January 15, 2003 Sports Section Editor: Jordan Cripps the other press Jordan Cripps Sports Editor While most of us were enjoying Christmas turkey with family and friends or trying to recover from the stress of the past semester, the Douglas College Men's Basketball team took their game on the road, participating in a number of tourna- ments and exhibitions over the holiday season. The Royals exhibition schedule began against the Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, a Division II NCAA team. Although the Royals weren't victorious in the game, los- ing 112-70, they certainly gained some important experience competing against an NCAA team that, in the weeks leading up to the Royals visit, achieved history by becoming the first NCAA Division II team to win an eight team Division I| tournament. Obviously the Royals faced strong competition and this will certainly help them as they return to BCCAA play next week. After the game, Coach Munro said, The Royals road trip continued later in December as they participated in the UCFYV Abbotsford Christmas Classic, fin- ishing with a 2-2 record. Coach Munro felt that it was a good result for the team since, “we played the tournament without all-star center Ian Hogan.” He also assessed his team’s play by saying, “we got some of the Christmas turkey out with our play in the early games, and | think we got better with each game.” dcsportseditor@yahoo.ca Royals Keep Busy During Break The final exhibition for the Royals was a two game series against NAIA Division I team Lewis-Clark in Idaho. Unfortunately for the Royals, these games weren't as successful as they fell by scores of 101-51 and 105-50 to a team that entered the season ranked 14th in the NAIA Division 1 standings. One positive that the Royals can take from these games, however, is that their 3-point shooting was strong, as they made well over 50% of their shots from behind the arc during the two game exhibition. Looking at the box scores from these games, it is clear that one of the objectives was to get as many players as possible some playing time and to give players that may not see the court too often during the regular league season. It also seems that, by playing high level teams (NCAA and NAIA) the team will be even better prepared for their return to BCCAA competition. Coach Munro believes that the benefit of playing games over the break is to keep the team fresh and to get them prepared for further league play. The wins and loss- es have little impact on the national standings. Finally, there is also a sense of reward for the players and coaches, taking them on road trips to places that they may not be able to experience outside of a bas- ketball setting. After the exhibition games the Royals season record stands at 10-9 but five of those losses are to teams that don’t affect their provincial or national standings, including teams from the NCAA, NAIA, CIAU and US junior college ranks. The most important statistics for the Royals are their BCCAA record, currently 4-3, and their BCCAA ranking, a four-way tie for fourth place. The Royals are hoping that their holiday travels will pay divi- dends as they try to clinch a berth in the provincials, to be held at Douglas College, March 6-8. The Royals resume BCCAA play this weekend as they head to the Okanagan to face OUC and UCC. * * * The Men’s basketball team wasn’t the only Douglas team to use the BCCAA holiday break to gain experience and develop their skills. Both Royals volleyball teams partic- ipated in tournaments over the holidays. From January 2-4, the Men’s team attend- ed the Camosun Invitational Tournament, making it to the quarterfi- nals of the tournament before losing to Langara in a close 5 set match. For com- plete scores, please see Douglas Sports at a Glance. Between January 2-3, the Women’s team was at the 2003 Capilano College Holiday Inn — New Year’s Classic, finish- ing in 6th place after losing to Durham by a narrow margin, 3-2. For complete Douglas results from the tournament please see Douglas Sports at a Glance. Both the men’s and women’s teams resume BCCAA games this weekend as they face OUC and COTR. * *x * The Douglas College Wrestling team was also in action over the holidays, partici- pating in the Menlo College Open in San Francisco. Douglas faced three schools, University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, Coe College, and Apprentice school. For team results please see Douglas Sports at a Glance. Individually, however, a number of Douglas College wrestlers had strong showings. Travis Cross won all three matches while Sargon Atlabachew, David Parant and Ryan Mattingly each won 2 of their 3 matches. They also took part in the PLU tourna- ment in Tacoma on January 4 and the Golden Bear Open in Edmonton on January 11 but results were not available at press time. Canucks Victories Bring Attendance Success Jordan Cripps Sports Editor What a difference a few wins can make. Two years ago, the Canucks were lucky to have 10 sellouts in a season. This season the Canucks have already, as of January 11th, had 19 sellouts. Deciding that it was finally time to jump on the band- wagon, I attempted to get some tickets for a game against © page 24 the Detroit Red Wings. I was told that the only tickets remaining for the entire season were for games against Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas and San Jose...in March. One of my New Year's Resolutions was to make that jump ear- lier next season. Clearly, hockey in Vancouver is seeing a resurgence with the success of the Canucks who will see their coach behind the bench at the NHL All-Star game in Florida. Yet another sign of change for the team. The closest that Mike Keenan got to this position was when his team was undefeated prior to the beginning of the season. When Brian Burke first took over as GM of the Canucks, it felt as though the Canucks were never going to make the playoffs again and that Burke would contin- ually distance himself from Vancouver hockey fans with his abrupt manner and questionable decisions. None of this matters anymore as the Canucks are battling it out for the top spot in the entire NHL with no signs (okay, they lost to Columbus) of slowing down. It’s a different experience turning on one of the radio talk shows here and hearing a caller try to find something critical to say about the Canucks. In past years, there was ample fodder. Even the Sedins who, over the past few weeks, have been invisible, are forgotten as people enjoy the success of the team. Some callers, desperate for nega- tivity, resort to criticizing Pay-Per-View and Canuck broadcasters in lieu of having any true complaints abou the team itself. Whenever a caller does call in and criti cize the Canucks,, their points are quickly refuted by th hosts and the caller is banished from the air. I would like to say that I’m completely convinced tha there will never be another time like Burke’s early day here but I can’t. As the Canucks become more and mor successful some of their players, and deservedly so, wil want more money than the Canucks can or will pay. I must admit that I will be surprised if Ed Jovanovski obviously one of Vancouver's marquee players, is wearin a Canucks sweater next October. Markus Naslund ha also indicated that his current contract could be his last Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison, players that ar just now coming into their prime, will eventually com mand more money than the Canucks can spend. Dai Cloutier, the biggest reason for the Canucks reversal c fortune, seems destined to become one of the bette goalies in the league and, again, will demand a highe salary than the Canucks will pay. If all, or some, of thes situations come true, Vancouver could be, once agair looking up in the standings at the rest of the NHL an: thinking about what could have been. Until this happens we should just enjoy the ride.