http://www.92citifm.ca

Friday, May 29, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

A spectacular triple-double by LeBron James: 37 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, was the difference last night as the Cleveland Cavaliers stayed alive in the BA’s Eastern Conference final with a 112-102 victory over the Orlando Magic. That cut Orlando’s lead in the series to 3-2 heading back to Orlando tomorrow. Tonight, The Los Angeles Lakers, leading 3-2 in the Western final, play in Denver.

Lots of hockey this weekend. The Stanley Cup final begins tomorrow night in Detroit. 7 p.m. on CBC, Game 2 goes Sunday night also on CBC and NBC and, of course, it’s the Calder Cup final, opening right here in Winnipeg tomorrow night, between the American Hockey League’s Western Conference champion Manitoba Moose and the Eastern Conference champion Hershey Bears. More than 12,500 tickets have already been sold.

In the CFL, the Winnpeg Blue Bombers announced yesterday that they had extended the contract of rush end Fred Perry and also signed quarterback Darrell Hackney and defensive back Jonathan Hefney.
The 8-3, first-place Winnipeg Goldeyes had last night off, tonight they’ll open a three-game series in Joliet.

And the Toronto Blue Jays, who have lost nine straight, also had yesterday off. They’ll open a three game series against Boston at Rogers Centre tonight, 6:07 on Rogers SportsNet.

Finally, some good news for local auto racing fans, $20 tickets for the June 4th, 
NLRA Late Model Special at Red River Co-op Speedway are now being offered at just $15.

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.

I can’t tell you how sick I am of hearing our TV experts talk of Tim Thomas this or Roberto Luongo that or Cam Ward… whatever. The best goalie in the playoffs last year was Chris Osgood and clearly the best goalie this year is Chris Osgood.

At 37, he’s never been better. Right now he leads the playoffs in wins with 12, is second in goals against average at 2.06 and fourth in save percentage at .925. He isn’t pretty, he’s just a winner. And isn’t that the point.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

As we reported to you early last week, it was clear changes had to be made to the entire operation of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s struggling No. 88 Chevy team.

So this past weekend at Dover, Tony Eury Jr. was out as crew chief, replaced by team manager Brian Whitesell. And that might only be the start. If this Rick Hendrick team doesn’t find consistency over the next few weeks, more changes will be on the way.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Detroit Red Wings have advanced to the Stanley Cup final to face the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second straight year… last night in Detroit, the Wings ended the Cinderella playoff run of the young Chicago Blackhawks… and the hero was Daren Helm of St. Andrews, Manitoba…

Detroit 2 Chicago 1 (OT)
Helm scored the winner at 3:58 of overtime as the Western Conference champs are now four wins away from their second straight Stanley Cup.

In other NHL news, despite the objection of the NHL yesterday, Phoenix Judge Redfield Baum said he would speed up the trial to determine whether or not Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie can buy the Phoenix Coyotes and move the club to southern Ontario. Baum called the relocation issue “the 10,000-pound elephant in the room” and said it needed to be resolved quickly. He set a hearing for June 9, not June 22, and promised a ruling shortly thereafter. Naturally, the NHL said it would appeal if it lost the case.

Don’t forget, the American Hockey League’s Western Conference champion Manitoba Moose will face the Eastern Conference champion Hershey Bears in the Calder Cup final, beginning Saturday night right here in Winnipeg. The upper deck at MTS Centre has been opened. More than 10,000 tickets have already been sold.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes edged the Gary SouthShore-RailCats 7-6 at Canwest Park last night as Kevin West hit a pair of homers and drove in six runs. Immediately after the game, the 8-3, first-place Goldeyes got on the bus and headed for Joliet and the first game of a six-game road trip.

Yesterday in Baltimore, the Orioles became the third straight team to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays as the Jays bullpen blew up and wasted another solid start from Roy Halladay. Toronto led 8-3 after seven innings and lost 12-10 in 11. It was Toronto’s ninth straight loss.

