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REDBLACKS stun Blue Bombers in comeback win

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OTTAWA – With three quarters down, the Ottawa REDBLACKS looked to be down and out against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

But a last minute drive that saw Dustin Crum send the game to overtime in his first CFL start helped spark a 31-28 win for the REDBLACKS, running in the overtime winner as well.

Crum threw for 261 yards and an interception and rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns while Brandin Dandridge scored the REDBLACKS’ only touchdown of the game from a pick.

Zach Collaros threw for 349 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, and Drew Wolitarsky grabbed four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

With the Bombers defence ready to play early, Willie Jefferson recorded his seventh sack of the season on Crum, who was the fourth starting quarterback in five games for the REDBLACKS.

Collaros was putting all of his receivers to work in the first half, as Dalton Schoen, his most-targeted receiver, helped moved downfield alongside Wolitarsky who is on pace for his best season yet.

Having to settle for a field goal the first time the Bombers got downfield, Rasheed Bailey looked like a touchdown was going to come, but Abdul Kanneh got the pass break-up for the REDBLACKS.

But a 15-yard misconduct penalty put Winnipeg back on the one-yard line, and Dakota Prukop found his way into the end zone and increased the Bombers lead to 11-0.

The first sack of Adam Bighill‘s season forced a two-and-out for Ottawa, and their next drive fown Demario Houston grabbed a pick to keep the REDBLACKS from generating any offence.

While Ottawa’s defenders were able to get to Collaros, he was able to get the ball out of his hands and to his receivers in time to push the drive downfield. Collaros then once again found Schoen wide open for the 12th Bombers’ first down in first half, which set up a Nic Demski touchdown to extend their lead.

Trying to get something moving offensively, the REDBLACKS get first first down of game with 4:22 left in second quarter and made their way into Bomber territory to set up an 47-yard Lewis Ward yard field goal to get on the board.

Alonzo Addae made tackle on Demski forced a three-and-out for the Redblacks to get the ball back, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the fourth sack on Crum of the half came to close out the second quarter of action.

After Jefferson continued to pressure and hit Crum, the REDBLACKS still managed to move the ball well and opened the second half with a field goal from Ward to get another three points on the board.

Two drives later, Wolitarsky went on to score his fourth touchdown of the season on an eight-yard reception from Collaros that extended the lead to 25-6 that put the game completely in Winnipeg’s hands.

The REDBLACKS would march downfield but once again had to settle for their third field goal of the night, which did not seem like it would be enough to cut into the Blue Bombers lead.

But in front of their home crowd, they continued to push, and with less than three minutes to play their defence were the ones who got the first touchdown for Ottawa as Brandin Dandridge picked off Collaros for a 25-yard score.

With a successful two-point conversion, the score was suddenly an eight-point game with 11 of Ottawa’s points coming in the fourth quarter.

Starting on their own 17 with under a minute to play, the REDBLACKS kept pushing to make a statement in the game, and after marching downfield they made it to the red zone with nine seconds left on the clock.

The ball was snapped to Crum, and without an open receiver, he took the ball to the end zone himself, and another two-point conversion tied the game at 25-25 forcing overtime.

To start overtime, the REDBLACKS defence got to Collaros quickly and sacked him for a loss of 11 yards, and the team had to settle for a field goal.

Once the REDBLACKS got the ball back, Crum used his legs once again to run in a 29-yard score and seal the comeback win.

 

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Vancouver Canucks winger Joshua set for season debut after cancer treatment

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Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua is set to make his season debut Thursday after missing time for cancer treatment.

Head coach Rick Tocchet says Joshua will slot into the lineup Thursday when Vancouver (8-3-3) hosts the New York Islanders.

The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., was diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer and underwent surgery in early September.

He spoke earlier this month about his recovery, saying it had been “very hard to go through” and that he was thankful for support from his friends, family, teammates and fans.

“That was a scary time but I am very thankful and just happy to be in this position still and be able to go out there and play,,” Joshua said following Thursday’s morning skate.

The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games, then added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.

Now, he’s ready to focus on contributing again.

“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be perfect right from the get-go, but it’s about putting your best foot forward and working your way to a point of perfection.”

The six-foot-three, 206-pound Joshua signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.

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PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

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TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

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