CBC-Sports

Outdoor game brings back childhood memories for Marc Savard

Thursday, December 31, 2009 | 07:22 PM ET

BOSTON - Marc Savard remembers growing up in Orleans, a small community near Ottawa, spending every minute he could on a frozen outdoor rink playing hockey.

“That’s all I did,” the Boston Bruins centre said Thursday. “Until I got my report card. Then I was shut down for a while.

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Weather will be the wild card in an evenly matched Winter Classic

Thursday, December 31, 2009 | 10:57 AM ET

Despite the hard work and best intentions of the NHL, the fact that Ice man Dan Craig is more prominent than half the players tells all about predicting what kind of game the winter classic will be.

It’s impossible to handicap the outdoor game because it is unlike any other. The game is at the mercy of the elements so it could be completely normal or it could be played on bad ice, in snow, rain or bright sunlight , or all of them together. So toss out the game notes, check out a weather map and simply enjoy the twists and turns that Fenway Park might provide.

Appropriately it should be just like watching a Red Sox game there.

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Team Canada's fate rests with returnees

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 | 05:20 PM ET

In the end, Steve Yzerman showed no fear. There were obvious decisions (Brodeur, Luongo, Fleury), and bold selections (Drew Doughty as seventh defenceman). He rewarded hot starters (Patrice Bergeron, Patrick Marleau), and showed faith in struggling ones (Eric Staal, Scott Niedermayer as captain).

With little practice time, he bet on familiarity (Keith/Seabrook, Getzlaf/Perry and the Sharks line), while wagering that some natural centres will thrive on the wing.

Most interesting: he overlooked previous Olympians playing well (Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, Ryan Smyth, Shane Doan) in favour of extremely talented new blood (Corey Perry, Jonathan Toews, Mike Richards, Bergeron). On paper, this is a really good team, and I don't really disagree with any of the selections.

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Babcock keeping Red Wings competitive

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 | 02:06 AM ET

With Steve Yzerman picking his team for the 2010 Olympics, I finally figured out what I'm going to write about this week. I'll admit I was at a loss but after watching Detroit lose to Columbus on Monday night, strangely this idea came to me.

Mike Babcock has to be a candidate for coach of the year!

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Banner year for Pacquiao, Pascal

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 | 12:22 PM ET

It is time for the third annual CBCSports.ca boxing awards. Be sure to comment, praise, slam or add your own picks for memorable boxers and events during 2009.

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Winter Classic lacks Canadian appeal

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 | 11:06 AM ET

As the NHL prepares to invade legendary Fenway Park in Boston for its latest edition of their Winter Classic outdoor game, I can’t help but think back to where the Classic idea all began.

Much like the roots of the game itself, the Outdoor Classic idea began in Canada, with the hugely successful Heritage Classic on Nov. 23, 2003. Commonwealth Stadium played host to the most celebrated franchise in hockey, the Montreal Canadiens, against the dynasty team of the 1980s, the Edmonton Oilers.

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My New Year's wish list

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 | 10:15 AM ET

As 2009 draws to a close, I’ve decided to forego the usual ritual of a New Year’s resolution. I don’t see the point in waiting until tomorrow to do what you can do today, so I’ve never really been into that tradition.

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Caps, Jackets trade, Team Canada picks and 30 thoughts

Monday, December 28, 2009 | 12:28 PM ET

30 Thoughts was delayed as we waited for news of the Columbus/Washington deal. I had an item in there praising Scott Howson for not making a panic move even though his fan base wanted heads on a stick. Good GMs don’t give up key players/draft picks or mortgage salary cap future in tough times.

Then, he goes out and makes a trade.

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Winter Games success, influential Canadians may be linked

Monday, December 28, 2009 | 11:25 AM ET

It is not entirely surprising, given our country is hosting the next Winter Olympics and that we are a nation of hockey pucks, that the CBCSports.ca list of most influential Canadians in sports is dominated by folks from both sectors.

To many who voted, John Furlong, the chief executive officer for the 2010 Olympics, was the obvious choice as the most influential – at least until the Olympic torch is extinguished.

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Christmas comes early for EPL ref

Sunday, December 27, 2009 | 11:04 PM ET

‘Tis the season – even for the man in the middle.

Christmas, it appears, came early this year for Mark Halsey. In truth it couldn’t come early enough for one of the most experienced referees in the English Premier League.

Not that Mark’s been doing much refereeing of late. Indeed, he took charge of only one game this season before the bottom dropped out of his world.

At the age of 48, and embarking on his final season before retirement, Halsey was suddenly an indiscriminate victim of cancer.

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