{alltv} Battle of the Blades Week 7: He slips ... he falls!

Well, my nerves are shot.

Between the stumbles, the slip-ups and the close calls on Sunday's shaky episode of Battle of the Blades, my heart must have skipped at least several dozen beats.

Whether they were all going out of their way to impress guest judge Don Cherry (whose critiques, I might add, weren't nearly as colourful as his suit), or they were just turning it up a notch because it's so late in the game, all four remaining hockey players in the CBC figure skating competition took plenty of risks this week. And some of them even paid off.

Here's how it played out:

Isabelle Brasseur & Todd Warriner

While entertainingly energetic and nearly flawless, Todd and Izzy's routine had me cringing like a Saw flick — and at no point more than when he held her upside down by the ankles and spun. Mr. Muscles looked perfectly relaxed, but man, was I praying for her internal organs. She remained unscathed. Clearly, the judges were equally relieved ...

Score: 17.7

Shae-Lynn Bourne & Patrice Brisebois

He attempted (and achieved) a move called a stag jump. She had the cutest little roller-disco outfit. And yet, there was something missing from Patrice and Shae-Lynn's routine. I can even live with his wobbly solo (a requirement for each of the guys this week). My fear is they peaked too early — as in two weeks ago, with that zombie routine that won them their spot back in the game. Even so, they're still in it — for another day, at least.

Score: 17.1

Kyoko Ina & Kelly Chase

Ticked at some guy on the sidelines at practice who told him he was slow, underdog Kelly Chase made it his mission to skate fast and furious this week. And that he did. What he lacked in grace and technique, Kelly made up for in speed and aggression — which seemed to work in his favour.

Score: 17.3

Ekaterina Gordeeva & Valerie Bure

Considering he's pulled off near-perfect routine after near-perfect routine since Week 1, I thought Valerie Bure would be the last puckster to frazzle my nerves one week before the finale. But no — Val completely lost his footing in his and Katia's routine to Queen's My Best Friend. He fell on one knee and recovered — but not completely, or enough to avoid falling below the 17-point mark.

Score: 16.9