CRANBROOK, BC -- We're finally here. This four day road trip hit a welcome spot Thursday night when the Regina Pats arrived at the greatest hotel/resort I've ever had the pleasure of staying at. We're in the Rocky Mountains at the St. Eugene Mission (pictured, http://www.steugene.ca/), a fabulous Hotel/Golf/Casino/Resort.Roomate Dan Plaster and I spent the evening with our feet up, channel surfing and watching the movie Role Models in our hotel room. I'd seen it before, but D.P. hadn't and I was only too happy to watch it again. It was good to put the brain on the desk and laugh for a few hours.
As for the Pats, they continue to try to find a way to snap out of their lengthy rut. GM Brent Parker said on Wednesday's postgame show in Calgary that their season hinges on tonight's showdown with the Kootenay Ice at 8:00pm Regina time (620 CKRM Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 7:35pm).
The club stands five points out of a playoff spot with eight games left. Despite the pressure, the mood seemed light on the busride over here. Defenceman Jesse Dudas had been released by the club earlier in the day, but it didn't seem to cast much of a ripple in the team's attitude. For the first time in ages, the players seemed loose.
I'm guessing that's a good thing. They've been tight as a drum since Christmas and have played like it. We'll see what type of effort they bring forth against the Ice, who are jockeying for playoff positioning themselves.
----
SHA Senior A South semi final at Milestone.
Saturday, 2:3m.
Flyers lead Leader in the Best-of-3, 1-0.
----
Things have gotten so desperate for the Pats that a lady at home has offered to perform some sort of exorcism for the Pats to rid their demons here down the homestretch.
I'm not joking. I don't know the proper term for what she's offering but it's some type of spiritual cleansing ceremony to be held in the Brandt Centre.
And I think it's being considered.
----
The natives are beyond restless. As I write this, the comment-count is at 25 on the post below regarding the Pats' release of Dudas.
Obviously it's been building, and the fit has hit the shan with Pats fans scattering plenty of blame around.
I've got a nauseus feeling in my gut. I can't imagine what the coaches are going through.
But until this team is told they're out of playoff contention, they will continue to forge ahead.
I have my fingers crossed.
---
Women:
PLEASE STOP sending in your photos for Ask The Broadcaster for Prairie Mobile Communications on Pats broadcasts.
It was a JOKE and Dan's getting uncomfortable!
----
Three members of the Toronto Argonauts are going to announce their retirements today. A source tells The Canadian Press that linebacker Michael O'Shea is hanging up his cleats after 16 seasons.
Veteran centre Chad Folk and safety Chris Hardy are also calling it
quits.
----
From the Calgary Sun this morning comes the story Flames' career leading scorer Theoren Fleury won't be in attendance this weekend if Jarome Iginla ties and/or eclipses his 830 all-time points.
"Whatever -- records are made to be broken," Fleury told the Sun's Eric Francis. "How many more games did he play than I did? 129? Eventually if you're a decent player and you're around long enough, 800-some-odd points isn't that much. I went to the game the other night and Iggy got hit twice the whole game. Guys figure skate out there for 60 minutes. I averaged 30 goals a year, but with the intensity and the way I competed, I bet I could average 45 now."
It's not like Fleury is boycotting this weekend's Flames home games. He's in Phoenix participating in Wayne Gretzky's fantasy camp.
----
Saskatchewan’s Stefanie Lawton finished at 7-4 and in third place at the 2009 Scotties in Victoria. The Saskatoon skip will next play in Saturday afternoon’s 3-versus-4 page playoff game against the winner of Friday afternoon’s tie-breaker between Canada’s Jennifer Jones and PEI’s Rebecca Jean McPhee. The big game tonight is the 1-2 page playoff game featuring BC’s Marla Mallett who finished first in the round robin at 8-3 up against Quebec’s Marie France Larouche. The winner goes directly to Sunday’s final while the loser drops to Saturday night’s semifinal.
----
RIDERS RE-SIGN VETERAN
MIKE MCCULLOUGH
Saskatchewan Roughrider head coach Ken Miller announced today they have re-signed non-import linebacker Mike McCullough to a one-year and an option contract. Financial details of the signing were not released.