In the CFL, the Winnipeg Blue announced yesterday that they had signed the four players that they selected in the 2009 CFL Draft. Mike Morris, Adam Bestard, Peter Quinney, and Thaine Carter were all signed to contracts.

Finally, in the NBA’s Western Conference final in Los Angeles last night, the Lakers whipped Denver 103-94 to take a 3-2 series lead. Tonight, Orlando, leading 3-1 plays in Cleveland. The Magic could wrap it up with a win tonight, 7:30 on TSN.

Finally, some good news for local auto racing fans, $20 tickets for the June 4th, 
NLRA Late Model Special at Red River Co-op Speedway are now being offered at just $15.

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.

I can’t tell you how sick I am of hearing our TV experts talk of Tim Thomas this or Roberto Luongo that or Cam Ward… whatever. The best goalie in the playoffs last year was Chris Osgood and clearly the best goalie this year is Chris Osgood.

At 37, he’s never been better. Right now he leads the playoffs in wins with 12, is second in goals against average at 2.06 and fourth in save percentage at .925. He isn’t pretty, he’s just a winner. And isn’t that the point.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

I just love the name of this race. The NASCAR Sprint Cup boys are in Dover Delaware for the longest name in all stock car racing: The Autism Speaks 400 Presented by Heluva Good Sour Cream Dips and Cheese.

Kyle Busch won the race last year. He won it, he just couldn’t say it. The race goes Sunday at 12:30 on Fox.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

For the first time in franchise history, the Manitoba Moose have reached the Calder Cup final. Last night at the MTS Centre, the Moose dominated the Houston Aeros in a 3-1 victory as Michael Grabner’s seventh goal of the playoffs proved to be the winner. The Moose will now face the Eastern Conference champion Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League final. That begins Saturday night right here in Winnipeg.

There were no games in the Stanley Cup playoffs last night, but tonight in the East, the Pittsburgh Penguins, leading 3-0 play in Carolina against the Hurricanes, 6:30 on CBC. Tomorrow night, the Detroit Red Wings, leading the series 3-1, can wrap up the Western Conference final with a win at home against Chicago.

Meanwhile, the NHL fined Blackhawks head coach Joel Quennevlle $10,000 for comments detrimental to the league’s officials after he called a penalty call in Game 4 against Detroit, “the worst call in NHL history.”

The Gary Southshore-Railcats beat the Winnipeg Goldeyes 4-2 at a chilly Canwest Park last night. The 6-3 Goldeyes and the 6-5 Railcats play Game 2 of this three-game series tonight, 7 p.m. at the downtown ballpark.

Yesterday in Baltimore, the Orioles beat Toronto 4-1 as the Jays lost their seventh straight game. The Jays and Orioles play Game 2 of this series, tonight in Baltimore, 6:05 on Rogers SportsNet.

In the NBA’s Western Conference final in Denver last night, the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-101 to even that series at two wins apiece. Tonight, it’s Cleveland at Orlando in Game 4 of the Eastern final. Orlando leads that series 2-1.

In auto racing, David Reutimann won the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte yesterday. It was Reutimann’s first Sprint Cup victory.

Finally, some good news for local auto racing fans, $20 tickets for the June 4th, 
NLRA Late Model Special at Red River Co-op Speedway are now being offered at just $15.

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.

He wanted to return to the Washington Capitals but it didn’t appear the Caps were that interested so Sergei Fedorov is going back to Russia.

Sources in Russia told RDS that Fedorov is about to agree to a two-year deal with Russia’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk. The report indicates the two-year contract will see Fedorov collect $3.8 million per season. Fedorov will join his younger brothers Fedor and Evgeny on the Magnitogorsk roster.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

It took David Reutimann 75 career races and, over a period of two days this past weekend, it took three rain delays, but on Monday, Reutimann earned his first Sprint Cup Series victory.

