SPORTS Eu-rough-peans: The Swedes, checking? What sorcery is this? Alex King, Op Contributor In the bygone year of 1999, the Vancouver Canucks managed to land the 2nd and 3rd overall draft picks in that year’s NHL Entry Draft. We all know this pair as Daniel and Henrik Sedin, respectively, and expectations were high for them to perform. At first, the Swedish twins disappointed change of thought was Peter Forsberg, wh showed that top-flight forwards from acro the pond can also show a bit of grit and cle. Granted, Forsberg has been playing in NHL for over fifteen 15 years and Europe’ agitators like Esa Tikkanen were around lo before his arrival, but Forsberg’s highlight- with their soft-play and the ease in which they _ talent helped pave the way for other physi were knocked off the puck. It looked as if European forwards like Tomas Holmstré the pair would be another addition to the Tuomo Ruutu, and Alexander Ovechkin. legacy of Vancouver's first-round draft pick Why are we seeing this transformation flops. But as time progressed, both Henrik now? I think it’s because of the rule chang and Daniel have established themselves as from the 2004-05 lockout, which reduces 4 some of the best products of an otherwise of the clutch-and-grab hockey and gives weak draft year. On top of their playmaking open ice to talented players. This open ice ability and almost clairvoyant passing allows them to be a bit more creative and d prowess, they’ve gotten much stronger on the ing — and that explains why the Sedins arg puck and are arguably the best in the NHL at afraid of digging the puck from the corneg playing in the corners. and receiving a shove or two. It was so much of a turn-around for Essentially, both Henrik and Daniel Seq Henrik and Daniel that the pair played as are indicators of maturity — not just the Sweden’s grinding line throughout much of maturity of their playing style, but also of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, but while | NHL as a whole. Though it sacrificed an this aggressive playing style has been a long entire season, the NHL lockout provided time coming for the two Canucks, the NHL very positive changes to our national sport in general has seen European players change an increase in overall scoring, and the deve their roles to a more physical style of play. opment of more complete players from 2 Don Cherry’s venerable old chestnut of over the world. And as a result, both of th “chicken Swede” may now be obsolete in the — changes have ensured the health of the Ni new NHL. One of the revolutionaries in this for many years to come. Royals Take Down Cascades Douglas College Athletics Douglas Sweeps Up In Nanaimo Douglas College Athletics In the last home stint of the season, the Royals hosted the UCFV Cascades from Abbotsford, BC. Neither team had yet to secure a playoff berth in the upcoming BCCAA Provincials in Kelowna, B.C. point. However, led behind team Captain Kristin Knapp, who had 5 kills, 1 block, and 4 digs, the Royals were able to pull out the second set by a score of 28-26. While sitting on the brink of a straight set Despite the cold and fog in Vancouver, it appeared that spring had arrived in Nanaimo as the ‘birdies’ were chirping for the Royals. ner Andy Cheong and the Mixed dou- bles with partner Melodie Liang. Alvin finished the weekend.a perfect 11 - 0. Yeung also partnered with Andy Cheon: In what could be a possible preview of a quarter-final match up in three weeks, the Royals and Head Coach Ryan Vijandre, would not make the same mistake of under estimating their opponents. The weekend’s matches were impor- tant for the Royals as they sat just one spot ahead of the visiting Cascades. The two teams were sitting in 4th and 5th place respectively in the BCAA. In Friday night’s match, the Royals started with a light serving session and Kristin Knapp started the game by singing the National anthem in front of a big crowd. The Royals set the tone victory, the Royals would have to wait as the Cascades stormed back in the third and forth sets (19-25, 22-25) to force a fifth and deciding set. “The intensity in the gym was so thick, you could cut it with a knife,” said one spectator. With the intensity level at maximum, the fifth set was very close as each team rallied for every point. However, in the end the Royals stayed strong and finished off the Cascades 15-12. Knapp had a big match and contributed 20 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces, and 11 digs. At the defensive end, Libero, Brooke Hannela led the team with season high 29 digs and Middle blocker, Aleks The Douglas College badminton team put forth a powerful performance at the Malaspina Badminton Tournament this past weekend. In team play the Royals, once again, went undefeated with a 6-0 record in the round robin team competition. Strong performances were shown by everyone with team captain, Lyndsay Thomson and sophomore Alvin Lau, leading the way. In the individual events, Thomson continued her fine play from the first tournament. Thomson despite fighting the flu bug won the singles and doubles with partner to take second place in mixed doubles, losing in the finals to team mates Lau/Liang. Richard Liang had an excel- lent tournament, winning the Men’s sin gles event. The singles win completed a sweep of the team competition & with all 5 five individual events going to Douglas College. This capped of a fan- tastic week as the Douglas Royals team were ranked #1 first in the country in the latest rankings. The team now pre- pares for next weeks exhibition match vs. team China before returning to league play in Kamloops in 2 two weekg pretty early in the match by taking the first game Arnaut, had five stuff blocks for the match. 25-12 with everyone playing almost almost-per- In Saturday night’s match, the Royals were fect volleyball. But Coach Vijandre knew better able to beat the Cascades in three straight sets, and predicted that this was going to be a long 25-23, 26-24, and 25-21. Again, Knapp and Charmagne Yeung. Lyndsay was a pet- time. fect 10 - 0 on the weekend. Men’s and Women’s doubles was were dominated match. As predicted, the Cascades shook off the early game jitters in the second set as they pushed the Royals making them earn every Lauren Johnston led the team with 10 kills along with Rookie Sydney Moore with 17 digs and Aleks Arnaut with 3 stuff blocks in defensive end. with Douglas placing first and second in the Women’s doubles and first and third in the Men’s doubles. Alvin Lau led the Men’s team by win- ning both the Men’s doubles with part- od 1 5 THE OTHER PRESS FEBRUARY 1 2007