Paterson vs. Paterson Darren and Travis Paterson, Sports Guys This week's issue: The NHI Loc Darren says: Bob Goodenow and the players should all be in the nuthouse. To reject the NHL’s last offer, in which the players still would have been able to make million-dollar salaries, was the craziest move possible. Gary Bettman spelled it out to Goodenow that the $42.5-million salary cap was as high as the league was ever going to go and Goodenow had the balls to ask for more. And while I respect (and envy) big balls, I cannot understand what the NHLPA was thinking, Even Mario Lemieux, an owner and player, said that the players were offered many opportunities to look at the owners’ accounting books so that they could be comfortable with a link between salaries and revenues, but the players rejected those opportunities. But then again, how could they continue to say that the owners were lying to them if they opened their eyes? The owners are clearly in the right and this lockout will surely benefit Canadian fans in the long run as ours are the teams who have been hurt the most by the rising salaries. And, therefore, I fully support the unflappable stance of Bettman and the owners. By the way, I don’t actually envy big balls because mine are gigantic. kout, which side are you on? Travis says: I imagine myself looking back on this whole ordeal from my rock- ing chair on the porch of the house I have yet to grow old in, where I sip my tea and smoke my pipe, and say, “Yes, the owners certainly did have the players by the balls back in the NHL lockout of 2004-2016. It sure is funny to look back now and think the players actually fought the own- ers on those issues, puff, puff.” Players = Spoiled, Whiny. Owners = Arrogant, Spoiled. I don’t actually support either side, but if I had to choose a side then I definitely agree that the players are just being silly. The owners clearly have them by the balls, and the longer the players want to hold out, the weaker the union will become. In that, I’m saying it’s hard to believe that a player like Roenick is willing to sacrifice the last of his prime (I’m being generous here), in which he is worth millions of dollars, not to mention his time in the spotlight. The longer the union holds, the longer my buddy in Helsinki can continue enjoying NHL players on his favourite team, HIFK. Shakin a Giant Bug Travis Paterson, OP Contributor fter returning from their recent 13-day jaunt through the frozen Canadian prairies, the G-Men completed their trip with a final stop in Spokane, Washington, to take on the Chiefs. Even though the Giants were tired and bugged-out, they were given much-needed hope when Tim Kraus scored twice in the third period, tying the game in an exciting comeback. The teams played a 3-3 draw into overtime, when the most exciting call in hockey was made, the penalty shot. Awarded to Ned “the Darkside” Lukacevic of the Chiefs, it was to be a legendary tale of Jedi battle. But fortu- nately for the Giants, netminder Marek “the Force” Schwarz was successful in stopping Lukacevic. When asked about the penalty shot after. the game, Lukacevic explained, “TI don’t understand. I put the blast shield down and trusted my instincts, just like Obi Wan taught me.” Unfortunately, heroics were not enough, and the comeback Schwarz’s attempt was thwarted when former Giants defenseman, and current Ewok Chief, Joe Logan, found a weakness in Schwarz’s armor. That granted the Chiefs a 4-3 victory, adding to the Giants’ growing pile of one-goal losses this season. Despite the loss, goalie Marek Schwarz made a solid 32 stops, showing the Spokane crowd of 3,459 why the St. Louis Blues drafted him 17th overall. And, amazingly, all 3,459 members of the crowd were related. Then, as if the prairie cold and a 1—3-1-1 record weren’t bad enough, the team picked up a flu bug. But the flu was just the excuse the Giants needed as they mustered a sub-par effort against the Red Deer Rebels last Wednesday night. Granted, it’s always difficult to play the first game at home after a long road trip, and granted, the Giants were without flu-plagued blueliner Conlan Seder, who had been on a hot streak, but after four years in the league the Giants were still looking for their first home win against the Central Division club. Red Deer played an effective toad game holding the Giants to 20 shots. Under Team Canada head coach Brent Sutter, Team Canada’s Dion Phaneuf lead the Red Deer defense with his phys- ical presence and solid play. And Team Canada’s tight-checking forward Colin Fraser put in a solid effort keeping the Giants’ defense scrambling while picking up a goal. Goalkeeper Andrew Leslie posted the 3-0 shutout, and the Rebels remain undefeated in the Pacific Coliseum, disappointing the crowd of 7,543. That said, Coach Hay was unim- pressed with the play and will be looking for a better effort including a much- needed win on the coming-home stand. Catch the Giants, as they should be fully recovered from the flu, when they host the Memorial-Cup Champion Kelowna Rockets on Friday, Feb 25, at 7:30pm. FACIAL REJUVENATION CLINIC www.facialrejuvenationclinic.com FEBRUARY 23/2005 Do You Suffer From Acne’? No Drugs! No Cream!