And make no mistake, it was a fluke. With the red flag out, the journeyman driver paced nervously around his car on pit road at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Two hours later, he was declared the winner of one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events when the rain won and gave Reutimann the victory.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Manitoba Moose will face the Houston Aeros in Game 6 of the American Hockey League’s Western Conference final tonight at the MTS Centre. The Moose lead the series 3-2, but a few days ago, Manitoba was up 3-0. Maybe a little home cooking will help Manitoba reach the Calder Cup final.

Game 4 in the Western Conference final was played at the United Centre yesterday… and the Detroit Red Wings LOOKED like defending Stanley Cup champions…

Detroit 6 Chicago 1
Playing without Pavel Datsyuk and Nick Lidstrom, Marian Hossa had two goals and an assist, Henrik Zetterberg scored twice and Valtteri Flippula had a goal and two assists as the Wings ripped the Hawks in Chicago to take a 3-1 series lead heading back to Detroit on Wednesday. Winnipeg’s Jonathan Toews scored Chicago’s only goal.

No games tonight. Tomorrow night in the East, the Pittsburgh Penguins, leading 3-0 play in Carolina against the Hurricanes, 6:30 on CBC.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes scored two in the seventh, two in the ninth and got a game-winning RBI single from Cody Ehlers in the 10th to beat the Kansas City T-Bones 6-5 at Canwest Park yesterday afternoon. The 6-2 first-place Goldeyes open a three-game series with the Gary Southshore Railcats, tonight, 7 p.m. at Canwest Park.

Yesterday in Atlanta, the Braves whipped Toronto 10-2 and swept the Jays right out of Turner Field. Toronto has now lost six straight and are a half game back of Boston in the race for first-place in the AL East. The Jays open a three-game series this afternoon in Baltimore, 12:35 on Rogers SportsNet.

In the NBA’s Eastern Conference final, the Orlando Magic took a 2-1 series lead with a 99-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tonight the Los Angeles Lakers, leading the Western Conference final 2-1, face the Nuggets in Denver, 8 p.m. on TSN.

In auto racing, Helio Castroneves, acquitted of most charges of tax evasion on April 17 – his last charge was dropped on Friday — he was looking at six years in prison, became the ninth driver ever to win three Indianapolis 500s. Danica Patrick was third, best finish ever by a woman. Meanwhile, the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s Coca-Cola 600 was postponed due to rain at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte yesterday. The race will be run today at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Finally, some good news for local auto racing fans, $20 tickets for the June 4th, 
NLRA Late Model Special at Red River Co-op Speedway are now being offered at just $15.

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 Calgary Flames fired Mike Keenan on the weekend. On the one hand, nobody was surprised. On the other, it begged the question: Why do general managers keep hiring Keenan in the first place.

His style doesn’t translate into championships and he doesn’t particularly like to bother with young players. The Calgary Flames need to start thinking younger. Which means, hiring a guy who knows that getting youth and enthusiasm into the lineup, is the way to victory.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

NASCAR randomly drug-tested 10 crewmembers from 10 teams during the rain delay Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600, an apparent tweak to the first three months of in-season testing.

Obviously NASCAR is desperate to find another positive test since it won’t even publicly say what the drug was that got Jeremy Mayfield suspended indefinitely. NASCAR has a problem and it’s not drug use, it’s the Draconian drug policy.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Manitoba Moose will face the Houston Aeros in Game 5 of the American Hockey League’s Western Conference final tonight in Houston. The Moose lead the series 3-1, a win tonight and Manitoba will head to the Calder Cup final.

Game 2 in the Eastern Conference final was played in Pittsburgh last night… and the Pens had a brilliant third period…

Pittsburgh 7 Carolina 4
Evgeni Malkin was the hero with three goals and an assist. Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist as the Pens took a 2-0 series lead heading to Raleigh tomorrow night.

Tonight in the West, Detroit, leading 2-0, is at Chicago at 7 p.m. on CBC.

In other NHL news, as we told you here three weeks ago, Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Chuck Fletcher will be named GM of the Minnesota Wild, likely today.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes have set a franchise record. Yesterday in Fargo, the Fish beat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 6-4 to sweep Fargo and improve to 5-0 on the season. Never before have the Goldeyes started a campaign with five straight wins. The home opener goes tonight, 7 p.m. at Canwest Park.

