Sports – Page 57 – The Western Howl

By: Burke De Boer
Sports Editor

Canada may very well be back in 2017.

The 2016 National Hockey League season was characterized by an all-American playoff race. For the first time in 46 years, not a single Canadian team posted a good enough record to make it into the postseason.

But we are now halfway into the 2016-17 season, and each one of the seven Canadian teams remains competitive in the playoff hunt.

The most prominent of these is the Montreal Canadiens, currently on top of the Atlantic Division.

The high profile trade that sent PK Subban to Nashville and Shea Weber to Montreal was the jaw-dropping move of the offseason. Subban is younger than Weber and moves the puck across the ice quicker. Since the Canadiens drafted him in 2007, he has become an organizational icon and is known around the league as one of the elite defensemen.

Similarly, the Predators had a great defensive scheme. Weber was an important part of the team, but when the news broke it seemed it was all coming up for the Predators. Nashville mediaman Brooks Bratten reported that Subban said he felt, “a whole closer to winning the Stanley Cup.”

But with Carey Price in goal and the defense altered to protect him, the Canadiens are looking tougher than they have in a long time.

Meanwhile, a coaching change in Ottawa has seen the Senators stay on the Canadiens’ heels at the top of the Atlantic Division. Under head coach Guy Boucher, the Senators have improved on defense, special teams and puck possession.

Out west, the Edmonton Oilers are gripped in the throes of the longest currently active playoff drought in hockey. 20-year-old Connor McDavid has ripped 14 goals and 36 assists this season. Though not old enough to drink alcohol when his team travels to our side of the border, McDavid is leading his team in their race for a playoff return.

Their Albertan rivals, the Calgary Flames, are neck and neck with the Oilers.

The Flames roster features all-star Johnny Gaudreau and Hart Memorial Trophy candidate Matthew Tkachuk. The Flames are scrappy, and have recorded upsets against higher-ranked teams such as the Ducks, Sharks and Bruins.

In one game against the Vancouver Canucks, who are on the playoff bubble after a midseason win streak, the Flames defense allowed only 13 shots, while their offense put up 46. But the Canucks came away with the win due to shoddy goaltending from Brian Elliott, which has cemented the brick wall of Chad Johnson as the Flames’ man in goal.

The following night, with Johnson’s goaltending, the Flames became the team that ended the Canucks’ impressive run. Though they began with a rough start, Vancouver seems to have learned from their losses and improved to being a scary team to face.

Vancouver are joined in the Canadian fringe by the Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The young Leafs team is getting better, and the Jets continue to punch above their weight despite rampant injuries.

Whether or not all Canadian teams make the postseason cut, it has been quite a turnaround from last year.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

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High-scoring Snook not enough to sneak out win

By: Burke De Boer
Sports Editor

It was a tough week on the road for the Wolves, who suffered losses visiting Concordia and Montana State Billings.

A 30-point performance from Shelby Snook in Billings wasn’t enough for the Wolves to return to Monmouth with a win. Neither were her nine rebounds and eight assists.

Sydney Azorr put up consistent numbers in both games, scoring nine against Concordia and 11 against MSU Billings. Most of the rest of the roster were hot one night and cool the other.

The 46-55 loss to Concordia in Portland on Jan. 10 kept both near the bottom of the conference, now totalling two conference wins a piece.

The Wolves were more accurate and scored more in the paint when they got the chance. Kaylie Boschma scored 12 points, three of which came from a jump shot and a free throw in the final three minutes as the Wolves attempted to rally. This last ditch effort cut the Concordia lead from 12 to five before ultimately faltering.

Concordia had more turnovers and scored more off them, racking up 17 points just from turnover chances. The Concordia bench also put up 20 points when it got involved while Concordia’s defensive game kept the Wolves bench to only nine.

These problems persisted in the trip to Billings. Snook’s 30 points and the 16 put up by Jasmine Miller couldn’t lead the Wolves to victory.

MSU Billings scored 25 points off turnovers while Western Oregon only got two. And they were able to play slightly deeper into the roster, as the Billings bench put up 11 points while the Wolves were held to six.

Head coach Holli Howard-Carpenter spoke to wouwolves.com after the match. “This was a tough loss to swallow. We played them even for much of the game but just could not close the gap enough at the end,” Howard-Carpenter said. “We have to value the basketball more, we just can’t give up 25 points off turnovers, period.”

The road trip continues for the Wolves this week, when they will visit Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

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The odds against 2016

By: Burke De Boer
Sports Editor

2016 may go down as the best year in the history of sports.

In terms of historical significance and sheer entertainment, the year had highlights all across the board.

