ener ie 5 Ot a eee a eo Le Ae eg re ree agi Asay paEATee team Where is the Moose? Chris Yu The 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan are unlike any other because for the first time ever NHL players will be allowed to play for their countries. The Canadian squad is full of some of the best players in the world. They have names like Paul Kariya and Joe Sakic, who are two of the most dominant — players in the NHL, and the team also has some players who are true hockey legends. These players are guys like the Great One, Wayne Gretzky, and one of the greatest defensemen ever, Ray Bourque. Out of all these great players there is still one name that is not on the roster. I am talking about the “Moose,” Mark Messier. There are many reasons why the Moose is not on the roster, one of these is the age factor. The only problem with that reasoning is if they did not take Messier because he was too old, why did they take guys like Gretzky Volleyball: with an 8-3 record. Basketball: Coming Events: and Bourque? Gretzky is not in his prime, and even though he is good enough to get the job done, he is only making the big bucks in the NHL because he is the Great One. Another reason why Team Canada does not include Mark Messier is because of the need for role players. The team needs those guys who are going to do the dirty work like fight for the puck along the boards or take a beating in front of the net. The argument for role players is a bunch of bull because with a team with that much talent, you have all-star calibre players being made into role players. This can be seen in the most recent tournament, the World Cup of hockey in 1996. That team had players like Steve Yzerman and Thereon Fluery who are both great offensive players bejng put in a checking role. Messier is the kind of player who would do anything for the good of the team, even if it meant being a role player. The volleyball season wrapped up on the weekend, with each of our teams finishing in fine form. The women’s team took on the TWU Spartans on Friday, February 13, crushing them in straight sets 15-8, 15-10, 15-5. This win gave the Royals a 9-1 record for the season, tying them for first place in the BCCAA with the Malaspina Mariners. Douglas took the top spot, however, based on an advantage in games won 28-27. The men’s team went into Friday's game holding a one game lead over their opponents in the BCCAA, Trinity Western. The Royals sleepwalked through a 15-8, 15-10, 6-15, 15-10 victory over TWU, securing their place atop the BCCAA Friday, February 13, the women’s team traveled to Trinity Western to take on the Spartans. Carrie Rogers poured in 21 points and Tammy Neufeld chipped in 10 points as the Royals won 64-53 with only seven players. The men’s team, holding the sixth and final playoff spot in the BCCAA, suffered a tough loss on Friday to Trinity Western 90-87. Jon Fast had 21 points and 5 rebounds and Rob McClelland dropped 19 points and 8 assists for the Royals who now cling to a one game lead over TWU for the last playoff spot in the BCCAA. Friday, February 20, Douglas hosts wrestlirtg training against the National ‘Training Centre and Saturday, February 21, the BC junior wrestling teams trials will be held at New West. Another reason why Messier was excluded from the Canadian team is because of his dominant leadership qualities. This theory was brought up by Neil Macrae of The Vancouver Province. In most cases, I think Neil Macrae is full of it. I do agree with Macrae on this one, though his theory has to do with the fact that one of the guys organizing the team is Bobby Clarke who is also general manager of the Philidelphia Flyers. He made Eric Lindros, who plays for the Flyers, the team captain. This is nothing but an attempt to motivate Lindros. If Messier was on the team the leadership of Lindros would be overshadowed. Not including Messier on the Canadian team was a big mistake. I will admit the guy started off this season slow, but right now he is on fire. A Canadian team is not complete unless Messier is on it. @ ‘The World Cup, the biggest sporting event on the planet, takes place in France This suyner. Lt starts “Jane 10 and ends July 12. The final is at the NEW BO, OOO sear Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Starting this issue and continu- Ing anti the end of the senester, Hanish Knox and Honan Sanaie Will be Presenting their World Cup pre- dictions, group buy group. This Week We Preview Group A—- “Brazil, Scotland, No- FOCeO, and Norway). File Photo On the move.... Slammin’ down the court. World Cup: A Preview _ HONISh'S Predictions Hamish Knox Honan’s Predictons Homan Sanaie x “Brazil @) This is a no-brainer. With two-time FIFA Footballer of the Year Ronaldo and 51 cap veteran Ramario leading the attack and wonder goalie Taffarel manning the goal, Brazil is primed to defend its 1994 title and capture an unprecedented fifth World Cup. Brazil will also be riding the emotion of losing to the US in the Gold Cup. x-N a3) Even though they have only qualified twice for the World Cup (1938, 1994) this group is weak enough (behind Brazil) for Norway to move on. Striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leads the scoring attack, while Jahn Ivar (Mini) Jakobsen, Gunnar Halle and Stig Inge Bjornebye command a strong midfield and defense corps. Norway’s one weakness could be in goal, where starter Thomas Gill has played in only four international matches (caps). Scottand G7) They have never advanced past the first round of the World Cup in their previous seven attempts and the streak will likely continue in France. With striker Ally McCoist questionable for the World Cup, Scotland will have to rely on its defense to win games. Scotland does have a chance to advance if it can beat Norway on June 16 and Morocco on June 23. Morocco (15) Their ranking is way too high, considering who they had to beat to qualify. They came out of a weak African qualifying group, in which they only slipped past Ghana on a 3-2 aggregate. The strength of this team lies in its young, but experi- enced, defense. Nourredine Naibet is only 27 but he already has 84 caps to his name. Joining Naibet on defense are Abdelkrim Hadrioui (25 years old, 49 caps) and Lahcene Abrami (28 years old, 36 caps). x “Brazil d) : Defending World Cup Champions with Ronaldo, Romario, and Taffarel, Brazil should easily win this group. Defending champions will be tough to beat. cre (3) This is also the second straight World Cup appearance for Norway. Many of Norway’s players play in the English Premier League (Stig Inge Bjornbye and Oyvind Leonhardsen for Liverpool and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for Manchester United). Norway was in the “Group of Death” in USA 94. The only reason Norway did not make it to the Round of 16 was because of goals for. Norway has a big psychological edge over Brazil—they defeated Brazil 4-2 in Oslo on May 30/97. Norway has never made it past the first round. Norocco (15) Second straight World Cup for Morocco. In USA ’94, Morocco lost every game by one goal. Morocco is a young and fast team that could surprise a lot of people. With goalkeeper Abdelkader Brazi and defender Nourredine Naibet, Morocco could make it to the second round. Morocco played Brazil on October 9/97 and lost 2-0. Morocco’s best finish was when they made it to the Round of 16 in 1986. Scotand (3?) Not enough experience in big games. They had a fairly easy group in qualification. Need to ride on goalkeeper Andy Goram’s back if the Scots want to get past the first round. The way Goram is playing for the Glasgow Rangers this season, Scotland will be lucky if they get thirdplace in the group. Scotland has never made it past the first round. FIFA World Rankings in Parentheses (as of February 17th, 1998) (&«- Advances to te Round of i) 10 February 18, 1998 The Other Press