Author Archives: Kieran Phagura

Abbotsford Canucks fall in game 2

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It wasn’t meant to be for both Canucks teams last night, as the Abbotsford Canucks lost 5-4 to the Colorado Eagles last night in game two of the first round matchup of the Calder Cup playoffs.

 

Looking to finish off the series and move on in the playoffs, the Canucks took on the Eagles in Colorado last night in a nine goal affair. It wasn’t the start Abbotsford wanted however as they went down as Nikolai Kovalenko scored just over 13 minutes into the game after a pass was intercepted by Brad Hunt and set up the goal for him. It went from bad to worse in the first period for the Canucks as Tanner Kero put the Eagles up 2-0 a minute later with his first postseason goal of the season. Abbotsford was able to get one back just before the period ended, as Aatu Raty tipped home a goal off of a Tristen Nielsen shot. The first frame of hockey ended 2-1 in favour of the Colorado Eagles.

The second period started horrifically for the Canucks as Callahan Burke scored an unassisted goal for his second goal of the postseason. For the second time this game it went from worse to even worse and the Eagles scored three and a half minutes later as Spencer Smallman scored another unassisted goal to make the game 4-1. Just when fans thought the game was over and done with, the Canucks finally decided to lock in and play some hockey. Just over a minute later, Christian Wolanin scored as he snuck the puck past Eagles goalie to cut the lead in half for the second time this game. Arshdeep Bains assisted and picked up his second point in as many games. Things started looking up for the Canucks as they were awarded a power play late in the second period. The man advantage was enough for Linus Karlsson to rip home a goal late in the period and make the score 4-3 going into the final period. The Canucks knew they needed to do something to keep the game alive and they fought all period to get it. Penalties came and went with neither team taking advantage of the power plays. Then up stood defenseman Akito Hirose for the Canucks who scored an unassisted goal to tie the game just over half way through the third period. Both teams continued to have chances for the rest of regulation but nothing came from all of the pressure and overtime was needed.

The Canucks worked hard to tie the game up and send it to OT, however it wasn’t enough as Chris Wagner tipped in a goal from a Brad Hunt shot three minutes into overtime. The final score was 5-4.

With Colorado forcing game three, Vancouver will have to battle hard to move on to the next round of the playoffs. Puck drop is at 1:05pm PST in Colorado.

Vancouver Canucks bounce back in game 3

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Game three of the first round went in favour of the Vancouver Canucks last night, with a final score of 2-1.

Vancouver started off the game very slowly, not registering a shot on goal until they were over thirteen minutes into the first period. However despite not taking many shots to start the game, the Canucks made it count and took advantage of their power plays last night, as J.T. Miller scored on the first shot of the game for the Canucks. Quinn Hughes registered his third point of the series with another assist, and Elias Petterrson gained his first point of the series, also being credited with the assist. The first period ended 1-0 for the Canucks, while they only produced three shots on goal compared to Nashville’s five. The second period started off hot for Vancouver, who took advantage of another power play to make the game 2-0. Brock Boeser scored just over four and a half minutes into the period after a Roman Josi tripping penalty. Boeser was assisted by Hughes (4th point) and Miller (3rd point). The Canucks held on for another period and goalie Casey DeSmith kept the shut out going with 16 saves through two periods. Vancouver also had killed off all five of Nashville’s power plays through two periods. 

The third period is where things started getting dicey. Vancouver again only registered three shots on goal to bring their total for the game up to 12, while Nashville poured on the pressure racking up 14 shots on goal in the period, bringing their total to 30. The game continued 2-0 for the majority of the game, until Luke Evangelista rifled in a wrist shot just under 17 minutes into the game. The Canucks kept holding through man-advantages, shutting the Preds out on power plays for the night, and not letting the 6-on-5, after Nashville pulled their goalie, get to them. This game kind of seemed like the hockey gods were giving back to Vancouver after their lack lustered game two performance. The Canucks turned the tables and blocked an insane 28 shots of their own, not allowing the Preds to get many great looks on goal. As for offensively, the Canucks still seem very passive when in the attacking end, only registering 51 shots over the three games. Now regardless of how many shots they got, the Canucks scored when it mattered most and finally looked like a bit of a threat on the power play. But the true star of the game was DeSmith who stood on his head last night and did his best to fill in Demkos skates. He ended the night with 29 saves and a .967 save percentage.

