Author Archives: Julian Ciolli

Vancouver Warriors: a lacrosse season is right around the corner!

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NLL: Vancouver Warriors vs Philadelphia Wings

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As announced in March of this year, the National Lacrosse League had announced a return to play for December 2021, which is now approaching quicker and quicker.

Although you may not know this, British Columbia does in fact, have our own NLL team, the Vancouver Warriors, who will also be returning to their home of Rogers Arena. This season will include 18 regular-season games, Playoffs and a Championship Series, which the Warriors still wait to see the workings of.

Previously known as the Vancouver Stealth, the Vancouver Warriors are the home to lots of local lacrosse talents as well as players from across North America. Welcoming back many of their fan favourites like Mitch Jones (forward), Jordan McBride (forward) and Logan Schuss (forward), we have said good-bye to our beloved Captain and defenceman, number 2, Matt Beers as he joins the Saskatchewan Rush this season.

With the departure of Beers, we do get the opportunity to welcome new blood to the roster, such as Coquitlam locals, Reid Bowering and Matthew Dinsdale along with Anthony Kalinich of Maple Ridge, BC.

As of September 29, 2021, we received the Warriors play schedule which means we will be able to cheer on our Vancouver Warriors at home by December 17, 2021!

Their season will start off on December 3 in San Diego against the San Diego Seals and then to Fort Worth, Texas to play again the Panther City Lacrosse Club for their first-ever home game before returning to Vancouver for our home opener.

“When we finally take the opening faceoff this season, we will be 637 days between games,” comments General Manager Dan Richardson.  “That is long enough, and our players will be ready to go.  The Warriors and Canucks Sports and Entertainment look forward to getting back to NLL action and welcoming our great fans back to Rogers Arena.”

I personally can’t wait to head back to Rogers Arena to cheer on the team and see if they will be bringing back those $5 beers again. 61 days – but who’s counting?

CFL news: What can we expect from Grey Cup 2021?

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After a disappointing loss for the BC Lions at BC Place last night against the Calgary Stampeders, the BC Lions hopes for playing in the 108th Grey Cup this year are getting slimmer and slimmer.

The 108th Grey Cup Festival is being hosted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats with the final game schedule on December 12th, 2021 at 3 pm PT.

After a season off due to the unprecedented events of COVID-19, football fans across Canada are excited to see another CFL season and Grey Cup, no matter what it looked like – and let me tell you, it isn’t quite the same, but damn is it great to see our teams on the turf again!

On October 14, the Canadian Football League publicly shared that Hamilton will be hosting the 110th Grey Cup in 2023.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have been waiting for a staggering 25-years since they last hosted the Grey Cup in 1996. Tiger-Cat fans and the club are excited to host 2 Grey Cups in 3 years in the hopes that the pandemic restrictions will be lightened, if not, completely abolished.

CFL commissioner, Randy Ambrosie, shared that, “Hamilton hasn’t hosted the Grey Cup in 25 years and the league recognized that Tiger-Cats fans and Hamiltonians deserve the opportunity to host the full Grey Cup Festival experience in our city as originally intended, before the pandemic, without the lingering public health restrictions and limitations.”

The announcement of Hamilton also being awarded the Grey Cup Festival in 2023 along with this year, is raising questions on whether or not Grey Cup will look like it did pre-COVID this year.

Events like the trophy’s arrival, head coaches new conferences and league address will be held as normal, but the usual festival festivities have been cancelled due to provincial restrictions for non-seated, general-admission indoor events.

As we have grown used to, all fans interested in attending will need to be fully vaccinated. General public seating for the game will go on sale on October 26.

Hamilton will be giving us a taste test this year of what to expect for the 110th Grey Cup as they will be showing off their stadium upgrade on Tim Hortons Field since they hosted the 84th Grey Cup (most famously known as the ‘Snow Bowl’) at their then-home field of Ivor Wynne Stadium. Hopefully, this year and 2023 are a little less snowy!

No Canadian left standing in Indian Wells

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Laylah Fernandez, Canada’s rising tennis star, was eliminated from the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California on Tuesday.

After the elimination of 21-year-old Bianca Andresscu of Mississauga, Ontario, Fernandez lost to American Shelby Rogers, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 in the round of 16 in the four-round.

Fernandez, a 19-year-old from Laval, Quebec, has shown great promise in her Indian Wells Open debut ranking at 23rd in the pool of mostly seasoned professionals.

