WOMBAT-Empfang » Lotz turned away 32 shots as Everett downe

TORONTO - He still has time to get a deal done, but Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Barker wont be surprised if quarterback Zach Collaros tests the CFL free-agent waters. Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. The second-year player was especially sharp in a 38-21 win over B.C. on July 30, finishing 21-of-25 passing for 253 yards and three TDs. On Sept. 21, he completed 25-of-36 attempts for 330 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-27 victory over Calgary. An impressive body of work — 190-of-287 passing (66.2 per cent) for 2,316 yards with 14 TDs and six interceptions while running 59 times for 246 yards and five touchdowns — will no doubt attract attention when the six-foot-two, 216-pound Collaros becomes a free agent Feb. 15. Barker said its likely Collaros will want to gauge interest before deciding on his football future. "Wed like to have him back and were still working on it," Barker said Thursday. "But well have to see what happens." One team in need of a starting quarterback is Winnipeg, which had three different starters en route to posting a league-worst 3-15 record. This off-season, the Blue Bombers also hired former Argos special-teams co-ordinator Mike OShea as their new head coach. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats could be a darkhorse with veteran starter Henry Burris also slated to become a free agent. If Burris, 38, doesnt return, that would leave the defending East Division champion with youngsters Dan LeFevour and Jeremiah Massoli along with former NFLers Brian Brohm and Stephen McGee under contract. The expansion Ottawa Redblacks, who begin play this season, will undoubtedly look at Collaros if hes a free agent but theyll do that with most all players who become available Feb. 15. The franchise selected Calgarys Kevin Glenn and B.C.s Thomas DeMarco in last months CFL expansion draft and also has Matt Faulkner, who played collegiately at San Jose State, on the roster. On Tuesday, veteran Anthony Calvillo retired following 20 seasons in the CFL, but the Montreal Alouettes positioned themselves well for the announcement. In late December, they re-signed former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and youngster Tanner Marsh to extensions, although three-year veteran Josh Neiswanders contract expires Feb. 15. All three played last season as Calvillo, 41, spent most of 2013 on the sidelines with a concussion. Ideally, Barker would like Collaros to remain in Toronto in head coach Scott Milanovichs offence and continue being tutored by Ray, one of the CFLs best and most accurate quarterbacks. But other teams can entice Collaros with the chance to start — and earn a starters paycheque — which Barker cant with Ray under contract with the Argos through the 2015 campaign. Toronto carried five quarterbacks last season — Ray, Collaros, sophomore Trevor Harris and newcomers Josh Portis and Mitchell Gale. All but Portis saw playing time in 2013, something Barker said would bode well for the Argos if Collaros left. "If we lose Zach, were more than happy to have Trevor and the two other guys to compete with him to be No. 2," Barker said. "Trevor has shown he can play in our league while the other two are more than capable." Collaros isnt the only prominent CFL player poised to become a free agent next month. Among those with expiring contracts whove yet to re-sign with their present clubs include: Montreal offensive lineman Josh Bourke and linebackers Shea Emry and Kyries Hebert; Hamilton linebackers Jamall Johnson and Simoni Lawrence; Winnipeg cornerback Jovon Johnson and linebacker Henoc Muamba; Saskatchewan slotback Weston Dressler, running back Kory Sheets, defensive back Craig Butler and kicker Chris Milo; Calgary defensive lineman Cordarro Law and offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas; Edmonton linebacker Domaso Munoz; and B.C. receiver Nick Moore and defensive lineman Keron Williams. Collaros is one of 10 potential Toronto free agents, a list that includes kicker Swayze Waters, linebacker Robert McCune and cornerback Pat Watkins. Barker isnt sure if hell be able to re-sign any of those players before Feb. 15. "Were trying," he said. "But they all want to go look at it and you have to let them." 