The Canucks look to bring the Predators to the brink of elimination in game four on Sunday, which then heads back to Vancouver for game five on Tuesday the 30th. Game four puck drop is at 2:00pm PST on the 28th.

Abbotsford Canucks begin playoff run

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It’s not only the Vancouver Canucks that have started their hunt for a trophy to end the season. Their farm team, the Abbotsford Canucks began their playoff run the exact same way as their parent team with a 4-2 win over the Colorado Eagles.

The game started out hot for the Canucks as Arshdeep Bains opened up the scoring just under two minutes into the game off of a rebound from a John Stevens shot. It was just the start that they needed to try and assert their dominance in the Calder Cup playoffs. However it didn’t last long, as Colorado scored just on a power play later that period to make it 1-1. The score remained the same for the rest of the period, and the Canucks had to kill off the powerplay a couple times before Sheldon Dries fired home a shot to make it 2-1. However again, the lead didn’t last long and the Eagles were right back in the game with an Ivan Ivan goal. Abbotsford was in need of a hero and up stepped Dries again to make it a 3-2 going into the final period. After multiple great saves from Canucks goalie Zach Sawchenko to keep them in the lead, the Eagles pulled away with an empty net goal from the Canucks regular season point leader Linus Karlsson. The game ended 4-2 and Abbotsford goes up 1-0 in the best of three series, if the Canucks win again tonight, they move onto the next round. 

There was plenty to be happy about after Vancouver’s game one win on Wednesday. And that’s no surprise based off of the kind of hockey they were playing going into the playoffs. Head coach Jeremy Colliton thinks that his team answered the call of the intimidating playoffs. 

“I thought we finished the season really well. We won nine of our last 11 and it was more than just the results. We challenged the group to prepare better and play a playoff style. The guys really answered the call. We feel like our game is in a good place with how we’re playing, and understanding what it takes to win playoff-style games. And that’s a good feeling.” Jeremy Colliton, Head Coach, Abbotsford Canucks.

Game two of the first round series is tonight at 6:05pm PST in Colorado, and if that game ends not in the favour of the Canucks, they will play again on Sunday the 28th at 1:05pm.

Redbull Wings for Life World Run

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If you love the running scene but don’t want to commit to a full marathon at the BMO Marathon, then this is the run for you!

The Redbull Wings for Life World Run is the world’s largest communal running event, as it connects runners and athletes all over the world to join in a one-of-a-kind format. The format of the run is super unique and gives every runner the chance to run at their own pace. Runners all over the world start the run at the same time, for Vancouver it’s 4:00am, and try to outrun the virtual Catcher Car that acts as a moving finish line. The concept is simple, keep running until the car catches you and stop when it does! All you have to do is register yourself, download the app, and follow the instructions on there and you’re all set.

The purpose of the run is to raise awareness and find a cure for spinal cord injuries. Many athletes and people around the world suffer terrible back injuries that can leave them paralyzed, with no feeling in their legs or even their arms as well. Wings for Life’s goal is to try and help these people around the world, with all of the entry fees going towards this cutting edge research. 

Now you’re probably thinking, what the heck is a catcher car?! Well here’s what you need to know. The Catcher Car, also known as the moving finish line, begins its virtual “hunt” thirty minutes after the race begins. After the thirty minutes is up, it slowly starts moving towards any participants in the run. It keeps going until the last person in the world, yes the whole world, running gets caught by it, no matter how long it takes. What makes this race so fun and unique is that every single person who does across the globe starts at the exact same time. Whether you’re starting the run at 4:00am on the west coast of Canada, 7:00am on the east coast of Canada, or 12:00pm all the way in Europe, everyone starts together. Last year, the final survivor of the run was Jo Fukuda from Japan, who ran a grand total of 69.01km in Shinjuku Ku Jingu Gaien.

As of right now, Redbulls Wings for Life World Run has accumulated over $64 million CAD, over 11.8 million kilometres ran, 1.2 plus million participants, and over 165 countries have joined. The run takes place Sunday May 5th, at 4:00am Vancouver time, the starting position, if you choose to run with a crowd, is at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Do you think you could last very long against the Catcher Car? Let us know in the comments!

Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson

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It’s not very often kids from the Lower Mainland have a chance to make it to the big leagues, and it’s even less often for them to be drafted by an MLB team.

Enter Matt “TugBoat” Wilkinson. This kid is a beast. It’s no wonder why the Cleveland Guardians drafted him back in July, 2022. But, just like most other young draftees, he has to make his way through the minors and make a name for himself to get to the big leagues. Matt grew up playing baseball in Ladner, BC, and everyone knew since the day he started playing baseball that he was a special player. His size and strength helped him dominate against kids his age, allowing him to play up with kids who were two to three years older than him. 

Wilkinson entered history books last night with his unreal performance for the Lynchburg Hillcats. He started the game off hot, striking out the first seven batters he faced, giving his defence the afternoon off. It just got better and better for Tugboat and the Hillcats yesterday. He managed six scoreless innings from the mound, and didn’t allow a single hit. In total, he struck out fifteen, yes FIFTEEN, out of the eighteen batters he faced last night. If you don’t know a lot about baseball, just know that is insane.

He ended his night in the top of the sixth inning by striking out all three hitters, only walking one batter in the fourth inning. Matt said post game that he tries to do this every game, and tries his best to help the team when he can. 

“It’s what I try to do every time… You just have to try not to make that moment too big for yourself and just do whatever you can to help the team win. That’s what I did tonight.” Matt Wilkinson, Starting LPH, Lynchburg Hillcats.

This performance puts Tugboat in the history books, yes the 21-year old is already in the same books as some of the MLBs best pitchers. Since 2005 in the MiLB and the MLB, there have only been eleven other pitchers to strike out fifteen hitters without allowing a hit. Some of those MLB names include Clayton Kershaw, and Max Scherzer… both pitches ultimately bound for the MLB Hall of Fame. It’s crazy to think that a kid from such a small town in British Columbia is already in the same sentence as those two pitchers, but Matt knows that this is the kind of stuff that will only make him work harder.

“Being in the same names as those guys makes me want to keep working even harder to get to where I want to be” Matt Wilkinson, Starting LHP, Lynchburg Hillcats.

Tugboat has started his season strong with a 2-0 record, 0.44 ERA, and 41 strikeouts in 20 ⅔ innings pitched.

BMO Marathon continues to grow

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This year’s BMO Marathon is looking to be quite the spectacle, having over twenty-two thousand registrants sign up this year. With that many people looking to take part in Canada’s largest marathon since 2018, the event is already sold out due to capacity limits. 

The BMO Marathon is a run that many people strive to be able to compete in every year, bringing that number well over 22 000 runners, two thousand more than last year. It’s crazy to think that only thirty-two people completed the run in 1972 when the race first started. The BMO Marathon has been recognized by news outlets all over the world, including Forbes, CNN, and USA Today. It is known for its scenic views, including visible mountain ranges, cherry blossoms in full bloom, and 70% of the course being taken up by shoreline views. Along with traditionally selling out, the marathon also sees runners from 65+ countries come and participate.

(Stirl & Rae Photography / Elites)

Way back in 1972, a man named Tom Howard from Surrey BC, brought a handful of runners to run around Stanley park ten times to complete the first “British Columbia Marathon”. Since then, the event has expanded to allow as many people to participate as possible. It now includes a kids run, an 8km run, and a half marathon as well. The BMO Marathon has seen many famous olympians, Canadians, and international athletes compete and take home the Vancouver Marathon title. The current record holder for the race is Yuki Kawauchi from Canada, who finished the race in an outstanding 2:15:01.

The course has changed a few times over the years, but the path that it is on now is very well known and has been well received from many participants since it changed in 2012. The course starts with a loop around the outside of Queen Elizabeth Park, once that is completed, runners head down to West 49th Ave. After running for six kilometres, contestants will head north and begin their loop along the outside of UBC, before heading towards Spanish Banks, Jericho and Kitsilano beaches. Once completing the first twenty-nine kilometres, runners will head up Burrard St bridge before heading towards the final stretch which is around the Stanley Park Seawall. The race concludes at Downtown Pender Street. 

The 2024 BMO Marathon is the biggest marathon Vancouver has ever seen, and has seen back to back record breaking years. The event grew 10% since the last year, and it looks like it will never stop growing.

