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HomeSportsHartley Miller’s Hart Attack – November 28, 2014 Edition 499

Hartley Miller’s Hart Attack – November 28, 2014 Edition 499

Canadian Traditions include (Canada Day) July 1st, Thanksgiving and the Grey Cup.

Sure there are other prominent customary festivities, but the three aforementioned traditions have a way of rallying all Canadians together regardless if they live in a province such as Prince Edward Island or a city such as Prince George.

The Grey Cup is a party, a gala, a special event, yes one big bash. It’s for the young and old, healthy and ill, rich and poor, football and non-football fans.

Grey Cup is also about the Best Of The West battling the Beasts Of The East. Forget about counting calories, Sunday is a day to indulge, watch the biggest TV screen possible and together with family and/or friends, or quietly in one’s home put the feet up and relish the moment.

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Throughout the years I admit that my interest in the CFL has faded. I’m not sure there is one specific reason why I watch less Canadian Football games than 15 or 20 years ago, but the lure of NFL action contributes to the change.

If the average Canadian was asked to pick one, watching the Grey Cup or Super Bowl, I think we know what the answer would be.

In Canada we usually choose to watch a Habs-Leafs or Canucks-Flames hockey game over a Bruins-Rangers or Blackhawks-Red Wings match-up. We also would tune in the Blue Jays MLB game ahead of the Yankees game. In addition, a Raptors NBA game (We the North) has much more appeal than a game featuring the Spurs. Yes, even Toronto based teams grab our interest ahead of high profile teams south of the border.

Furthermore, if a major international story breaks, we would be much more inclined to watch Canadian television coverage from the CBC over the American offering from CNN. As proud Canadians, we want to support our economy, our troops, our fellow citizens ahead of anybody else, including the Americans.

However, when it comes to football, I and millions of others lean to the NFL over CFL. This doesn’t mean the CFL isn’t a great game or doesn’t fill a need, but the NFL glitz has grabbed our attention. Let’s be honest, how many people do you know participate in a CFL pool compared to one in the NFL? Also, how many people do you know can name more CFL than NFL players?

On Canadian television, February’s Super Bowl blowout game (Seattle 43 Denver 8) drew an average audience of 7.3-million viewers on CTV. In contrast, television ratings for the 101th Grey Cup game last year (Saskatchewan 45 Hamilton 23) according to data from BBM Canada found it attracted an average audience of 4.5 million viewers on TSN.

Sure, one can suggest that the Super Bowl commercials are more enticing for the casual or non-fan than the game itself, but in essence, the CFL is more regional than broad appeal.

Naturally, fans in Calgary and Hamilton will be entrenched in Sunday’s game but here in B.C. although the game is in Vancouver, the interest is nominal without the Lions as a participant.

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Until last year, the previous 15 Grey Cup games were decided by 13 points or less; however, only six of those had a final outcome decided by a converted touchdown or less.

The Stampeders (15-3 in the regular season) are favoured by eight over the (9-9) Tiger-Cats. Calgary is coming off a 43 point performance on an Eskimos defence that allowed the fewest points against in the regular season. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who threw for 336 yards and four touchdowns without an interception against Edmonton, might be thinking the Stamps can score 50 against the Ti-Cats.

Hamilton fans can be optimistic if one puts value on the two regular-season games that were competitive with Calgary winning 10-7 and 30-20.

Hunger is a saw-off. Hamilton lost last year’s Grey Cup to the host Roughriders, while Calgary fell 35-22 to the host Toronto Argonauts in the 2012 Grey Cup game.

Let’s hope the Stampeders-Tiger-Cats game brings a special memory. Who could ever forget the infamous 13th man game in 2009? Montreal beat Saskatchewan in Calgary 28-27 on a last play 33-yard Damon Duval field goal. Duval appeared to lose the game after missing his first attempt, but was given a second chance because Saskatchewan had 13 players on the field.

In 1962, there was the unforgettable Fog Bowl Grey Cup game played in Toronto. It started December 1st, was halted due to fog in the 4th quarter and resumed December 2nd with Winnipeg holding on for a 28-27 victory over Hamilton. These kinds of games are classic moments that will remain part of “Canadian” culture and heritage.

Oh, by the way, just for the record, I am picking the Stampeders to win but by just a touchdown.

From the Quote Rack:

Pablo Sandoval on leaving San Francisco. “I need a new challenge.” Well, if Panda wanted a REAL challenge, why didn’t he sign with the Cubs?

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In the NFC South they seem to be on a mission – to have the first division winner that wouldn’t be able to qualify for the college football playoffs.

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

Scarborough High School, near Houston, got into the playoffs with an 0-10 record. So, how did they get into the NFC South, anyway?

The Buccaneers serve water that has coloring instead of alcohol–so stop complaining Seahawk beer drinkers.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says that he is not out of touch with player Personal Conduct policies. Goodell then announced that he was suspending Bill Cosby indefinitely.

Passengers had to go out in -53 degree weather in Siberia to push their plane out to the taxiway. When did Jet Blue start service to Siberia?

Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)

And in case you missed it:

Aaron Rodgers girlfriend, Olivia Munn, had nude photos of her posted online. Despite Thursday being American Thanksgiving, I doubt men will be upset by that lack of dressing.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com

Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on hqprincegeorge.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller

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