Last night in Boston, the Red Sox whipped Toronto 5-1 and swept the Blue Jays out of Fenway Park and moved to within half a game of the first-place Jays in the AL East. The Jays open a weekend interleague series tonight in Atlanta. Roy Halladay, 8-1, gets the call for Toronto.

In the CFL, the Blue Bombers announced the contract extension of import receiver Romby Bryant.

In the NBA, the Denver Nuggets evened up their Western Conference final with the Los Angeles Lakers at 1-1 after beating L.A. 106-103 at the Staples Centre last night. Tonight, Game 2 in the Eastern Conference final, Orlando, leading 1-0, at Cleveland at 7:30 on TSN.

Don’t forget, the Canadian Fighting Championships, CFC 2, featuring local stars Chris (The Warrior) Fontaine and Joe (El Dirte) Doerksen, goes tonight at the Convention Centre. And tomorrow, it’s UFC 98 on Shaw Pay-per-View or you can watch with friends at South Beach Casino.

Finally, some good news for auto racing fans, $20 tickets for the June 4th, 
NLRA Late Model Special at Red River Co-op Speedway are now being offered at just $15.

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.

Washington Capitals veterans Victor Kozlov and Sergei Fedorov are both unrestricted free agents on July 1 and both have indicated they want to return to the Capitals next season.

Our good friend, Capitals GM George McPhee, says he will begin to re-evaluate his roster this week and said yesterday that if the money’s there, he’d love to have both veteran forwards back.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

More trouble on the horizon for NASCAR. Driver/owner Jeremy Mayfield’s high-powered attorney Bill Diehl met with NASCAR officials late last week and said Friday that he would file a lawsuit to have Mayfield’s suspension lifted.

Mayfield allegedly failed a NASCAR drug test, but NASCAR won’t say what the drug was. Diehl said Mayfield has done nothing wrong. This could get very, very ugly for NASCAR.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Manitoba Moose will have to wait until tomorrow night to dispose of the Houston Aeros. Last night in Houston the Aeros beat the Moose 5-4 in overtime to extend the American Hockey League’s Western Conference final to a Game 5. The Moose still lead the series 3-1. Game 5 goes tomorrow night in Houston.

No games in the Stanley Cup playoffs last night, but the Eastern Conference final returns to the ice tonight as the Carolina Hurricanes, trailing 1-0 in the series, play the Penguins in Pittsburgh at 6:30 on TSN. Tomorrow night, Detroit, leading 2-0 is at Chicago at 7 p.m. on CBC.

In other NHL news, more developments from the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy case: Coyotes minority partner John Breslow has formed a group that has already sent a formal proposal to the NHL to purchase the Coyotes from Jerry Moyes and keep them in Phoenix. This story gets crazier every day. Now the NHL has found another sucker who doesn’t think he’ll lose $40 million a year in the desert. Good luck to him.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes just don’t know how to lose. Last night in Fargo, Juan Diaz hit a two-run homer to lead the Fish to a 7-4 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to improve to 4-0 to start the season. The final game of this three-game set with the RedHawks goes tonight in Fargo, the Goldeyes home opener is slated for tomorrow night at Canwest Park at 7 p.m.

Last night in Boston, the Red Sox hit five home runs and beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3. Game 3 in this three-game set goes tonight at 6:07 on TSN2.

In the NBA, LeBron James scored 49 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Dwight Howard hot for 30 and the Orlando Magic upset the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-106 in Cleveland in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final.

Sad news from the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson has left the tour indefinitely after his wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’ll undergo major surgery sometime over the next two weeks and Phil says he will be at her side.

Don’t forget, the Canadian Fighting Championships, CFC 2, featuring local stars Chris (The Warrior) Fontaine and Joe (El Dirte) Doerksen, goes tomorrow night at the Convention Centre.