Viewing party at Rogers Arena

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The Vancouver Canucks are back in action tonight as they take on the Nashville Predators in game three of the first round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But, how likely is it that you’re going to be in Nashville to watch? Doesn’t matter! You can watch the game inside Rogers Arena with hundreds of other fans on the big screen and cheer on the team from there.

The fans hope the Canucks can turn things around after an underwhelming performance in game two. Rogers Arena is pulling out all the stops for Vancouverites looking to get the experience of being in the arena during gameday. The doors will be opening at 3:30pm, and the pregame show will be as close to a home game as it possibly can be. The national anthem, siren crank, in game hosts and FIN himself will all be there. Every fan with a seat will get their own rally towel, enjoy live music, contests, and giveaways during breaks and intermissions. This is all for the fans, and thanks to president of sports and entertainment Michael Doyle, more fans and families can experience a home playoff game. 

“For fans that haven’t been able to attend a home playoff game this season, we are replicating the experience for Friday’s Rogers Away Game Viewing Party so more fans and families can join us on our playoff journey. We want our players to hear us in Nashville and know that we are all together and all in.” Michael Doyle, President of Canucks Sports and Entertainment, Business Operations.

The success of this viewing party has been so high, that the arena is now selling tickets to some upper bowl tickets after they almost sold out of the lower bowl seats. There will be a selection of concession stands open on levels 100 and 300, and each ticket holder will have the opportunity to buy a Rogers Value Meal that will be available on the concourse. Now I don’t know about you, but $15 for a watch party with hundreds of other Canucks fans and some cheap food on top of it? That sounds like a pretty damn good way to spend a Friday afternoon. And to make it even better, the money from each ticket is going to the Canucks for Kids fund.

Puck drop is at 4:30pm PST and 6:30pm CST for those of you who might be lucky enough to be  watching in Nashville. Game four is on Sunday at 2:00pm but no plans to have a viewing party have been announced yet.

Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair

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The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is back in action this year, taking place over the May long weekend. This rodeo is a longtime tradition for the city of Cloverdale and the Lower Mainland, starting all the way back in 1888.

The rodeo was founded to promote agricultural development in the Lower Fraser Valley, offer a venue for community social and recreational activities, and host agricultural fairs, exhibitions, race meets, and various social, sporting, and recreational events. But before it was the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, back in 1888 it was called the Lower Fraser Valley Annual Exhibition, and instead of being held over the May long weekend, it took place early in the fall. The event has changed a lot over the years, and it wasn’t until 1946 when the Cloverdale Rodeo was founded, and then fifty years later the two events came together to become the event that everyone now knows and loves.

The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair has become a yearly tradition for many people in the Lower Mainland, and invites new people to come check it out every year. With many different activities, there is always something to do for everyone. The rodeo being the biggest attraction, will host ninety-six of the worlds best cowboys and cowgirls who will perform in five different formats. Some of those include, bareback riding, ladies barrel racing, and bull riding! The rodeo contest takes place over the whole week, with POOL A starting off the event at 7:30pm on Friday the 17th, and the finals taking place at 2:00pm on Monday the 20th. The 2023 Cloverdale Invitational Champions and the 2023 Canadian Rodeo Champions are all invited back to compete.

There is much more to the rodeo than just the rodeo itself, with a wide array of things to do, you won’t find yourself unoccupied for very long. If cowboys and cowgirls aren’t your thing, check out the Country Fair side of things! When purchasing your tickets, you have four choices at checkout: admission only, rodeo, ride passes, and Longhorn Saloon tickets. To get access to the rodeo, ride passes, and Longhorn Saloon, you need to buy your admission tickets first. Ticket prices vary anywhere from $12 to $45, so you’re never breaking the bank when visiting! The Longhorn Saloon now has VIP packages that are the newest addition to the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. For anyone looking to keep the party going late into the night, this is definitely the place to be.

https://www.facebook.com/CloverdaleRodeo/posts/pfbid07inm5N6uE9kAv4HeV2gCsEMnJ2nvvcEiHhixbUKa9xKceqqxAhB6z1kyH6WbGEwnl

Exact details of gates opening and closing have not been released yet, but be sure to buy those tickets in advance if you’re looking for a great way to spend your May long weekend!

