The South Bayview Bulldog

Leaside Junior Wildcats battled to a 1-1 tie against Cambridge Rivulettes at home Sunday. It was better than the 5-4 defeat they took Saturday night from the Barracudas in Burlington. Sunday saw markers in the first for the Rivs at 2.31 by Catherine Birkby unassisted and Quinn Johnston for Leaside at 12.57 of the second assisted by Kristin Della Rovere and Samantha Jones.  This match saw Cambridge use the rare (in our experience) tactic of pulling the goalie late in the third to try to break a tie. It did not pay off even though it appears to have precipitated a Leaside penalty which extended into overtime (Jennifer Italiano for hooking).

DISAPPOINTING

Saturday saw the Cats lose a two-goal lead which they never got back. The scoring is here. There were lots of things that seemed odd or just plain wrong. Burlington lives in 14th place in the Provincial Womens Hockey League. The shots on goal defy belief with Susanna Dunn in the Burlington net facing 36 and Shanna Dolighan merely 20. Next weekend.

The Prime Minister has the good luck to be in Madagascar as he defends his purple outpouring over the death of Fidel Castro. It keeps him away from those pesky “follow up question” reporters in Ottawa. No doubt Mr. Trudeau won’t be going into seclusion over the passing of a man who many think was altogether quite a misfortune for the world. Maybe it was the African heat that generated so much mournful language. The Bulldog generally subscribes to the “speak no ill”  approach although Leader Castro tests our restraint. In any case, it seems certain as well that the spring in the step of South Bayview shoppers out and about at Longo’s this Sunday indicates that they are not struggling with “deep sorrow” at the passing of Castro. Nary a wail was heard. Anyway, the PM says it’s okay “to acknowledge (Castro’s) achievements” even though he was a dictator. I.e. my sorrow is only exceeded by my sorrow at saying sorrow.

Down where the trendy restaurants grow on Ossington Ave. below Dundas St. police are trying to sort out a 1 a.m. knife fight Saturday that sent two men to hospital. It’s a nice corner. Two banks (CIBC and TD) a Main Drug Mart and the West Neighborhood House. The semi-social gathering consisted of a group of men “involved in an argument.” The exchange escalated and the blades came out. Needless to say the boys scattered and police must now try to figure out what really happened. The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance. But they know what to ask for — phone video. If you have any, or know anything, call 14 Division at (416) 808-1400.

All we know is that Sparks, 23, violated team policy to find himself suspended. CP24

See later post 

Bookies make the Stampeders 10 point favorites but hey, it’s football. Canadian Press

Okay calm down. This is the playing out of Germanic folklore (always scary) in which thousands of people gather in Hollabrunn, Austria to witness the traditional Krampus run. Krampus is the evil companion of Santa Claus.

The 2014 renovated Hodgson rink behind the school at 282 Davisville has opened for the season. Thirty City rinks opened Saturday and another 20 will open next weekend. Hodgson is a rare compressor-assisted outdoor rink which creates good ice in nearly all weather. The old system was replaced in 2014 and is now open again for pleasure skating and puck-swatting.  City Rinks (Toronto — Hodgson unofficial)

Premier Wynne, the MPP for Leaside, leaves today for a business mission to Japan and South Korea. She says the purpose of the mission is to generate business agreements that will “increase trade, spur investment in Ontario and create jobs.”

BOY DROWNED

In other news, a boy aged eight has drowned in a public swimming pool at the Skypark Recreation Centre on Bamburgh Circle, near Warden Avenue Friday evening. More details as they are available.

NO WINNING LOTTO

And there was no winning ticket sold for Friday nights $21 million Lotto Max jackpot.

Black Friday was a genuine blackout as power failed in London last night. Still in London, the restaurant industry has brought forth a Crisps Cafe. In British-speak, a crisp what the rest of the world calls a potato chip. And in the U.S. Donald Trump is naming people to his cabinet but he seems hung up on a choice between Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and David Petraeus among others for Secretary of State.