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Harris has played in six games since joining the Argos in 2012, completing 17-of-35 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown.PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. -- Leon Draisaitl had two goals and two assists as the Prince Albert Raiders downed the Calgary Hitmen 5-2 on Friday in Western Hockey League action. Collin Valcourt, Josh Morrissey and Mackenzie Stewart also scored for the Raiders (32-30-5), who moved within two points of Brandon for the eighth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, and Sawyer Lange chipped in with two assists. Jake Virtanen scored both goals for the Hitmen (44-17-7), who have dropped back-to-back games. Nick McBride made 32 saves for Prince Albert while Calgarys Chris Driedger stopped 23-of-27 shots in defeat. --- WARRIORS 6 BLADES 1 SASKATOON -- Dallas Valentine had a pair of goals as Moose Jaw handed the Blades their seventh straight defeat. Scott Cooke, Brayden Point, Tanner Eberle and Bryson Gore also scored for the Warriors (19-40-6) while Gore tacked on two assists for a three-point night. Moose Jaws Zach Sawchenko made 25 saves for the win. Ryan Graham scored the lone goal for Saskatoon (16-46-5). Troy Trombley allowed four goals on 22 shots before giving way to Brandon Kegler, who stopped 11-of-13 shots in one period of relief. --- OIL KINGS 6 WHEAT KINGS 3 BRANDON -- Curtis Lazar and Mads Eller each scored twice and Tristan Jarry made 26 saves as Edmonton doubled up the Wheat Kings. Brandon Ralph and Reid Petryk also scored for the Oil Kings (47-17-3) and Brett Pollock had two assists. Brandon (31-28-9) got goals from Ryley Lindgren, John Quenneville and Rihards Bukarts. Curtis Honey gave up three goals on eight shots for the Wheat Kings and was pulled after seven minutes of play. Jordan Papirny stopped 28-of-31 shots in relief. --- ICE 5 TIGERS 2 CRANBROOK, B.C. -- Jaedon Descheneau had two goals and an assist as Kootenay beat Medicine Hat for its first win in three games. Zach Franko, Tyler King and Jagger Dirk also scored for the Ice (38-25-4). Tommy Vanelli and Curtis Valk supplied the scoring for the Tigers (41-23-4). Mackenzie Skapski made 30 saves for Kootenay. Marek Langhamer allowed five goals on 27 shots in 41 minutes of action before Nick Schneider took over for the rest of the game. Schneider made three saves in relief. --- PATS 5 HURRICANES 2 LETHBRIDGE, Alta. -- Dawson MacAuley made 30 saves and Dyson Stevenson had a goal and two assists as Regina toppled the Hurricanes. Colby Williams, Logan McVeigh, Boston Leier and Braden Christoffer also scored for the Pats (38-24-6). Josh Derko scored both goals for Lethbridge (12-51-5), which has dropped 10 games in a row. Teagan Sacher turned aside 39-of-44 shoots for the Hurricanes.dddddddddddd --- REBELS 4 BRONCOS 1 RED DEER, Alta. -- Wyatt Johnson and Aspen Sterzer each had a goal and an assist as the Rebels beat Swift Current. Conner Bleackely and Adam Musil also scored for Red Deer (33-30-5) and Patrik Bartosak made 33 saves for the win. Graham Black scored for the Broncos (34-25-9), who lost in regulation for the first time in seven outings. Eetu Laurikainen stopped 20-of-24 shots for Swift Current. --- WINTERHAWKS 7 THUNDERBIRDS 3 PORTLAND, Ore. -- Brendan Leipsic had two goals and two assists as the Winterhawks toppled Seattle. Matthew Dumba also scored twice for Portland (49-13-5), Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and two assists and Chase De Leo and Anton Cederholm added the others. Ryan Gropp, Shea Theodore and Russell Maxwell had a goal apiece for the Thunderbirds (39-21-6) and Mathew Barzal had two assists. Adin Hill made 11 saves for the victory after replacing starter Corbin Boes, who gave up three goals on 16 shots in 27 minutes for the Winterhawks. Seattles Taran Kozun stopped 33-of-40 shots in defeat. --- CHIEFS 4 COUGARS 2 PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. -- Mike Aviani scored twice as Spokane came from behind to defeat the Cougars. Keanu Yamamoto and Adam Helewka also scored for the Chiefs (37-24-6), who trailed 2-0 after 40 minutes of play, while Reid Gow tacked on three assists. Todd Fiddler extended his point streak to 19 games with a goal and Troy Bourke also scored for Prince George (26-35-8), which dropped its fourth game in a row. Garret Hughson made 34 saves for Spokane as Ty Edmonds turned away 25-of-29 shots in defeat. --- SILVERTIPS 4 AMERICANS 2 KENNEWICK, Wash. -- Austin Lotz turned away 32 shots as Everett downed Tri-City for its seventh win in its last eight games. Ivan Nikolishin, Logan Aasman, Matt Fonteyne and Brayden Low scored for the Silvertips (35-23-9). Lucas Nickles and Justin Gutierrez responded for the Americans (28-31-8), who hold down the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Tri-Citys Eric Comrie made 34 saves in a losing cause. --- ROYALS 5 BLAZERS 1 VICTORIA -- Ben Walker set up four of his clubs goals as the Royals downed Kamloops for their fourth win in a row. Travis Brown, Jack Walker, Brandon Magee, Axel Blomqvist and Brett Cote scored for Victoria (46-17-4) and Patrik Polivka made 17 saves for the win. The Blazers (13-50-5) got their lone goal from Ryan Rehill. Bolton Pouliot turned away 35-of-40 shots for Kamloops, which is just the second team to hit the 50-loss mark this season along with Lethbridge. ' ' '