Hastings Racecourse Opening Day

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This ones for all of my sports betting folk out there. If you have never tried live betting at a horse race, then you are missing out.

April 27th marks the highly anticipated opening day at Vancouver’s racecourse, promising excitement and entertainment for all who attend. The opening day will be a party, with the racecourse pulling out all the stops to host an amazing event featuring live DJs, great food and drinks, free activities, and so much more.

Even if you’re not into gambling, there’s plenty to enjoy at the racecourse. It’s the perfect outing for friends and families. From the moment you step onto the grounds, you’ll be in love with what the event has to offer. The horses and their jockeys are the stars of the show, delivering amazing performances that will leave you in awe of their skill. Beyond the thrilling races, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re indulging in delicious treats, dancing to the music, or exploring the various activities, there’s never a dull moment at the racecourse. It’s a day of fun and excitement that you won’t want to miss.

As exhilarating as a day at the racecourse can be, BC Racebook, the company responsible for organizing the event, maintains a strict policy regarding underage betting. They stick closely to the regulations established, ensuring that all bettors must provide identification before placing any bets. The minimum age requirement for gambling while attending the event is 19 years old. If you get there early enough, BC Racebook is offering a free ‘mystery wallet’ to anyone who can find the Racebook tent. With this you get a free wallet, and a free voucher that you can use to bet any horse of your choosing! Sounds like an awesome opportunity to win some free money!

The anticipation builds as the opening day race is set to commence at 2:30pm on Saturday the 27th. Despite the thrill of the races, BC Racebook prioritizes responsible gambling and upholds the legal age limit for participation. This commitment to integrity ensures a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees. Admission to the racecourse is always free, welcoming racing enthusiasts of all ages to experience the excitement of the track. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or simply enjoy the atmosphere, the racecourse offers entertainment for everyone. So, gather your friends and family for a day of thrilling races and unforgettable moments at BC Racebook’s event.

Vancouver Canadians April 24th recap

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The Canadians lost again to Spokane last night, falling to 7-10 on the season, and are now fourth in the Northwest league. 

Another disappointing evening for the Canadians after losing 5-4 last night. But hey, at least they didn’t get shut out again, so that’s a positive. The lousy weather stopped just around the time the first pitch was being thrown, but the field conditions did not look great out there. As someone who played baseball for fifteen years, there’s not much worse than playing baseball in the rain. 

Vancouver took advantage of the two errors Spokane provided them, third baseman Ryan McCarty scored in the bottom of the first after being hit by a pitch, and scoring off of a throwing error from Indians centre fielder Cole Carrigg. The Canadians pitcher Kevin Miranda  and the defence behind was solid for the first two innings, however when the top of the third inning came around it fell apart. After securing the first two outs of the inning, Spokane rallied behind a couple of well-timed hits and errors from the Canadians to score three, to make the score 3-1. 

Miranda only lasted four innings, allowing three runs on five hits, racking up three errors and bringing his ERA up to 3.55. He moves to 1-1 in the season as a starter. Blake Adams, starting pitcher for the Indians, lasted six innings only allowing one run on two hits, with four strikeouts. His ERA sits at an incredible 0.53 and is now 2-0 as a starter. 

As for the rest of the game, the Canadians couldn’t get much going and Spokane put up two more runs to put them up 5-1. It all looked pretty much over for Vancouver until the bottom of ninth. The Canadians took advantage of a couple of walks given to them by pitcher Sergio Sanchez, with two runners on base and one out, catcher Jackson Hornung hit a three-run home run to make it a score ball game. Unfortunately that was all the Canadians had in them, as first baseman Brennan Orf struckout, and left fielder Dylan Rock hit a fly ball to left field for the last out of the ball game. 

Vancouver used errors, walks and their well timed base hits to score their runs yesterday, but their measly .100 batting average last night wasn’t enough compared to Spokane’s 0.294 and their ten hits. 

The game tonight is postponed to tomorrow where they will now be playing a double head after their ‘Nooner at the Nat’. Ryan Jennings, 0-1, 0.75 ERA, gets the start for the first game tomorrow, and will be going up against Chase Dollander who has a 2.93 ERA. The Vancouver Canadians look to turn things around and find their first win over Spokane this season.

First pitch is tomorrow at 1:05pm at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey stadium, go out and support your Vancouver Canadians!