© Sports the other press e fFlashGordon e dcsportseditor@yahoo.ca Island Trip Yields a Win! Women’s Rugby Z Dave Pearcey CSRW Premier: Douglas 63 James Bay Athletic Association 22 The dormant Douglas offense final- ly re-emerged as the Premier team erupted for 11 ties in a resounding victory over JBAA. Defense was apparently not on anyone's mind in the first half, as Douglas ran in six tries over James Bays’ four tries to take a 32-22 lead at the break. The second half saw Douglas tighten up on defense to shut out their opponents, while adding an additional 31 points to their total. Forwards and backs meshed well together to play a wide-open, attack- ing brand of rugby. Tanya Leigh, Carly Albiston, and Kelly Kitamura each scored three times to lead the way. Captain Corinne Jacobsen scored the other two tries with Amber Cummings connecting on four conversions. Douglas awaits the first round of playoffs. Second Division: Douglas 5 Kamloops 29 The battle for first place went to Kamloops as they won convincingly in the rain and mud at Queens Park. Kamloops came out with intensity making it 10-0 before Douglas could get settled. The Blues defend- ed well for the rest of the first half, but rarely threatened their oppo- nents end of the field. The young and fit Okanagan team continued their assault in the second half and Douglas was down by 29 before cap- tain Nicole Edgson scored the only points of the day for the home side. The Blues Second Division finished league play in third place. Off-the-court: Polish shot-blocker Flash Gordon Sports Editor She’s not used to being the centre of attention even though she plays in the post for the women’s basketball team. She’s not the tallest player and post isn’t even her natural position; but our Anna finished third in the | league in rebounds and averaged over three blocks a game. Two years ago her brother was a Royal, maybe it will become a family tradition? | Whats ahead for this Hotel and | Restaurant Management student? I | convinced her to come in from | Coquitlam to have a chat about the | season and whatever else I deemed to be pertinent info. Subject: Anna Rowinska (sister of Carl Rowinski) Team: Women’s Basketball Position: Post Height: 5°11” High school: Terry Fox, Poco OP: First and foremost, what’s the deal with the post-game Wendy's ritual? Rowinska: It just started one game. We were all hungry and everyone loves Wendy's. We did it on one Friday night and then the Saturday. After that it just became a tradition. OP: You had a pretty awesome sea- | som, third in rebounds and over three blocks a game. Being a shot blocker is impressive since you're not the tallest girl in the league. What's your secret? Rowinska: Since high school I learned to time myself. I know when players are going to the hoop and not watching me. It’s one of my things. Even ask the coaches. I sometimes do it too much and get fouled out. I just love doing it. It gives me a rush. Anna Rowinska OP: Planning on growing another inch for next season? Rowinska: I wish! But I’m pretty much staying where I am. I'll just have to deal with being a small post. OP: What will bring your team to the next level? Rowinska: The returning core play- ers. We have a good foundation with six of us coming back. With scouting I think we'll improve a lot. OP: How do you stay motivated during a losing season? Rowinska: In high school, my team sucked so I’m used to it. I just want to play basketball and as long as we're trying it doesn’t matter. I don’t really get discouraged. OP: Did you have a favourite team to play against? Rowinksa: Kwantlen. I had one of my best games against them, like six or seven blocks. OP: Who is your favourite person to play with? Rowinska: Mel (Trepannier). She's my height and my position. We have a lot of fun playing one on one. I love Mel! You can put that in. OP: Say you're stuck on a deserted island without a basketball hoop or anyone shots to block, what do you do? Rowinksa: Probably sleep. OP: If you weren't playing basket- ball what would you play? Rowinksa: Volleyball. I played bas- ketball and volleyball in high school. I had the option to play vol- March 17, 2004 leyball in first year but I’m more inclined to basketball. OP: Have you ever met Wilson, editor of the Wilson Section of the Other Press? Rowinska: Yes. OP: Interesting. Onto other topics, black, pink or blue? Rowinska: Blue. OP: 99.3, 95.3, 101.1, or that Mexican radio station? Rowinska: I'll have to say 95.3. OP: What are you going to dress up as for Hallowe'en? Rowinska: I don’t dress up, I never do. OP: Are you superstitious? Rowinksa: No. OP: If you were an animal, what would you be? Rowinska: I'll have to get back to you on that. OP: What sense would you choose if you could only have one? Rowinska: Sight. I think it’s the most important to have. OP: Is Santa Claus real? Rowinska: Yes. In Polish it’s Mikowaj. English doesn’t have the right letter so it sort of looks like how it’s spelled. If someone knows Polish they are going to laugh. OP: Favourite superhero? Rowinksa: Rogue, I like the movie. OP: What's in your future? Rowinska: If I go to university it will either be the University of Alberta or Guelph. I’ve always been interested in travelling and tourism. I’m going to Thailand this summer to work at a resort. OP: Are you going to come back? Rowinska: I don’t know. I think I have to. OP: Am I less or more offensive in person? Would you even say I’m hunky? [No answer] Let’s Have a Ryan Jobb OP Contributor This years NHL playoff is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in recent memory. The caliber of hockey should be the highest since the early 90s before expansion began to affect the leagues skill level as well as the style of game played. Ironically, the same issue that strikes fear into the hearts of hockey fans will be the reason for all this high flying action. If the players and owners cannot come together and form a new col- lective bargaining agreement, don’t expect to be watching NHL hockey next season. Owners have anticipat- ed a 0-4 lockout since the 98-99 season, when they put a $300 mil- lion lockout fund in place. Since that time the owners have strategi- cally signed players to contracts that expire at the end of this season. Potential Lockout Every Year The thinking being that some sort of salary cap will be in effect allow- ing them to sign similar talent for a cheaper price. You would hate to be a team on the hook for a huge salary (e.g. Bobby Holik) not allowing yourself the flexibility to sign other players. If youre a GM who isn't going to make the playoffs and your team may not take the ice for over a year. What’s the point of keeping aging players around? You might as well cash them in while they are still worth something. Every playoff team is willing to trade a couple prospects in order to add a veteran. So now we have a majority of NHL talent fortifying to the leagues top 16 teams. No one would have thought at the start of the season that there would be teams going in to the playoffs with as much fire- power as the Colorado Avalanche. But with all the player movement leading up to the trade deadline seven or eight teams look ready to take on the 78 Canadians. It’s not only the top teams, there are some unusual suspects making moves. Nashville added scorer Steve Sullivan, Oilers picked up Petr Nedved and even the Habs went out and got Alexei Kovalev. When Montreal is making moves then you know something strange is going on. ‘Two years ago when Montreal was in the playofts it seemed like Saku Koivu and bunch of no names. This year they can roll out guys like Zednik, Kovalev, Koivu, Ryder, and Ribeiro—not too shabby. The Eastern Conference, which is usually considered the weaker of the two, is stacked from one through seven. Defending Stanley Cup champions, New Jersey Devils, have not lost any players from last year’s team but do not look as if they will finish any higher then sixth. Even if Scott Stevens returns to the line up you would have to consider them under dogs against Philly, Ottawa or even T-Bay. When was the last time the Devils were not expected to make it out of the first round? The Senators were considered the favorites at the start of the year but even they have bulked up at forward (Bondra) as well as on defense (De Vries). The leagues top teams are so com- petitive that there are 11 teams still in the running for the Presidents trophy for having the most points in the regular season. Just look at the star power that comes with a Philly/Detroit match up. It will get even better when Lang, Datsyuk, Primeau, and Roenick return from injuries. Let’s not forget the home town boys, they have added to an already stellar lineup without losing any warm bodies. I think the one thing they are missing that would elevate them to an elite team is a http://www.otherpress.ca power forward. A big, nasty, first line, 40-goal type of guy. Too bad they don’t have someone like that for the playoffs. Some people may argue that it doesn't matter how much talent is on the ice, if the teams decide to play the trap the hockey will still be tough to watch. I don’t think that will happen. Teams that play the trap are like boxer’s who are afraid to let their hands go because he they can't punch with the other fighter. With the majority of the playoff teams looking so powerful they should have the confidence to forecheck and have players jump in to the rush. Scoring has increased over the past month and so has the action. Hopefully this years playoffs sends a message to the NHL and they realize how much better off their league would be with 24-26 teams. Saas Page 21