Sideline Stories with Ann Schmaltz

When Keron Williams first lined up at defensive end at the Lions training camp, the consensus among onlookers was that the free-agent acquisition was too small. Listed at 6-foot-1, 260 pounds, he seemed a shadow of those who had played the position ahead of him like Cameron Wake. But by the end of Day 2, […]

If you listen to the Lions go-to-guy Casey Printers, he’s the first to tell you: “This is our team!”Veteran receiver Geroy Simon argues: “The quarterback is the leader of the team. It’s always like that.”General Manager and head coach Wally Buono looks at it as: “It’s their team.”Three high profile members of the B.C. Lions […]

“Wishing to play against the Blackhawks would not make you a smart person.”
That’s how Vancouver head coach Alain Vigneault opened his media scrum after putting his team through the paces on the final day before the Western Conference semifinal battle begins tomorrow night at the United Center here in Chicago.  
So, does that mean every […]

“Right now, I need my best players to be my best players.”  A repeated comment from Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault after his team dropped a 5-3 outcome to the L.A. Kings in Game 3 and found themselves trailing in the first-round series 2-1.  How cliche.  And really, with all do respect, how ridiculous.
Fans already […]

Two down. Who knows how many more to go?
From the outset of the Western Conference quarterfinal, many would have predicted that given the Canucks’ playoff experience, and regular season finish, it would be a wrap in five games. But over the first two battles, it’s clear this series is going the distance. There have been […]

For many in this country now is the most wonderful time of the year. The NHL playoffs are here! And this time around the fans in Vancouver are buzzing with a little bit extra. The city itself is coming off an electric high. The spirit of the Olympic games is still very fresh. And that […]

Finally!  The 2010 Winter Olympics are here.
Tonight, the whole world will watch what can truly be called a global phenomenon. The Opening Ceremonies kick off  17 days of intense, emotional athletic competition.  There will be cheers and jeers. Smiles and tears. Nail bitting moments and runaway victories.  But one thing is clear.  Athlete or not. […]

As a reporter there is nothing better than when a story writes itself.
A pot of gold was handed to those of us that cover the Canucks after the 3-2 loss to the Predators Monday night.
For the first time since I have been following the team, I was privy to an athlete letting raw emotion take […]

Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait for Christmas morning? The anticipation and excitement of seeing what Santa had left under the tree was just too much. Well, Christmas has come early for Vancouver hockey fans.
Undoubtedly, NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin will bring his charasmatic personality to GM Place to battle the Canucks […]

In a perfect world, the B.C. Lions would be hosting the Western Division final Sunday. But in an imperfect season, it makes improbable sense that an injury-riddled team that used five quarterbacks may earn a berth in the Grey Cup by capturing the Eastern Division championship. That’s right.  The Eastern Division championship. How foreign is […]