FIDDLER’S FACTS: World Cup, Grey Cup in Canadian sports spotlight

Canada makes its first look in 36 years on the earth’s most prestigious sporting occasion – the FIFA World Cup.

P.E.I. soccer followers might be glued to their televisions as Canada meets favoured Belgium on Nov. 23. Canada is in Group F with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.

Though the John Herdman-coached membership eradicated the USA and Mexico to qualify for the World Cup, the competitors in Qatar is far more durable. Belgium is the No. 2-ranked staff on the earth, Croatia made the 2018 World Cup remaining whereas Morocco is taken into account top-of-the-line groups from Africa.

Soccer in Canada has grown leaps and bounds since its final look. This nation is producing world-class gamers. Alponso Davies stars for Bayern Munich, but it surely’s rumoured he’s not totally recovered from a hamstring damage.

If Davies is totally wholesome and if up-and-coming world-class standouts like Jonathan David and Cyle Larin come up massive, Canada might steal a sport.

Gray Cup

The 109th version of the Gray Cup, Canadian soccer’s biggest prize, options Japanese-champion Toronto Argonauts (11-7) tangle with West-champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers (15-3) in Regina Nov. 20.

Winnipeg, attempting to win its third consecutive Gray Cup, is a four-point favorite. Star Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros, the 2021 CFL MVP (and more likely to win it once more), left final week’s playoff sport within the fourth quarter with an ankle sprain.

Toronto has a high quarterback in McLeod Bethel-Thompson. He appeared good within the early-season 23-22 loss at dwelling to Winnipeg and hasn’t thrown an interception in his final 5 video games. Add the snow issue, and this needs to be a thriller.

Objects

Listed here are a couple of gadgets that you ought to be speaking about at P.E.I. espresso outlets this morning:

… The native tennis crowd remains to be buzzing over Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime upset of Rafael Nadal, ranked No. 2 on the earth, in Italy. Tennis is one other sport the place younger Canadian grand-circuit-type stars are within the highlight.

… Do you know that Frank (Butch) Callaghan, who handed away final week, was the varsity goaltender at SDU on a staff with high-scoring Dick Tingley? Butch was the brother of standard Dr. Harry Callaghan, a junior varsity basketball guard and a gifted first baseman within the Metropolis Baseball League within the early Nineteen Sixties.

… Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson has had an odd and checkered street to the NHL. He began out with Brock College in 2018-19.

… Donnie McGuigan, who handed away final week, was a back-up goaltender for the Junior Islanders in his day however was a daily on the metropolis monitor the previous 40 years. An excellent man who’ll be sadly missed.

NFL

After Washington upset previously-unbeaten Philadelphia, gamblers are having second ideas about “locks” coming into the NFL’s Week 11.

A have a look at video games Nov. 20:

Rams (3-6) at Saints (3-7): Rams are with out Cooper Kupp, and QB Matt Stafford is iffy after struggling a concussion final week. That’s sufficient for me – Saints by default.

Jets (6-3) at Patriots (5-4): Betting in opposition to Invoice Belichick in late November in New England, that’s all you must know. The Patriots, who smothered the Jets three weeks in the past, do it once more.

Cowboys (6-3) at Vikings (8-1): Cowboys are favoured however not in my e-book. Vikes QB Kirk Cousins has loads of receivers and the addition of all-pro tight finish T.J. Hockenson is one other goal that may assist the run sport. Vikes win outright.

Bengals (5-4) at Steelers (3-6): Bengals are coming of a bye, and QB Joe Burrow is wholesome with loads of weapons. Pittsburgh smothered the Saints final week, however Cincinnati is extra gifted, lastly wholesome and can cowl the 4.5 unfold.

Lions (3-6) at Giants (7-2): G Males can depend on the operating of Sequin Barkley in opposition to a leaky Detroit defence. Detroit will rating, however the Giants, combating for a playoff spot, simply cowl as three-point favourites.

Harness racing

… It is a massive weekend at Pink Shores Charlottetown with Horse Individuals Day Nov. 19 and one other card Nov. 20. Submit occasions are 12:30 p.m. The annual drivers’ competitors needs to be fascinating as many of the high drivers are in motion competing for money. Race followers might be completely satisfied as turkeys, fuel playing cards, restaurant vouchers and various prizes might be obtainable by way of attracts.

… There have been many Maritimers on the Harrisburg Sale, and most introduced dwelling yearlings and racing inventory. Wayne MacRae and Gilles Barrieau took dwelling yearlings as did Earl Watts and Wayne McGean and the Cape Breton boys, in addition to Rideau-based Andrew Moore and Guelph resident Ron MacDonald. Dr. John Hennessey was on the sale as was Dr. Ian Moore, who bought 4 head, together with a high-priced Bettors Delight for Serge Savard and Ron MacLellan.

… The Secure.Ca‘s Anthony MacDonald shelled out nearly $700,000 on eight or 9 yearlings to associate with $1.2 million he spent at Lexington. On the Kentucky sale, he collared a full sister to King of the North for one thing like $185,000. This was earlier than the large colt gained his elimination and the Breeders Crown in a monitor document 1:50:3 at Mohawk for Mark MacDonald.

… One of many sizzling horses of late domestically is Kimball Bernard’s Buddysnvirgins, who gained once more final week in 2:00 for driver Mark Bradley. He’s co-owned by George Halliwell and driver Bradley.

Fred MacDonald’s column seems each Saturday in The Guardian. He may be reached at [email protected].