WEDNESDAY - EVERYBODY'S WATCHING CAMROSE VS BROOKS, THE RED DEER REBELS, & INNISFAIL INDIANS

SCOREBOARD WATCHERS

The Olds Grizzlys, the Spruce Grove Saints and the Grande Prairie Storm are all stuck in limbo - that is until about 10:30 PM tonight.

By then, barring a terrific stretch of overtime, all three teams should know who their 'Final Four' opponent will be.

It all hinges on tonight's Game 7 between the Camrose Kodiaks and the Brooks Bandits.

Here's how it breaks down, should Brooks win;

Olds Grizzlys @ Spruce Grove Saints

Brooks Bandits @ Grande Prairie Storm

And if it's Camrose that takes the win;

Olds Grizzlys @ Grande Prairie Storm

Camrose Kodiaks @ Spruce Grove Saints

Game time is 7:00 and live play by play can be heard by clicking either here for Camrose or here for Brooks.

This is one of those series where home ice really seems to be an advantage as each team has struggled to win away from their own barn;

Camrose Kodiaks	@	Brooks Bandits	2 - 7
Camrose Kodiaks	@	Brooks Bandits	2 - 6
Brooks Bandits	@	Camrose Kodiaks	3 - 5
Brooks Bandits	@	Camrose Kodiaks	1 - 2
Camrose Kodiaks	@	Brooks Bandits	1 - 3
Brooks Bandits	@	Camrose Kodiaks	2 - 5

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ANOTHER ROTTEN REBELS SEASON IN THE BOOKS

The Red Deer Rebels managed to win their last game of the season, a 2-1 triumph over the Edmonton Oil Kings, but the problem is that once again their last game of the season came earlier than that of 16 other teams in the Western Hockey League.

Just eight seasons removed from a Memorial Cup and six removed from three seasons of consecutive division and conference titles the Rebels have now missed the playoffs in two consecutive seasons and three of the last four years.

Yes, it's safe to say the once feared Eastern Conference power house has seen it's fair share of struggles over the past few seasons.

But, to be fair the team has seen it's fair share of changes.

Mastermind GM and Coach Brent Sutter left the team he still owns to prove his worth in the NHL's Coaching Ranks (New Jersey Devils) in July of 2007, then his replacement, older brother Brian resigned after only a season - leaving the reins to former Calgary Flames defenceman and rookie coach Jesse Wallin.

Wallin did manage to improve the teams point totals from a year earlier, picking up 60 points as opposed to 43 the year before, but, even with the 17 point differential the Rebels still finished 6th in the Central Division for the second year in a row.

So what comes next for the Red Deer Rebels, where do they go from here and how can they return to their former glory?

I have no idea.

But, I am a glass half full kind of guy. . .so here are 3 things the Rebels can look forward to:

1) Coaching - Wallin may not have gotten the Rebels to the Post-Season, but there was an improvement over the man he replaced, and that's all you can ask of a rookie head coach.

2) Landon Ferraro - Though the Rebels' 18 year old M-V-P will likely be drafted to the NHL in the latter portion of the 1st round - it's not likely he'll be NHL ready. With that said, he could once again join the Rebels next season and that's good news for the Red Deer team considering he more than doubled his goal output from the year before and scored 22% of the teams total goals this season.

3) Alex Petrovic - this year's Rookie of the Year for the Rebels finished with 13 points and a -4 rating on the Blue-Line, but given his age and his 6'4" frame this kid is going to get nothing but better.
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SPRING TRAINING UNDERWAY

There may still be snow on the ground but the Innisfail Indians Baseball Team isn't waiting to get their spring training underway.

After only one disappointing but crucial loss last season, the Indians are hoping to get back to Parkland Baseball League glory.

Heading into 2007-08, the Indians were the defending champs but after an undefeated regular season in the P.B.L, the Tribe's first and only loss came in a semi final elimination game to the Rocky Red Dogs.

The Indians should see several returning faces which is a good thing because team officials say this year the primary goal is to bring the title back to Innisfail.

With that said, according to Ray Begeron, there will be a few open roster spots with the departure of Curtis Flewelling, Andy Willigar and Denver Wik and the Tribe hopes to have those filed by those interested in playing competitive ball this season.

The Indians will be practicing indoors until weather and field conditions allow the workouts to move outdoors.

Anyone interested in earning a spot on the Tribe's roster is asked to contact Ray at 403-227-6464.

The Parkland Baseball League is recognized by Baseball Alberta as 'AA' with a season that runs from mid-May into early August.