A few photos

G and Slave meet "La Merveille", Laval's #1 fan. Apparently he is retiring after the Vanier Cup. Word is that he is moving to Ottawa!

We thought HARD about trying to steal this golf cart and taking it for a tour....but we didn't.

A fine Vanier Cup tradition - gathering around the ol' ironing board for some shooters, beer, snacks, Jos Louis cakes and other assorted treats.

Interviewed by the Journal de Quebec - again

Once again, we made the Journal de Quebec. From their Sunday edition:

Scénario de rêve
Kathryne Lamontagne
27/11/2010 23h11

L’hystérie était la plus totale chez les partisans du Rouge et Or, qui étaient ravis, mais non pas surpris de voir l’équipe de l’Université Laval mettre la main sur sa sixième coupe Vanier.
La victoire des hommes de Glen Constantin sur les Dinos de Calgary par la marque de 29-2, hier après-midi, a fait jubiler les 17 000 spectateurs présents, qui ne se sont pas retenus pour exprimer leur joie.

« On se croyait au Super Bowl, avec la neige, c’était super! Sébastien Lévesque a fait une excellente portée, c’est incroyable! Les autres équipes auront à suivre la parade pour rejoindre le niveau du Rouge et Or. On vient de battre facilement la deuxième meilleure équipe au Canada, ce n’est pas rien », a laissé fièrement tomber Alain Tremblay, un diplômé de l’Université Laval.

Aucun doute
À en croire les partisans rencontrés, il n’y avait nul doute que le Rouge et Or allait repartir avec la convoitée coupe Vanier. Mais rien ne laisser présager une telle rafle au dépit des Dinos.

« Je m’attendais à la victoire, mais pas de manière aussi convaincante. Ça a été une belle game, la défensive a été exceptionnelle », a plaidé Jean-René Baril, rencontré à peine quelques minutes après la fin du match.

Même son de cloche du côté de Francis Denis, qui festoyait haut et fort sur le terrain du PEPS à la suite de la victoire. « On n’est tellement pas surpris de la victoire, ça a été la meilleure équipe de l’année. Au troisième quart, on était convaincus. Mais peut-être pas par un gros score comme ça », analyse-t-il.

Le tailgate de l’année
Fidèles à leur habitude, des milliers de partisans du Rouge et Or ont migré, confiants, vers le stationnement du PEPS de l’Université Laval, tôt hier matin, pour prendre part au tailgate le plus exalté de la saison. Un événement où les partisans des Dinos de Calgary se faisaient plutôt discrets...

Maquillage, costumes, flûtes et trompettes, la fébrilité était bien palpable chez les fans de la célèbre équipe de football, certains s’étant même pointés aux petites heures du matin pour prendre part à l’événement.

12 pères Noël ontariens
Parmi le lot, une douzaine d’Ontariens avaient fait le voyage jusqu’à Québec, vendredi, pour assister à la grande finale... déguisés en pères Noël!

« On a vu les 15 dernières Coupe Vanier. Notre autobus de pères Noël est allé à Saskatoon, Toronto, Hamilton, mais Québec, c’est le plus l’fun. C’était la meilleure Coupe Vanier, c’est sûr. C’était fantastique! », a avancé Adam Brown.

Le maire de Québec tenait lui aussi à être de la partie. Alors que le premier ministre Stephen Harper rencontrait le Bonhomme Carnaval, cette semaine, Régis Labeaume, lui, a profité du tailgate pour fricoter avec Badaboum.

« Je m’attends à un match très serré. J’ai un pari de pris avec le président de l’Office du tourisme de Calgary, il est certain que son équipe va gagner. Il risque d’être déçu », avait lancé le maire, quelques minutes avant le botté d’envoi.

Success!

Wow, that was fun. Some good photos to follow. And some photos that will not be posted!

Congrats to Rookie of the Year, Big D Birrell. Good showing by the first time attendee.

Celebrities sighted include:

Mrs. Nill (Coach Nill of Calgary's wife - at Cosmos)
Russ Jackson Award Winner Thomas Hill (at the tailgate)
The Vanier Cup itself (at Chez Maurice)

O Sleeps Newletter

Let's go Lads!

Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey.... Make sure you leave in time to meet the bus and deal with the weather. We are good to go. For your spouses the hotel info is;

Hôtel Château Laurier Québec
1220 George-V Pl Ouest Québec
(418) 522-8108

Vanier Cup Annual predictions

Here are the annual predictions for Vanier Cup 2010 in Quebec City.

Calgary Dinos (10-2) vs Laval Rouge et Or (12-0)
Kickoff 12 noon Saturday

The V Line

Laval 12 Calgary 8 in the lowest scoring Vanier since the 7-ROUGE debacle at the SkyDump in 2004.

Weather will play a factor, hampering the big Calgary QB Glavic as he won't be able to get the passing game going for the Dinos and the Rouge et Or's big play defense shuts them down. The Laval offence may even come from 4 FGs from their reliable kicker Milo.

Attendance 17,500 (paid) + another 3000 additional tailgaters.

Hijinx: The bus is a great idea, though the driver doesn't think so. At least one Road Tour attendee, perhaps one resembling Captain Morgan Santa, finds an "elf" for the weekend. The Santas storm the field late in the forth and since there are 13 of them, steal a football, run their own play and get called for "Too Many Santas". We find our old ironing board still there waiting for us in the parking lot.

The G spot

Laval 31
Calgary 24

Attendance - 20788

Potential Hijinx - Dirty will be punted from the game by the end of the 3rd Quarter. Overcome with emotion after not seeing her for a year, Robin will make out with Mrs. Weir. Safety Kev is asked to stop playing with his sack around the children.

Don's Dirt

I checked with the judges and if I am not granted admittance to the game, it doesn't count as being punted. It just means more ironing board for me.

Laval will win. Laval 20 Calgary 9

Attendance: Whatever that place holds + a few Santas

Hijinx: Kent is asked to dance at a favourite establishment but it is by a Quebexican dude...not that there is anything wrong with that. The fact that he says yes will raise a few santa brows. Dirty will NOT miss the train nor forget a wallet this year. Kev is asked to put one of his candy canes in a certain orifice (read ASS). Captain Laval will don an extra Santa hat which I will bring. Finally, fun will be had by all.

2 sleeps newsletter

Lads,

Vanier is so close I can smell it..... or maybe that's poutine. Anyway, with Laval in the game it is going to be insane. I have been getting correspondence from our local QC man on the street, Eric Lebrun. He is the super-nice Quebexican who helped us get a cab after the game last year when we had to wait over an hour and half. He says there are going to be 20,000+ at the game on Saturday. He also said they are calling for 20+ cm and it will be a little windy so dress warm for the game. Nothing a little spiced rum won't cure ; )

Game starts at noon so in order to make tailgate the bus will leave the hotel around 8 AM so we can stop for supplies at the grocery store on the way. Hence, the Vanier executive is imposing a strict 3:45 AM curfew for Friday night/Sat AM.

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caqc0441?ref=homemap

Regarding the bus...Any last minute additions? We have 2 spare tickets for the game and likely an extra room we will cancel by 4 pm Thursday if we don't get any takers.

Mandatory items;
Bus snacks (ie. pickled eggs, pepperettes, curds )
Cards
bus booze
Santa Suits
Boots and mitts
Tailgate booze (unless you are getting it from the SAQ Friday night)
Disposable Xmas themed items are welcomed for the tailgate
Tylenol
Tums
Extra liver
7 French words

Next year Vanier is in Vancouver partnered with Grey Cup so it will be a doozey. Prepare your spouses now ; )

Adam wanted to share this...Top 10 Vanier Moments.. He thinks we have been at 7 of them; http://watch.tsn.ca/#clip379624

I propose we make our own top 10 list on the way there from our memories....

G out... for now

PS "long live Menudo"

TSN Top 10 Vanier Cup Moments

TSN has released the top 10 Vanier Cup moments.

2010 Fir Sure List

The Annual Fir Sure list for Vanier Cup:

1. Kenny G
2. J-Rock
3. Adam
4. Skinny McM
5. Dirty Don
6. Safety Kev
7. MMMMMM
8. Big Fun Rick
9. Townie
10. IT Loney
11. Snnoop G (ROOKIE) *** COURT DATE - now out
12. Shawze Shaw
13. Dave the Slave
14. Amooo
15. D Birrell (ROOKIE)

There still is time to sign up....bring a friend.