Finally, some good news for auto racing fans, $20 tickets for the June 4th, 
NLRA Late Model Special at Red River Co-op Speedway are now being offered at just $15.

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.

While the Vancouver Canucks try to re-sign Henrik and Daniel Sedin, the agent for another briother act, told the Team 1040 Sports Radio in Vancouver that Scott and Rob Niedermayer would be interested in playing for Canada’s West Coast club.

The Niedermayers, natives of Cranbrook, BC, are unrestricted free agents come July 1 and would love to finish their careers in their home province. Suddenly, a number of canucks off-season problems could be solved.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

NASCAR has suspended driver Carl Long for the next 12 Sprint Cup races and fined crew chief Charles Swing $200,000, the largest penalty in the sport’s history. Swing also was suspended until Aug. 18 for using an engine that was too big for NASCAR’s specifications last weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Long was docked a NASCAR-record 200 points. Additionally, Swing and Long were placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Manitoba Moose, just one win away from a berth in the Calder Cup final, can wrap up the American Hockey League’s Western Conference championship with a win tonight in Houston. The Moose have a 3-0 series lead over the Aeros and the Western Conference title could be decided tonight.

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Red Wings won a Game 2 thriller at home last night…

Detroit 3 Chicago 2 (OT)
Michael Samuelsson scored a beautiful goal to win it in overtime. Winnipeg’s Jonathan Toews scored both Chicago goals, but Detroit has a 2-0 series lead heading into Chicago for Game 3 on Friday night.

No games tonight, tomorrow night Carolina, trailing 1-0 in the Eastern Conference final, plays at Pittsburgh at 6:30 on TSN.

In the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers trailed for almost the entire game, but finished strong and beat the Denver Nuggets 105-103 in the opener of the Western Conference final. Tonight, Orlando is at Cleveland, at 7:30 to open the Eastern Conference final.

Last night in Boston, the Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 in the first game of an important three-game set. Game 2 goes tonight at 6:07 on TSN2.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes improved to 3-0 on the season with a 5-2 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in Fargo last night. Highly-regarded Ben Pfinsgraff got the win, while Brent Metheny drove in a pair of runs. The Goldeyes and RedHawks go at it again tonight in Fargo. The home opener, Friday night against Kansas City.

In the NFL, according to his close friend, Steve Mariucci, Brett Favre had a cortisone shot and threw the football this week. A decision as to whether or not Favre will sign with the Minnesota Vikings should come by mid-June.

Don’t forget, the Canadian Fighting Championships, CFC 2, featuring local stars Chris (The Warrior) Fontaine and Joe (El Dirte) Doerksen, goes Friday night at the Convention Centre.

Finally, congratulations to Winnipeg’s Justin Daman, the quarterback of the St. Paul High School Crusaders won his third consecutive national Korean kata karate championship in Ottawa. He’ll now go on to represent Canada at the worlds in Ireland in October.

Finally, some good news for auto racing fans, $20 tickets for the June 4th, 
NLRA Late Model Special at Red River Co-op Speedway are now being offered at just $15.

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.

Despite some concern that Roberto Luongo might be traded during the off-season, Canucks GM Mike Gillis said this weekend, that a trade is not going to happen.

Granted, Canucks owners worry about Luongo’s salary but Gillis summed it up: “It’s up to me to find ways to make this work,” said the GM. “We think we have a way to make it work and we intend to do that. In the clear light of day, this team has no financial issues.” That probably means Mats Sundin’s salary is history.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

NASCAR is not having a great year. Attendance is down, TV ratings are way down and now the governing body of stock car racing refuses to tell a driver/owner it suspended for abusing the organization’s drug policy what exactly that drug was.

Jeremy Mayfield made an appearance at the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race Saturday night saying that he’s struggling to understand why NASCAR has suspended him. Oh, oh. Why won’t NASCAR Come clean?