She began the BNP Paribas Open by beating Alizé Cornet, from Nice, France, in the second round of play. They proceeded to oust finalist, Anastasia Pavlyuckenkova, from Russia, in round three. However, it was in her third game against Rogers that she lost her way in a final-set tiebreaker and being eliminated just before the quarter-finals.

Some stellar moments in this game for Fernandez was her one-set lead with an opening frame which she successfully saved all four of the breakpoints she faced. She continued to go 2-for-2 on her own break-point conversion putting herself well in the running for the quarterfinals.

During the final set, both Rogers and Fernandez had a combined 15 breakpoints. They blasted shots all the way into a tiebreaker where Fernandez saved a match point at 6-5 in a dazzling all-court point.

Despite the fact Fernandez did not come out on top, the two played a nail-biter of a game that lasted 2 and a half hours.

Although she is coming off this loss and the loss she experienced to fellow teenager, Emma Raducanu, in straight sets in the finals at the US Open, Fernandez continues to be a threat on the court, currently ranking at No. 28 overall.

Fernandez is beginning to become a household name like fellow Canadian tennis sensation, Bianca Andresscu, who ranks at No. 21. Since only having her professional tennis debut in July of 2019, I am sure we will be seeing lots of Laylah Fernandez as she continues to wow us on the court.

Possibility of full capacity sports: Vancouver Canucks

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Canucks 7

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I am as excited as the next person to see another NHL season with our Vancouver Canucks, not to mention the fact they have finally welcomed fans back in their home of Rogers Arena after a nearly 20-month shutout! The past preseason games we have hosted have followed our Public Health Officers order of 50% capacity, however, Dr. Bonnie Henry might just win MVP since sharing on Tuesday that the Canucks might be playing for sold-out crowds in two weeks!

Currently, British Columbia is the only province with COVID-19 safety protocols restricting the number of spectators at an indoor event as it remains business as usual for our neighbouring provinces to the east. Rogers Arena is used to housing 18,910 screaming fans, that they have since trickled down to 9,350. Showing proof of at least having your first dose and wearing your mask unless actively eating or drinking are just a few additional precautions to ensure a safe return to play.

Another factor to take into account is that by October 24, all patrons will be required to show proof of being double vaccinated through the BC Vaccine Passport program. “Our intent was always when the full vaccine card came into effect that we would be able to go to 100 percent capacity and take away some of the other restrictions that we have in some events, like around dancing and remaining seated. So those are things we are looking at,” she said Tuesday.

With the drop of the hints from Dr. Bonnie Henry that we might see a capacity restriction on our Vancouver Canucks games lifted, the Vancouver Canucks have responded by continuing to sell single-game tickets to capacity. Don’t fret – if Henry backs down, the tickets will be refunded, and handfuls of fans will need to continue to watch from home like we have been practicing for several months now… *sigh*

Canada defeats Panama to keep their World Cup dream alive

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It was a must-win game for Canada in order to keep their 2022 FIFA World Cup dreams alive and win they did scoring 4 goals to Panama’s 1.

Canada received three crucial points for the victory moving them into third place out of the eight teams. With eight games to go, only the top three teams will qualify for the event in Qatar with the fourth-place team facing a sudden-death playoff for extra life in the 32-team tournament.

Although on paper it may seem like a comfortable win, the game was anything but for Canada. Panama the third-place team at the time scored five minutes in thanks to Panamanian striker Rolando Blackburn.

Canada did eventually tie the game in the 28th minute, as Buchanan headed the ball off Panama midfielder Christian Martinez and into the net from a corner delivered by Davies. Although, in my opinion, the first goal should have come from a penalty in the 20th minute as Davies was shoved in the penalty area but I’m not complaining.

The game remained a tie until the 65th minute thanks to Canadian superstar Alfonso Davies. After a beautiful run to Panama’s touchline, Davies blew past defender Fidel Escobar before slotting the ball into the near post past Mejia.

With their first lead in the game, Canada started to take stride adding a third goal from a beautiful header from Buchanan once again. Davies went at it again taking the ball into the opposing half before delivering the perfect cross to David inside the 18 before he tucked it away.

Canadas continued quest to qualify for the tournament will start again in November with home games against Costa Rica and Mexico at Commonwealth Stadium and a road game at Honduras.

Canada hasn’t qualified for a men’s World Cup since its only appearance in 1986 in Mexico and is currently ranked 72nd overall.