Road Tour has two spots for 2010

Looks like we have two spots remaining on the Vanier Cup tour bus - includes game tickets. If interested, send us an email if you have our address or leave a comment with how we can get back to you and we'll give you all the details.

With Laval in the game, you don't want to miss what promises to be the BEST VANIER EVER!

Save your air miles for 2011!

NAYLOR: '11 VANIER CUP TO JOIN GREY CUP WEEK IN VANCOUVER
by Dave Naylor, TSN

Next season's Vanier Cup will be played at Vancouver's renovated B.C. Place Stadium before the Grey Cup game is played on the same site.

An announcement is expected Monday about the Canadian university championship game being promoted as part of the overall Grey Cup festival.

Although a firm date for the Vanier Cup has not been established next year, it is likely to be played on the Friday night and not the Saturday.

The arrangement was put together by MRX, the sports marketing company operated by Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner Bob Young. MRX bought the rights to the Vanier Cup outright, along with the media rights to the game and CIS football.

The Vanier Cup was last staged as part of the Grey Cup festival in 2007 when both events were held at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

This season's Vanier Cup is being played Saturday in Quebec City, featuring Laval and Calgary. The Grey Cup game will be played the next day in Edmonton.

Laval vs Calgary in the Vanier Cup

It's gonna be a beauty - Laval will be in the Vanier in their home stadium, facing the Dinos from Calgary.

Kenny G's pro tips for Vanier Cup

Remember these pro tips below (see attached illustrations from last year)
The weather could be chilly so don't forget proper clothing

Be prepared and bring refreshments

Seats are optional
Make Friends with the locals

7 sleeps newsletter

Greetings,
Well Boys, the time is drawing nearer... Time to start storing sleep and resting the livers! Quebec City is going to be a blast...again.....Especially if Laval gets in. I hope Western (SUCKS!) gets crushed. Don't forget to check out the semi-finals tomorrow;

Uteck Bowl

Western Mustangs vs Laval Rouge et Or

at Laval

12pm

Mitchell Bowl

St Mary's Huskies vs Calgary Dinos

at Calgary

3:30pm

We have had a couple people have to bail due to unforeseen work and personal matters so we are a little lighter for passengers for the bus. If at all possible, we need to get a couple more people for the bus to help with cost. Can you please run it by some good candidates ASAP. There will be a gang from Toronto meeting us there so we are still almost 20 strong at the game. We could use another couple rookie of the year candidates.

In other news, Adam has done some research on the hotel and the word is good. How can you go wrong when they have this in-house?

Bowl game predictions

Uteck Bowl
Western Mustangs vs Laval Rouge et Or
There is no way that Laval misses being the home team for Vanier Cup at Stade Peps. The Rouge et Or are 11-0 on the season (despite winning the Q in a close one over Sherbrooke) and have 42-game home winning streak, dating to September 2004 and it won't end this weekend. Western had a great comeback win over Ottawa, but it's good by 'Stangs this weekend. Laval wins 36-10. Bonus: If it's the same ref as last week, the dude will have more than a passing resemblance to Rene Levesque.

Mitchell Bowl
St Mary's Huskies vs Calgary Dinos
15 below and 6 six inches of snow are predicted. That makes for some old time football, prairie style. The Huskies are tops in the Atlantic, having won their last six games in a row. But in their only cross over game, they got pummelled by Laval 45-7. The Dinos are 8-2 on the year and are coming off a 56-3 beat down of Alberta. The Dinos will win this one in a walk, 28-7.

That's the V line.

**************************************************

Uteck Bowl
Western Mustangs vs Laval Rouge et Or
Laval will dominate from the taste of missing Vanier at home last year fresh in their bouches. Defense will win the game for Laval in a stomping of the Western (sucks) Mustangs. Laval 35-17

Mitchell Bowl
St Mary's Huskies vs Calgary Dinos
Dinos have home field advantage as well as the familiarity with crappy weather. St.. Mary's has a QB from Florida. Dinos also have Blake Nills who knows St. Mary's well after coaching there for 8 years. Dino stomp 45-24

This has been the G-Spot.

