-2.

In football news, NFL announcer John Madden announced his retirement yesterday after 30 years in the booth.

And don’t forget UFC 97 goes tomorrow night on Shaw pay-per-view.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

There have been a lot of “no surprise theres” in this NHL post-season.

The firing of Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish, Toronto’s desire to get the first overall draft pick, and now, the firing of Doug Risebrough as general manager of the Minnesota Wild.

Risebrough just didn’t get it done in Minnesota. Even with a full building and a great coach, his team failed to make the playoffs, because Risebrough didn’t get the players. Great guy. Not a great job.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

Michael Waltrip Racing has signed the 17-year-old brother of Sprint Cup regular Martin Truex Jr. as a development driver. Ryan Truex began his new association this weekend in the NASCAR Camping World East series in South Carolina.

Last season, Truex finished 11th at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut in his East debut and only career start while driving a car prepared by Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Toronto Marlies got a goal from Bates Battaglia at 5:28 of the first overtime period to down the Manitoba Moose 3-2 at the MTS Centre last night. The Marlies lead the Calder Cup opening round series 1-0 with Game 2 in Winnipeg tomorrow night.

The Stanley Cup playoffs began last night and the hockey was tremendous…

Vancouver 2 St. Louis 1
It was a battle of special teams and goaltending and Roberto Luongo was the star, making 25 saves to get the first win of the series.

NY Rangers 4 Washington 3
Brandon Dubinsky scored the winner in the third, Scott Gomez had a goal and two assists and Sean Avery was very good. The Rangers take a 1-0 lead on the road.

New Jersey 4 Carolina 1
Jersey looked like the championship Devils of 2003. The Devils outshot Carolina 39-19. New Jersey leads 1-0.

Pittsburgh 4 Philadelphia 1
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each had a goal and an assist. The Pens lead 1-0 and will play at home again tomorrow night.

Tonight, Columbus plays at Detroit at 6 p.m. on TSN, Montreal is at Boston at 6 on CBC, Calgary will play at Chicago at 7:30 on TSN2 and Anaheim is at San Jose on CBC.

In other NHL news, to no one’s surprise, the Edmonton Oilers fired head coach Craig MacTavish. No replacement was named.

And the Allan Cup, the Canadian senior amateur championship, continues today in Steinbach.

Last night in Minneapolis, the Toronto Blue Jays ripped the Minnesota Twins 12-2 as five Jays homered and former Northern Leaguer Scott Richmond got the win. The Jays are now 7-3 on the season and are looking surprisingly good.

In football news, the Blue Bombers signed veteran offensive lineman Luke Fritz. The Bombers had previously acquired Fritz’s rights from Montreal.

Quite a trade by the Winnipeg Goldeyes yesterday, Manager Rick Forney traded away two starters, Aaron Jackson and Brandon Kintzler, plus second baseman Antoin Gray and catcher Jeff DeSmidt in order to acquire power-hitting 6-foot-5, 230-pound first baseman Brandon Sing from the American Association’s Pensacola Pelicans.

And don’t forget UFC 97 goes Saturday night on Shaw pay-per-view.

7:15 NHL REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the Coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM National Hockey League Report. Brought to you by MAACO Collision and Auto Painting at 983 Wall Street.

It’s pretty hard to knock the New York Rangers today. Tomorrow night the Rangers face the Washington Capitals in downtown D.C. in Game 2 of the Eastern quarterfinal and after Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory, the Rangers haven’t silenced the critics but they have softened their barbs.

It’s a bad cliché, but they say you have to have your best players at their best in the playoffs. Wednesday, the Rangers’ best were very good. And now the Capitals have their backs against the home ice advantage wall.

8:15 NASCAR REPORT

Hi everybody, it’s the coach Scott Taylor and it’s time now for the 92-CITI-FM NASCAR REPORT. Brought to by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

After a week off, the NASCAR Sprint Cup boys come together in Phoenix tomorrow night for the Subway Fresh Fit 500.

Phoenix is a beautiful 1 mile oval track that Jimmie Johnson just loves. In fact, Johnson won both Sprint Cup races here last here. The Subway Fresh Fit 500 goes tomorrow at 7 on Fox.