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The Manitoba Moose are just one win away from a berth in the Calder Cup final. In the American Hockey League’s Western Conference final last night, the Moose took a 3-0 series lead after a 4-3 win in Houston. Game 4 — could be the clincher — goes tomorrow night in Houston.

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins have drawn first blood in the NHL’s Eastern Conference final… last night…

Pittsburgh 3 Carolina 2
The Penguins take a 1-0 series lead thanks to former IHL Moose defenceman Philippe Boucher who had the winning goal and an assist.

Tonight Chicago, trailing 1-0, is at Detroit, 6:30, also on TSN.

And congratulations to Dylan Row of Winnipeg, a defenceman with the Fort Wayne Komets, he carried around the Turner Cup last Friday emblematic of the championship of the International Hockey League. Fort Wayne ousted Muskegon in five games in the final.

In the NBA, the Conference finals are set. Tonight the Western final opens with Denver at the Lakers at 8 p.m. Tomorrow night, Orlando is at Cleveland, at 7:30.

Yesterday in Toronto, former Northern Leaguer Scott Richmond pitched another dandy and former Northern Leaguer Kevin Millar hit a solo home run as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 to sweep Chicago out of the Rogers Centre. The Jays open a three-game set in Boston tonight, 6:10 on TSN2.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes are 2-0 after sweeping Kansas City 10-4 and 13-3 in K.C. this weekend. The Fish will open a three-game series in Fargo tonight and then play their home opener Friday at 7 against the Kansas City T-Bones.

In the NFL, the salary cap will rise $12 million this season to $128 million for a 52-member team and Tony Kornheiser is out as an analyst on Monday Night Football, he’ll be replaced by former Raiders and Bucs coach Jon Gruden.

Finally, some good news for auto racing fans, $20 tickets for the June 4th, 
NLRA Late Model Special at Red River Co-op Speedway are now being offered at just $15.

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.

I’ve always believed that scoring the first goal in a hockey game gives a team a pretty solid advantage. This year, the numbers bear me out.

Teams who have scored the first goal the game in this year’s playoffs have a 41-25 record through the first two rounds. That’s a 62% win ratio. Obviously scoring first is an important edge for any team.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

Tony Stewart finally got the victory he was after in his own car – the No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet. And he did it in front of co-owner Gene Haas who was just released from federal prison after serving his sentence for tax fraud.

Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, Stewart won NASCAR’s All-Star race and while there were no Sprint Cup points involved, there was one massive prize. For finishing first, Stewart takes home $1 million.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

The final two second-round Stanley Cup playoff games were played last night… two Game 7s, two dandies…

Carolina 3 Boston 2 (OT)
Veteran Scott Walker scored the first playoff goal of his career, banging home a rebound with 1:14 remaining in the first overtime to send the Hurricanes on to face Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference final.

Detroit 4 Anaheim 3
Dan Cleary scored the winner with three minutes left in regulation after the Wings had blown 2-0 and 3-1 leads. Darren Helm from Lockport, scored Detroit’s second goal. Former Jet Teemu Selanne had a goal and an assist for the Ducks. Detroit will move on to face the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference final.

The Conference finals begin Sunday with Chicago at Detroit at 2 o’clock on NBC and TSN. Carolina opens in Pittsburgh on Monday at 6:30, also on TSN.

In the American Hockey League, the Western Conference final will begin right here in Winnipeg tonight as the Manitoba Moose take on the Houston Aeros in Game 1. Game 2 goes tomorrow at the downtown rink. Both games at 7:30.

In the NBA, we have two more Game 7s. Orlando evened the Eastern Conference semifinal at 3-3 with an 83-75 win in Central Florida while the Houston Rockets drilled the Los Angeles Lakers 95-80 to send that series back to L.A. tied at 3-3.

Last night at Rogers Centre, C.C. Sabathia threw eight strong innings and Hideki Matsui hit the game-winning homer in the eighth as the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2. Tonight he Jays open a weekend series at home against the Chicago White Sox.