*********************************************

Uteck Bowl
Western Mustangs vs Laval Rouge et Or
Western Sucks!!! Western Sucks!!! Not much more to be said. The OUA is all about passing although Western does have a good ground game. Laval is also strong through the air but will not let another chance go without hosting the Cup and being in it. They are just too strong!!! Laval 32 Western 9.

Mitchell Bowl
St Mary's Huskies vs Calgary Dinos
The West is all about running the ball (yay), the East is more balanced and the weather is going to dictate a ground attack. The team which can grind it out on the ground is going to win. That would be Calgary. The score is going to be low so I am picking Calgary 17 St. Mary's 7.

Brought to you by Don's Dirt

2009 Video - Show Class! Stay off the field of play!

2009 Video - F***in Great Game!

9 sleeps newletter - Santas Unite!

Hi All,
The time is drawing nearer to the Vanier Road Trip. Hopefully you have your stuff together, most importantly your Santa Gear. For those who need a Santa Suit or need to replace their stained/torn one from last year, Canadian Tire seems to be the place;
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/ChristmasToys/IndoorDecorChristmas/ChristmasApparelChristmas/PRD~0519187P/Nylon%252BSanta%252BClaus%252BSuit.jsp?locale=en

Kevin, will you be bringing your magic satchel full of candy canes again this year? It was a hit with both Moms and Kids last year... I am not sure the rum and coke in your beard was though ; )

Speaking of Tailgating... since we have our own (non-taxi) transportation to the game, it will be easier to bring stuff and be better prepared than last year for the tailgate. Does anyone have a little folding table they could bring or should we just go the classy ironing board bar like last year? If anyone has a Charlie Brown tree that may not make it home, that would be a nice touch. I will buy a couple portable BBQ's like last year for hot dogs etc. and we can stop at the grocery store on the way and buy the grub for tailgating.

If I recall, some of the ingredients for candy cane shooters were not available in QC so I purchased them in Ontario and brought them. You may want to do the same. The shooters were extremely popular so I would suggest that every 2-3 guys ensure they bring shooter ingredients or other "sharing type" booze in the spirit of tailgating. I have some recipe suggestions at the bottom of this email.

As you know, we have a 26-passenger bus... The more the merrier (no pun intended) we still have lots of room so if you know of anyone who wants to come, pls get them signed up ASAP. Another couple guys would help bring down the cost of the bus. We can likely get a couple more tickets but would need to do it before this weekend. If Laval wins and it is likely, tickets will be impossible to get.

As for departure next Friday... Please be at the Stittsville park and ride (east side of Carp road at Queensway) ready to depart at 9:15

Yours in debauchery,
G

1- "Candy Cane" shooter http://www.barnonedrinks.com/drinks/c/candy-cane-1-1100.html 1/3 oz. Creme de Menthe - (more)1/3 oz. Grenadine - (more)1/3 oz. Peppermint Schnapps - (more layer in shooter glass or cocktail glass w ice

2. Candy Cane Shooter
1/2 oz Grenadine 1/2 oz Crème De Menthe 1/2 oz Peppermint Schnapps Layer in that order in a Cordial or Shooter glass.
Note: Depending on the brand, some Crème De Menthe liqueurs come in clear or green colours as does the Peppermint Schnapps. Try and buy your liqueurs so that you have one ingredient as clear and one as green, so that you can get the full 'candy cane' stripe effect.

3. Devil's Candy-Cane recipe http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink7677.html 1/2 oz Rumple Minze peppermint liqueur1/2 oz Bacardi 151 rum1 splash grenadine syrup Mix ingredients together in a shot glass, carefully ignite and allow to burn, then extinguish and shoot. 4. Mrs. Santa Claus recipe 1/2 oz chilled Firewater® cinnamon schnapps1/2 oz chilled Tequila Rose® strawberry cream liqueur Pour the Firewater into a shot glass. Top with the Tequila Rose liqueur, and serve. 5. Flaming Christmas Bastard (Shooter) 1 oz Dekuyper Hot Damn 100 Proof Cinnamon Schnapps, 1 oz Green Crème de Menthe, Peppermint Schnapps Layer the crème de menthe and the Hot Damn, top with the Peppermint Schnapps and light on fire. Blow out the flame, rub an ice cube over the rim of the glass and drink!!! ALWAYS USE CAUTION WITH FIRE.