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Moncton is hosting its third Touchdown Atlantic CFL game in four years this weekend but something seems to be different about this one, as it might not sell out. Marcin Gortat Wizards Jersey . Moncton calls itself the "Hub of the Maritimes" and it positions itself as the central meeting place of the Maritimes. Within a few hours from Moncton one can reach Halifax, Fredericton, Saint John and all of PEI. Add an hour or two, and youre into the state of Maine. But something is missing this year. There doesnt seem to be the excitement, the hoopla or the drive to make it happen like the previous two times. The previous times were in 2010, when Moncton sold out close to 21,000 seats and the tickets sold out in 32 hours. Edmonton won the game over Toronto, 24-6. A year later, the first none sellout took place when there were 700 seats still available in a matchup with Hamilton and Calgary. The game saw a lot of points scored in a Tiger-Cats 56-36 win over the Stamps. This week, some 1,400 tickets were available for Touchdown Atlantic III and as of Friday night, some 900-1,000 tickets remained. So why isnt this game selling out? Or if it does sell out, why did it take so long? There are several reasons that come to mind. First of all, its no longer the novelty it was in 2010. Secondly, some that I spoke to said "its too bad that Anthony Calvillo of the Als wont be playing." But the biggest factor for the decrease in interest seems to be the fact that the game doesnt have a home team; a real Atlantic franchise. "I love the CFL and my family and I have taken in the first two games but we want to cheer for or own team," said Dave Astle, a strong CFL football fan. "They (CFL) have talked about expansion down here for years; maybe they should do it and well come back - be it in Moncton or anywhere in Atlantic Canada." Asked whether there will be more Touchdown Atlantic games in the future, CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said its too early to say. "Well analyze it later and depending on a lot of factors, there may be another game," Cohon said. "But folks have to remember that we are taking a team away from a home date, so the revenue generated from such a game (has to) at least match what a home gate will bring in. So, if revenues are there we might consider other games." Theres still talk about CFL expansion to this part of Canada. Moncton has a leg up on anyone else because they have a stadium. The stadium is under five years old but has to be expanded when the CFL plays. Seating in the stadium is 10,000 and expansion seats are almost the same amount. Cohon says it would be at least $100,000 to bring the stadium to CFL regulation size. For the first time ever, an elected public figure has come out in favour of a stadium for Halifax. Newly elected Mayor Mike Savage has come out in support and would like to build a facility that could host CFL games. Mind you, Halifax has been down that route before. Remember the 1981 Atlantic Schooners in the days of the late J.I. Albrecht? So, the third Touchdown Atlantic game will be held and Brian Warschick from the Halifax area will take it in. Hes been to all games. "I love the CFL," said Warschick, who turned 60 this year. "I grew up on Kenny Ploen, the Bombers and the CFL. Ill be wearing my Hamilton sweater at the game as they are my second favourite team," he told TSN.ca. Warshick went to the first two games with friends but this one is extra special. His son goes to St.FX University and Warshick will be going to Antigonish to pick him up but his son will have on a Montreal Als journey. "It will be a great day, regardless of the outcome," Warshick said. If Touchdown Atlantic had more fans like Brian Warshick, a sellout would not be in doubt. For TSN.ca Im Alex J. Walling Alex J can be reached via email: ajw@eastlink.ca Delon Wright Raptors Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Gilbert Arenas Wizards Jersey .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. http:///...Kyrie-Irving-Jersey/ . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position.The Chicago Cubs have been taking a lot of heat lately. First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". But the bigger target was the franchises owners of the past four years, the Ricketts family. Under their stewardship, the Cubs have compiled a record of 273-375 and havent come close to being a contender in any of the four seasons. