http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/Home.aspxCheck out Mark's Stephen's blog for the inside track of everything that's happening within the Calgary sports world.en-usCopyright 2013, CHQR-AMSun, 19 May 2013 11:35:13 GMTFri, 11 Jan 2013 16:50:43 GMT1http://emmisinteractive.comOver to you hockey fans!  The National Hockey League lockout is over but will the resentment expressed during the work stoppage continue? Our talk shows, on-line forums and other venues were full of bitter comments from betrayed fans.  These fans vowed to never give the National Hockey League another nickle as punishment for the lockout. The lockout king, Gary Bettman, has at least acknowledged the fan unrest.  He issued an apology and says there will be 'outreach' programs to placate fans. If he really wants to placate fans, he can start by leaving. His history of confrontation has resulted in three lockouts and over 2,000 games cancelled.  And when this collective agreement is set to expire, there will no doubt be another lockout.  Bettman could also make his NHL Network and Centre Ice packages free to fans through March 1.  That would be a small start But the real power ...http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10488712mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10488712Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:50:43 GMTAt the root of this current National Hockey League lockout is one unassailable fact.  Both sides expect you back in the building as soon as the lockout is over.  History is on their side. During the lockout King’s (aka Gary Bettman) last two work stoppages, we heard angry fans vowing never to darken the doorways of NHL arenas again.  What happened?  The arenas were jammed, revenues soared and ratings took off league-wide.  Some boycott. That's exactly what the NHL is counting on this time.  Rage or indifference will soon give way to a big thirst for hockey. No other business could get away with that.  Could your tire shop close down three times in twenty years?  How about restaurant owners that didn’t want to pay their employees.  Could they shutdown and reopen a couple of months later?  Of course not, they would be out of business in rapid order. So ...http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10448598mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10448598Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:39:31 GMTWhen Flames winger Jarome Iginla scores a hat trick, it's a big deal for him and the Calgary Flames.  They have likely won the game and Iginla takes another step to the Hall of Fame. When National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman records a hat trick, the stakes are far different.  He is about to shutter the National Hockey League for a third time on his watch.  This is progress?  Or a step to the Hall of Shame? Put me in the latter category.  Bettman crows about the huge revenue growth in the National Hockey League.  Since the end of his last lockout, he has seen is league's revenues grow by about one billion dollars.  All the while, his owner-employers are busily spending wildly.  So rather than fix internal issues of wild spending by a group of rogue owners.  Rather than acknowledge the disparity between a group of big revenue teams ...http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10418191mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10418191Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:13:33 GMTThe Calgary Stampeders should be able to handle the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday afternoon.  However, they need to demonstrate consistency on offense.  The Henry Burris stats through the first three games are okay, but not much more.  Certainly there are mitigating factors like the chanigng cast of receivers and offensive linemen.  Drops haven't helped either but Burris has to be smoother as well.   He is facing a tough, rejuvenated quarterback in Ricky Ray.  The Edmonton ace ison fire in the early going with six touchdown passes and over 1,000 yards in the first three games.   Final Stamps 24, Edmonton 21    http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10262905mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10262905Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:41:31 GMTJay Feaster claims Flames are playoff bound.  Agree?  Not sure as this team balks at launching a full-scale youth movement.   Comments?http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10259415mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10259415Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:01:27 GMTWell...you can put to rest concerns over the Calgary Stampeders top offense.  The team pulled it together with a strong opening quarter in Edmonton.  Burris, Reynolds, Rambo, Lewis were all very solid.    Defensively, appears the big winner on the weekend was defensive back Greg Fassit.  He worked out with the top unit today and that is a good sign for him!  See what happens against Torontohttp://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10255285mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10255285Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:07:46 GMTThe next casualty of the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup Riots?  How about the 2011 Grey Cup?  Public authorities in Vancouver have demonstrated their ineptitude in handling large crowds.  And, regardless of the opponents, the Grey Cup will feature large crowds.   Between a bewildered police chief, spinless courts and a large element of disruptive hooligans, Vancouver can't handle this game.   Move it now before more damage is done!http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10253058mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10253058Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:02:32 GMTWas startled to learn the National Hockey League consulted with Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke over the suspension.   Is there no one in the NHL office who can make these decisions themselves?  And if you need outside help, what about a retired referee or someone with no stake in the decision?   I realize Colin Campbell was removed from the decision making process to avoid the appearance of conflict.  That means the responsibilities fell to his deputy Mike Murphy.  Or did it?  What a shambles?  And Brendan Shanahan thinks he can fix this?  Good luck. Who is in charge?http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10247475mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10247475Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:29:57 GMTFinally.  Clarity. Action. Something from the NHL office over a brutal on-ice incident.  NHL suspended Vancouver's Aaron Rome for four games.  Either the balance of the playoffs or the suspension will carry into next season.   Is it a coincidence that NHL VP Mike Murphy was handling the discipline, resulting in the stern judgement? I don't think so.  If Colin Campbell were still in charge. nothing would have happened.  Instead we would have heard a bunch of convoluted excuses for why no suspension was levied.    Good work Murphy.  See ya round Campbell.http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10247036mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10247036Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:30:55 GMTAlright.  Here is your Stamps training camp guide.   Two a day workouts begin Sunday.  Team is on the field at 8.45 AM and 4.00 PM.   Those workouts are open to the public.   Enjoy!http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10245981mark.stephen@corusent.com (Mark Stephen)http://www.newstalk770.com/Blogs/MarksMessage/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10245981Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:03:21 GMT