BC Lions are going back to the basics in order to save a playoff spot.

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BC Lions Home Opener

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There’s no question the Lions’ running game has been lacklustre, and if they are going to make a playoff push that has to change.

Ranking last in the league in yards-per-game and attempts the team has not been able to connect the dots averaging a measly 60.3 yards. Since 2004, the lowest B.C. has averaged per game in a full season is 81.3 rushing yards and 17.3 attempts so fingers crossed no records are broken.

Head coach Rick Campell has been concerned for a few weeks now, like forgetting if you left the stove on. But after the last game against the Bombers and their starting tailbacks combining for two net yards, the coach says they’ll have to go back to the basics if they want a chance.

 “We’re just trying to focus on what we’re good at, just getting back to the basics. We kind of got away from that

these last couple of weeks.”

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The B.C. Lions have relied far too heavily on the golden arm of quarter-back Michael Reilly whose second in the CFL in passing with 2, 047 yards and third in touchdowns with 10. However, football isn’t a one-man show (unless you’re Tom Brady). On the upside, if they can put together any sort of consistent grown game, it’ll free up Reilly to work his magic.

“I think (the run game) is very important these last few stretches of these games, just being able to control the clock … keep the ball in Mike’s hands, be ready to make plays in the offence, and give the defence a rest.”

With only six games to go in the regular season, the Lions are currently third in the West with a 4-4 record. They are currently tied in points but have a chance to change that Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders, who visit B.C. Place Stadium. It won’t be easy as the Stamps have won five of their last seven games, including two back-to-back wins against the second-place Saskatchewan Rough Riders.

Who knows what will happen but what I can tell you is that I’ll be there cheering them on and hope you’ll join me.

 

Canucks legend Gino Odjick becomes the first Indigenous player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame

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Gino Odjick

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After a battle with a life-threatening rare blood disorder, Gino Odjick has become the newest member of the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame.

Odjick, who is from the Kitigan Zibi Reservation in Quebec is the 13th Canuck to be elected into the BCSHOF but is the first indigenous player.

The certified tough guy whose job was to protect the star forwards on his team was absolutely surprised by the news saying, “I was in shock, I was like, oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening.”

Odjick played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1990 through 2002, suiting up for four different squads. Best known for his physical play and being an enforcer, he racked up a whopping 2,709 penalty minutes in 649 NHL contests. He had his highlights on offence too, totalling 142 points, including 77 goals.

“I knew what my job was. I was an enforcer, and I was there to protect the smaller guys on the team.”

Odjick’s best season with the Canucks came during the 1993-1994 campaign. He had a career-high 16 goals and even had 13 assists proving the big man could do much more than dish out punishment. However, he also did a lot of that too racking up 271 penalty minutes that same season.

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After his retirement, the Vancouver superstar focused on becoming a face and role model for his indigenous communities. He’s participated in several workshops across British Columbia that includes goal setting, building relationships, and of course how to be an all-star hockey player. His next project includes creating a scholarship through the Canucks for indigenous youth.

It’s no wonder why crowds at BC Place still chant “Gino, Gino” whenever he makes an appearance.

 

 

 

 

Vancouver Whitecaps faceoff against Sporting KC Sunday

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The Vancouver Whitecaps look to climb the playoff ladder as they host the high-scoring Sporting KC at B.C. Place on Sunday.

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Kansas arrives in Vancouver having won four of their last five games, including a 4-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo last week. The Caps will have to pull out all the stops against the highest-scoring team in the West and they themselves know the match will be anything but easy.

“We know it’s going to be really hard because, in my opinion, they’re one of the best teams in the league, but we’re up to the challenge.”- Coach Santini

The visiting team has already bested the Caps once this season, winning 3-0 at home but will no longer have the home-field advantage.

The Whitecaps flew 82,415 kilometres to and from games, by far the most in the league. Now back in Vancouver it means they can take advantage of the teams not used to the jetlag and vigorous travelling schedule and they plan to do just that on Sunday.

Since returning to their home field and not being subjected to jet lag the Caps have sealed five of six victories, the one-loss a 1-0 defeat against Portland one of the hottest teams in the Western Conference. Of the remaining six games left in the regular season, it’s a split 50/50 home and away.