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein felt compelled over the weekend to defend the Ricketts, saying at the Cubs Fans Convention in effect they were absorbing short term pain for long term gain. Epstein explained that the Ricketts had a long term plan that would ensure success for the organization. Last I looked, the Cubs havent won a World Series since 1908 and havent been in a Fall Classic since 1945. Thats not the point of this story though. I decided to compare the Blue Jays record to that of the Cubs over the last four seasons. The Cubs are 273-375. Thats an average of a little more than 65 victories per season. The Blue Jays are better but not by a significant amount. Their record from 2010 thru 2013 was 313-335. So the Jays averaged a bit more than 75 victories per season. Thats 10 more per season over the four years, but still under .500 and still nowhere near a post-season position. The Blue Jays record of futility in nowhere near that of the Cubs, but just the same, they havent been to the post-season since 1993, a stretch of 21 seasons. Over that span Kansas City is the only other Major League club that hasnt made the playoffs. The Blue Jays record since Rogers acquired the club consists of five winning seasons, eight losing seasons and one .500 campaign. The Cubs may be breaking their fans hearts, but the Blue Jays are hardly inspiring the planning of victory parades either. The Days of Key When the Dodgers signed their ace lefty Clayton Kershaw to that massive seven-year $215 million contract last week, it brought back memories of a veteran left-hander the Blue Jays had to make a decision on back in the off-season of 1992. Jimmy Key wasnt in the same talent class as Kershaw, but he will go down as one of the top pitchers in Blue Jays history. In nine seasons with the organization he went 116-81 with a 3.42 ERA. Key was to become a free agent after the 92 season. He and his agent wanted at least a four-year contract. Blue Jays GM Pat Gillick had a steadfast policy at the time of giving no more than three years to starting pitchers. So sure enough, Key left, signing a four-year deal with the Yankees. He was outstanding in his first two years in New York, and in fact led the American League in the strike-shortened 1994 season with a 17-4 mark and a 3.27 earned run average. In 1995 though, he blew out his arm and missed almost the entire season. Key bounced back strongly in 1996 though, and actually outdueled Hall of Fame-elect Greg Maddux to beat Atlanta in the final game of the World Series. That would be his final game as a Yankee and earned him a second World Series ring. custom nba jerseys. Jimmy Key would sign with Baltimore for 1997, where Gillick was now in charge and would finish out his career with the Orioles. In an ideal world Key would have pitched his entire career in Toronto. I still distinctly remember three landmark starts in his career, that helped define the pitcher and the man he was. On the final day of 1987 season at old Tiger Stadium, the Blue Jays had dropped six straight games and needed a victory on that last Sunday over the Tigers to force a tie-breaker with Detroit. Key engaged in an epic pitchers duel with Detroit southpaw Frank Tanana. Detroit won the game 1-0 on Larry Herndons home run that barely cleared the low fence in left. The Tigers went to the ALCS against Minnesota and the Blue Jays went home. In 1991, the Jays were facing Minnesota in the American League Championship Series. The organization made the decision to go with knuckleballer Tom Candiotti in the opener at the Metrodome against Jack Morris. Many felt Key should have been given that start. Just being around Jimmy as long as I had been, I could see how angry if not crushed he was at the snub. Candiotti was horrid in that game and the Twins got the quick jump in the series. Key finally did start in Game 3 with the series tied at a game apiece. Jimmy pitched six innings of two-run ball, but got saddled with a no-decision. The Twins ultimately won 3-2 in 10 innings on Mike Pagliarulos homer off Mike Timlin. Minnesota would go on to take the series in five games. I said to myself after that series that resigning Key would be next to impossible after he was passed over for that Game 1 start. To his credit, Jimmy put all that behind him and had a strong season in 1992. The game I will never forget was Game 4 of the World Series against Atlanta. Key was at his absolute best and went 7.2 innings against the Braves. When he walked off the mound towards the dugout, he received an incredible ovation and tipped his cap. I just felt at that moment, and Im sure Jimmy did too, that it was his final performance as a Blue Jay. As mentioned earlier, Key signed that four-year deal with the Yankees in the off-season, and the Jays took a fair amount of grief for letting him go. To this day I cant remember any other Blue Jays player who ended his time in Toronto with a moment like that. First Impressions Drake did an incredible impression of Alex Rodriguez on Saturday Night Live. If they ever do a movie about this sordid tale, Drake can play A-Rod and actor/comedian/radio host Jay Thomas can play Anthony Bosch. Thomas played Carlas second husband, the hockey player Eddie Lebec on Cheers. His character died when he was run over by a Zamboni, and Thomas bares an uncanny resemblance to Bosch. First Date The Blue Jays season opener at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays has an unusual starting time. They kick off the season at 4:10 in the afternoon in the opener of a four-game series on March 31. 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