McCullough is heading into his seventh season with the Green and White. He was originally selected by the team in the third round (23rd overall) in the 2003 CFL Canadian Draft. The St. Francis Xavier product dressed in all 18 regular season games last year. In his time with the Riders, McCullough has tallied 80 defensive tackles, 70 special teams tackles, three quarterback sacks and four tackles for a loss in 104 regular season games.
“Re-signing Mike was very important for our football club,” stated Riders head coach Ken Miller. “On the field, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge as both a linebacker and special teams player. Off the field, Mike is a leader in the locker room. His character and work ethic is a tremendous influence on the younger players.”
----
The CFL has wasted no time in naming the host city for the 2011 Grey Cup. The Vancouver Sun says the Lions and the City of Vancouver will announce on Friday they've been chosen as the host for the 2011 CFL championship game.
----
Email inbox:
"Hi Rod,
I was wondering if you could please let people know that the Swift Current Legionnaires are in a huge battle on Saturday at 2:15 PM (Iplex) against the Notre Dame Hounds? Quite simply put, the team must beat the Hounds to make the playoffs. The Legionnaires - under former WHLer Regan Darby, Marc Habscheid and your good friend Jim Dekowny - have turned the corner and have been excellent lately.
Swift Current Minor Hockey and The Legionnaires have come together to put a promotion in place to get all SCMHA players into the game for free. The goal is to have 1000 fans at the game. This would be a great statement for the SMAAAHL and the region as it prepares to host the Telus AAA Regional Tournament.
Thanks Rod,"
17 comments:
maybe instead of a holiday at a country club in BC they should try and win a freaking hockey game............
It's the best deal we could get in Cranbrook..
RP
So with some news leaked of Evraz closing June 09, whatever will the exhibition place be called!??
Rumor of the day (or of the past five years!) is that the Pats have been sold today!?
Any sniff of that one!??
evraz is called so-operators place or something to that effect 1.3 million deal over 10 years , was announced this morning ......
With giving BC the Cup they know that the people in western Canada are where the real fans of the CFL are, the next 3 years out west maybe 2012 Regina hows that for a Rumor
yes anonymous2 you are correct...
It was announced on Thursday that the Co-operators is the newest partner in the multi-sport and event complex being created at Evraz Place. The company has pledged $1.3 million over the next 10 years and the new name of the complex is the Co-operators Centre.
With all these companies and all this money coming in how about we get a real score clock real sinks in the bathroom's speaking of the bathroom's. How about HOT WATER!
ahhh Ed and your crazy Evraz bathroom stories. Good times. As soon as March 14th comes, you will get your hot water and your new bathroom (hopefully!)
Well I am sick and tired of putting my hands in a birdbath for a sink to watch my hands.And when u step on the peddle for the water half the time it doesn't work.And when it does work guess what no papertowl so here i am walk out drying my hands on my pant leg with five others walking behind me doing the same.I could ask for my like my seats and a cup holder.
Hey Roddy you should see the entertaining thread on the WHL white board where the retards actually think YOU are Some_Arrogant_Jerk. Do you care to point out that you two are not in fact the same person?
MB
No because it's so absolutely absurd that I don't want to give any credence to it.
Anybody with an iota of common sense can tell that's not me. That would eliminate the people on that board though.
RP
They really think that's you!! HAHA What a bunch of morons :D
Rod's not just Some_Arrogant_Jerk. "The Jerk Store called, he's their number one best seller!" HAHA!
Hay, I heard that too that the Pats have been sold... I heard that they have been sold to the Shriners. They plan on suiting Brent, Dale and Perks with bright red shoes and noses, and creating them an act ASAP...
The Shriners have said that they are very impressed with the Circus that has been run this year at Evraz place, and they are looking forward to working with the best clown act that they have ever witnessed.
Mr Parker says he is not sure what he will do, but says since he seems to know so much about Mickey Mouse that he will wait and see what Disney has to offer...
Heard on the radio today that the CFL may be looking at a 5-city rotation for Grey Cups until something is done about the state of facilities in Regina, Winnipeg and Hamilton.
Money talks Ed, Money talks!!
Man Regina has to be the hear say Capital of the world I heard this he heard that she heard this.Until it comes out in form of the lets say a new conference shut up I hear alot of things but say nothing.And yes Sudsy money does talk like I said in my other post the money is there.
Oh well, it's not so bad. Nothing to soil your gym shorts over.
Post a Comment