“We know how hard it is to make points on the road … but I think we need to also win on the road to make the playoffs. So, we need to do very well at home but also will have to be constant and consistent in the performance, even when we go away.”-Coach Santini

The Whitecaps are currently one point back of Minnesota for seventh place and a final playoff birth but could catapult into fifth place with a win on Sunday. Although they haven’t made a post-season in three years this season will be their best chance yet.

With just two losses in their last 16 games, let’s see if our Caps can keep the hot streak alive!

Discovering an Artist in the Practice of Personal Discovery: Jayli Wolf

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Jayli Wolf is a true artist, using her life experiences as blood memory to write the narrative of her craft. Raised in British Columbia, Wolf was unknowing that she, her ancestors and her father were of the Saulteau First Nations (Anishinaabe) of Moberly Lake, BC near Fort St. Johns. She is a survivor of a Jehovah’s Witness doomsday cult which she escaped to reclaim her life as her own, fall in love and share her story to empower others.

Wolf uses her music to release the guilt taught to her in her youth around her bisexuality, depression and mental health. Wolf and her partner, Hayden Wolf, who was also a doomsday cult survivor, entered the music scene in 2015 as a duo under the name, Once A Tree. Wolf explains that “being free now, my deprogramming has also allowed me to question the societal conditioning around relationships and sexual orientation. I hope this [work] brings people feelings of power and freedom in their own personal explorations.”

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By escaping the clutches of the cult she was once in, Wolf was able to reconnect with her birth father. Together they discovered their Indigenous roots through her father’s birth records and birth family. Due to the Sixties Scoop, a series of policies enacted in Canada that legalized the removal of Indigenous children from their families to be placed in foster homes to be adopted by white families, her father had no idea of his lineage.

From finding out about her roots, Wolf embarked on her own personal journey of reclamation of her Indigenous heritage. With this came the release of her autobiographical solo debut EP, Wild Whisper (2021). This collection of music embodies the same unique, indie sound as her work in Once A Tree with Indigenous subject matter very clear in the vocals on this 6-piece album. On Wolf’s website, she writes, “I finally have to courage to use my voice in telling these stories… to shed more light on the subject matter, raise awareness, and bring comfort in solidarity with other survivors of the ‘Sixties Scoop’, sexual abuse and high-control religious groups.”

I have no doubt that this talented artist will strike a chord in you with the heartfelt lyrics and bassy sounds she shared in her music. Listen to Wild Whisper on Spotify to hear her rendition of a piece of Canadian history.

The Zolas and their COVID-19 Comeback Album, Come Back to Life

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The Zolas // NXNE 2016

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Most people coming out of the great quarantine of 2020 were set back a few steps and had little motivation, however, the indie group from Vancouver, BC, the Zolas, were quite the opposite. Not only were they able to release their fourth album in 2021, but they have also found a way to plan a Canadian tour this November!

The Zolas formed in 2009 with founding duo Zachary Gray (vocals and guitar) and Tom Dobrzanski (piano) after leaving their previous act, Lotus Child. In November of 2009, Gray and Dobrzanski released their debut album, Tic Toc Tic. A fun fact about this album is that a majority of it was recorded in a studio built in Dobrzanski’s parents’ basement while the duo was studying at the University of British Columbia.

Off this initial album, five tracks were played on CBC Radio 3 as well as XM satellite radio station, The Verge. Despite being new to the music scene, The Zolas were the 4th-most heavily tracked band on the Verge in 2010, getting them nominated for Album of the Year at The Verge XM Awards in 2011. Proof that a bit of creativity and a lot of dedication can take you a long way – even if you are still living with your parents!

The Zolas continued to find success in their following albums are releases, landing their music on the radio, in television series and finding them a profound fan base as well as a few new faces to their group. In 2015, they added in Cody Hiles and Dwight Abell before their second tour and third album release for Swooner (2016).

Bringing us to the present day. You might say, ‘damn, they took a long break!’, which is true. BUT, to promote their latest album, Come Back to Life (fitting right?), they launched a campaign called, ‘Z Days’ where they released a new single from Come Back to Life on the second day of each month. The full album was released by 2021 and it hooked fans back into the infectious grooves that make you want to get up and dance.

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With their Canadian tour around the corner, get your tickets and get vaccinated so you can enjoy some beats that are truly worth dancing to! It’s been a while since we have been able to hear live music like this, and I believe The Zolas is the best place to start!

Get your tickets here to see The Zolas live on November 26th at the Vogue Theatre!