Finally, the Winnipeg Goldeyes season opens tonight against the T-Bones in Kansas City. Newcomer Daniel Haigwood will get the start. The home opener is Friday, May 22 against the T-Bones at Canwest Park. Bear Bay will start against K.C. in the home opener.

In the CFL, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced yesterday that they have acquired 6-foot-3, 301-pound non-import offensive lineman Kelly Bates in a trade with the B.C. Lions for future considerations.

In the NFL, 39-year-old retired quarterback Brett Favre has consulted renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Frank Andrews, to see if there is a non-surgical way to heal his partially torn biceps muscle. If there is, Favre will probably sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

And the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes goes to the post at Pimlico in Baltimore on Saturday. The early line favorite at 8-5 is the filly Rachel Alexandra with Derby winner Calvin Borel aboard. K.K., I still like Pioneerof the Nile.

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.

You have to hand it to Jim Balsillie. At least he wants to own a National Hockey League franchise. The way the league is treating Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes, a guy who has lost more than $200 million on that dog of a franchise in Phoenix, you have to wonder why anyone would want to be involved with Gary Bettman and his cartel.

The NHL’s latest court filing in Phoenix rips Moyes a brand new flesh exit. Why anyone would want to spend his money with a league that destroys its owners, is an idiot.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

Suspended driver/owner Jeremy Mayfield did not test positive for a performance enhancing drug and still, NASCAR allowed him to drive a stock car at Darlington Raceway at speeds up to 173 mph.

NASCAR won’t reveal what banned substance was found in the random test, although NASCAR officials did announce the drug violation was not alcohol-related. Wow. Tylenol 3s perhaps?

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Scott Taylor’s CITI Sports Reports

Only one Stanley Cup playoff game last night and what a shocker in Washington…

Pittsburgh 6 Washington 2
Pittsburgh built up an early 4-0 lead, Washington coach Bruce Boudreau pulled Simeon Varlamov and replaced him with Jose Theodore and the Penguins cruised to the Eastern semifinal against the winner of tonight’s Game 7 between Carolina and Boston. Sidney Crosby had two goals and an assist and on the game’s final goal, he stole the puck from Alexander Ovechkin.

Tonight, two games on the schedule: Both Game 7s to end the second round: Anaheim plays at Detroit at 6 p.m. on CBC while Carolina is at Boston at 7 on TSN.

In the American Hockey League, the Western Conference final will begin right here in Winnipeg tomorrow as the Manitoba Moose take on the Houston Aeros in Game 1. Game 2 goes Saturday at the downtown rink. Both games at 7:30.

In the NBA, Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points as Denver beat Dallas 124-110 to dispose of the Mavericks in five games and reach the Western Conference final for the first time since 1985.

Last night at Rogers Centre, the New York Yankees drilled Scott Richmond and the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2. The Jays are still 23-13, first in the AL East. The final game of this three-game series goes tonight in Toronto, 6:07 on Rogers SportsNet.

Finally, the Winnipeg Goldeyes season opens tomorrow night against the T-Bones in Kansas City. Newcomer Daniel Haigwood will get the start. The home opener is Friday, May 22 against the T-Bones at Canwest Park. Bear Bay will start against K.C. in the home opener.

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 Vancouver Canucks cleaned out their lockers and said good-bye as the last Canadian team standing headed out onto the golf course.

Goalie Roberto Luongo would not commit to coming back to the West Coast next season, the Sedin twins might be headed to Toronto and Mats Sundin has not decided what we’ll do next season. Who knows, next year’s Canucks might not look anything like this year’s Canucks.

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 you by 3M Automotive and Rondex. At 177 Isabel, Rondex is celebrating 37 years of auto body supply service.

Every May, NASCAR takes a one week “break” for the All-Star race, an exhibition to showcase the best in the sport. The all-star event made its debut in 1985, and except for one year in Atlanta in ‘86, the race has always been held in Charlotte.
I’m one of those people who believes the all-star race, just like in hockey and baseball, should be moved around. In fact, it would be great at Bristol, Daytona or Talladega.