‘Twas The Night Before Christmas: Paul Friesen’s annual sports homage

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It was the night before Christmas across Argentina
Millions celebrate the FIFA World Cup.
They had crowded the freeways and flooded the ramps
Hoping for a glimpse of their home country’s champions.

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The parade was cancelled, too crowded they would say
Four million strong for the day.
They waved at the sun from the roof of a bus
Helicopters are needed to get the job done.

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The best game of all time, many would say
Messi the Conqueror over France and Mbappe’.
A comeback so strong, the drama so thick
Too bad it had to end in penalties.

In another tight end, the Blue Bomber Nation
Feels pain left by November frustration.
The merch was ready, carefully ordered
Hoping that a Dreipeat would be there soon.

The wins kept piling up throughout the season
A team on a mission, for the right reasons.
Fifteen out of 18, they bagged the two points
Lots of people are drawn to this joint in south Winnipeg.

Top spot in the bag, weeks ahead of us
Healthy and rested, as BC would soon know.
The Lions were dealt with without hiccups
It went to Regina for the 109th Gray Cup.

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For the second year in a row, awards would come easy
Bryant the lineman, Schoen the top rookie.
Zach with another MOP story
And finally O’Shea, more famous as a head coach.

None of that matters, they said bluntly
When Sunday night come, they didn’t hold the cup.
Preferred by most to smother the Argos
Even with Collaros’ disabled ankle.

At QB, he struggled to find his top form
Misses its targets, far from the norm.
But when Grant took a long way for a touchdown
It looked like enough to take the crown.

Nine points ahead, the fourth quarter, no less
This is the time the bombers like best.
But the Argos fought back and it depended
Late field goal attempts and miss that extra point.

When Winnipeg blocked the Argos’ last kick
It meant that a three-pointer would still suffice.
Line it up from pretty far out there
The Bombers undoubtedly had confidence in their kicker.

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But the ball never got that far off the tee
Defeated, to shame.
Instead of another Gray Cup save
They watched as Andrew Harris took the trophy away.

How long will it take for this feeling to go away
The coach forever said the sting will last.
Because up to two titles still have their influence
You will always remember that one got away.

Then out on the ice there was such a clatter
We jumped out of our beds to see what was going on.
In the west classification they flew like lightning
Opened the shutters and threw up the sash.

Surprisingly, her window opened again
The Jets argue – how could this be?
The past year had ended in ruin and disgrace
Most people just expected more of the same.

No free-agent stars signed over the summer
No Barrydiot, a head coaching bum.
Training camp came and the air was clear
They would prove people wrong: “Just look at us this year.”

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With the captain still scoring without his C
Morrissey starring Scheifele.
Connor starts slowly and then catches fire
Dubois takes his game higher and higher.

Take care of each other, don’t point fingers
Old fight about the dressing room, none of it stayed.
Maurice was right, they needed a new voice
You’ve found one in Bowness that everyone pays attention to.

Since the trade deadline is still a few months away
There remains time to estimate the price to be paid.
Because if they continue this upward trend
Chevy should shop till the end.

It won’t be a smooth ride, it’s never that easy
Just look at all the hurt ones.
First Ehlers, then Appleton and the great Logan Stanley
Now Wheeler and Schmidty are in pain and unhappy.

But sickness and pain are temporary
And nothing worth getting should come easy to you.
A message for all who were once counted
There’s no need to cry, no need to sulk.

For believing in yourself and in your daily work
Will help overcome anything that stands in your way.
So on your journey, on your fight
Merry Christmas everyone and good night everyone.

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Twitter: @friesensunmedia

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