At the beginning of the year, the NFL was caught in the throes of the Carolina Panthers. They were a cocky team with the talent to back it up, having suffered only one loss in the 2015 campaign and being widely regarded as Super Bowl favorites. They lost to the Broncos in the farewell game of Peyton Manning. One of the most incredible quarterbacks in history, Manning had long been in decline as a player. Despite this, the Sheriff went out on top.

The English Premier League has seen dominance of the “Big Four” for well over a decade now, with Chelsea, Arsenal and the Manchesters regularly filling the top four spots on the table at the end of the year. But for the first time in their 132 years as an organized club, Leicester City, only recently promoted to the Premier League, won the championship.

In June, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Carolina Panthers of the NBA. The Golden State Warriors were reigning champs and had broken the Chicago Bulls’ regular season wins record. LeBron James had rings from his time in Miami, but returned to Cleveland to “win one for the land.” In the best of seven series, the Cavs fell behind 1-3, then clawed their way back to bring the city of Cleveland its first sports title in 52 years.

In the Canadian Football League, the Calgary Stampeders played some of the best ball of all time, many calling them the greatest Canadian team in history. Their championship opponent, the Ottawa RedBlacks, represented a city that hadn’t won the Grey Cup since 1976. Their aging quarterback was on his last days of professional play, and to top it off they had barely scraped into the playoffs, not even amassing a winning record in the regular season. Onside kicks and goal line stands took the game to overtime, where the RedBlacks clinched the win.

Vols’ devil magic ruled the first half of the college football season. The Tennessee Volunteers battled back from near-losses to Appalachian State, Florida and Georgia before succumbing in second overtime to a Texas A&M team that had itself come from behind.

Elsewhere in college football, the Beavers beat the Ducks to end the longest winning streak in Civil War history at eight years. Army beat Navy to end the longest streak in Army-Navy history at fourteen years. And in the Governor’s Cup, Kentucky beat Louisville for the first time since 2010, despite Louisville’s Heisman-winning quarterback.

The Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years, themselves battling back from a 1-3 series against Cleveland.

But now we are in 2017. With so much magic condensed into a single year, it seems unlikely that 2017 will live up to its predecessor but if 2016’s taught us one thing it’s that just because something is unlikely doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

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Williams breaks out for Chargers

Chargers lose 24-31 to the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium.

By: Burke De Boer
Sports Editor

Many remember Tyrell Williams’ days as a Wolves star. Now, in the NFL, a breakout season has lead to his nomination for the VIZIO Value Performer trophy.

The trophy represents which player was the biggest bang for the buck in the regular season. Fans vote for one of the five players to decide the trophy winner.

Williams posted 1,059 yards and caught seven touchdowns throughout the San Diego Chargers’ 2016 campaign.

According to overthecap.com, Williams’ salary for this year is $525,000. In a business filled with high profile contracts, Williams’ position as an undrafted free agent who fought his way onto a team is reflected in his salary.

But Williams’ stats this year put him above world class names like Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green and Michael Crabtree. He ultimately finished the 17th ranked receiver in the country.

Voting is already open at VIZIO.com/TVP, and fans can vote as often as they want. Polls close on Jan. 16.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

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Winter Recap: Men’s Basketball

By: TK Layman
staff writer

Western Oregon men’s basketball excelled during the winter break, scoring wins over Portland Bible, Central Washington, Seattle Pacific and Saint Martin’s. The Wolves finished the winter break at 4-2.

The Wolves took on The Portland Bible Wildcats on Dec. 11 with a massive win of 114-58. Wolves’ Malik Leaks, Ali Faruq-Bey and Demetrius Trammell were the top three scorers, combining for a total of 55 points. Leaks, scoring 20, went 6-for-9 in three point attempts, with two free throws. Outscoring the Wildcats by over 25 points each half, they easily walked away with a win.

After a cancelled game due to inclement weather, the men’s team re
turned home on Dec. 29 to face off against the Central Washington Wildcats and secure another mark in the “W” column with a 98-77 win. Wolves’ Faruq-Bey had another top scorer performance with a total of 22 points making 5-for-5 in free throws. Notable performances by Western’s Demetrius Trammell and Tanner Omlid, scoring 21 and 18 points respectively.

During a Washington road trip the Wolves played against Seattle Pacific and Saint Martin’s, winning both games. Jan. 5, Western’s Tanner Omlid scored a career high 34-points going 5-for-6 in three point shots, adding in 3 blocks and 2 steals during the game. Ali Faruq-Bey scored 15 points, 11 of which came during the second half and tacked on another 4 rebounds to help the Wolves come to a close win over Seattle Pacific, 76-74.

During the last game before the break’s end, on Jan. 7, the Wolves took on Saint Martin’s in a conference game, finishing the road trip with an 80-67 win. Omlid remained hot during the road trip with an 18 point game, adding 3 blocks, 3 assists and 3 steals against Saint Martin’s. Faruq-Bey and Trammell both had high scoring nights with 17 and 14 points to their names. Wolves forward JJ Chirnside had a career high night with 13-points going 5-for-8 in field goal attempts, also posting his first collegiate double-double with 11 rebounds.

The Wolves return to Western on Thursday, Jan. 12 to face off against Simon Fraser University in the New PE building. On Saturday, Jan. 14 the Wolves play Western Washington at home during the Red Out event.

Keep up with the Wolves at wouwolves.com
Contact the author at tlayman16@mail.wou.edu

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Winter Recap: Women’s Basketball

By: TK Layman
staff writer

Western Oregon Wolves women’s basketball team struggled over the break, going 2-4, with wins over Humboldt State and Alaska Fairbanks.

Junior Guard Sydney Azorr scored at least 10 points in each of the five games played in over the break, with a high of 20 points in the win against Alaska Fairbanks.

The Wolves Women got off to a tough start when they lost at home to Southern Oregon, 50-72. Savannah Heugly led things off scoring a total of 13 points and racking up 2 assists, blocks and steals each.

Five days later they followed it up with their first road win against the Humboldt State Lumberjacks. Wolves Junior Shelby Snook led the scoring that night with 23 points, going 5-for-8 from the 3-point line. She had 9 rebounds to cap her performance in the 69-60 win against the Lumberjacks on Dec. 17. Sydney Azorr, in her first start of the season with the Wolves, totaled 13 points to her start her streak, with 7 rebounds and 1 block and steal each that night.

The Wolves women took a 12-day break to hit the road once more, this time going up against Simon Fraser in Burnaby, British Columbia. Sydney Azorr, Ali Nelke and Savannah Heugly each scored 10 points against Simon Fraser, but after a tough first half couldn’t hold on as they fell 71-57. Heugly rounded out her fifth 10+ point performance of the season with 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

In the last road game before returning home, Western Washington bested the Wolves 65-86. Shelby Snook, Sydney Azorr and Kaylie Boschma scored 16, 14, and 13 respectively.

After a loss to Alaska Anchorage, the Wolves Women played their final game of the break against Alaska Fairbanks. Playing in Monmouth, the Wolves moved their record to 6-7 for the season with a mark in the win column as they topped Alaska 67-72. Shelby Snook led scoring with 23 points, adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Sydney Azorr scored 20 points that night, making it her fifth 10+ point performance in as many games. Jasmine Miller and Kaylie Boschma each had 8 rebounds helping the Wolves secure their final win before a four game road trip.

Tuesday, Jan. 10 the Wolves women take on the Concordia Cavaliers in Portland, followed by 3 games out of state as they end the road trip with Montana State Billings, Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene.

Follow the Western Oregon Wolves at wouwolves.com
Contact the author at tlayman16@mail.wou.edu

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Split Series in the Dixie State Classic

By: Burke De Boer
Sports Editor

A monster dunk by sophomore guard Isaiah Edwards tore up CBS Sports last week, between two tournaments weekends.

Thanksgiving weekend saw the men’s team win one and lose one on the road in Utah as part of the Dixie State Classic. Tanner Omlid, junior forward, had his third double-double of the season in the tournament.

This came the week after a poor showing at home, where the Wolves found themselves on the losing end of both games at the D2 Shootout.

The weekend of basketball in Monmouth saw the Wolves face off against two California teams. The Nov. 18 game against San Francisco State took three overtimes before the Wolves narrowly fell, 93-99.

In the long game, Ali Faruq-Bey, junior guard, racked up 21 points as the points leader of the explosive offense.

Worn out from the triple overtime game, the Wolves couldn’t rebound to win the next day’s game against UC San Diego. The game was a playoff rematch, and despite a 19 point outing from senior forward Yanick Kulich, the Wolves fell again.

While the Wolves rested up, the Edwards dunk tape hit the CBS Sports Facebook page. In the video, the sophomore from Albany tosses the ball behind his back then crosses it under a leg before completing the dunk.

“My word,” was the response from CBS Sports.

The day after Thanksgiving, the Wolves topped Westminster College, lead by Omlid’s 23 points and 10 rebounds. He also tallied five steals and two blocks.

The next day, the Wolves played the host school Dixie State. Trailing early, the Wolves were forced to play catch up for the match, and couldn’t quite seal the deal. They lost 73-78.

The are now .500 on the season, at an even 3-3.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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Back from the brink to leave it all on the rink

High-scoring Snook not enough to sneak out win

The odds against 2016

Williams breaks out for Chargers

Winter Recap: Men’s Basketball

Winter Recap: Women’s Basketball

Split Series in the Dixie State Classic

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