Again, welcome to the weekend. Today we close the book on April, and not a moment too soon. Here are some ramblings from a sports blogger who's had a dizzying week:
- Did April seem like a month of full moons to you? It was head-spinning! People leaving jobs, getting jobs, switching jobs, losing jobs ... it was nuts! I'd like to think it will change in May but I don't think it will. We'll know soon.
- Wawota, Saskatchewan's Brooks Laich of the Washington Capitals is being hailed as a hero in D.C. for changing the flat tire of a stranded motorist who was driving home right AFTER the Caps' Game 7 loss to Montreal Wednesday. Laich changed the tire, then apologized to the Caps fan for losing the game.
- The Regina Pats' brand is apparently still very strong despite the hockey club missing the WHL playoffs the past two springs. Yesterday the team selected Calgary's Morgan Klimchuk in the first round of the bantam draft and the prospect was over the moon with the pick. "It was a dream come true for me," Klimchuk told CKRM Radio. "I was wanting to go to Regina ... they were my first option. I've been waiting day and night all week for this and when I found out they picked me, I was ecstatic. Words can't describe it. I was excited." Klimchuk says Regina is his home away from home with "an uncle and an auntie" here and both sets of grandparents living within an hour or two's drive.
- Pats GM Brent Parker should be on Twitter. Why not? Rider coach Ken Miller is, and apparently he's enjoying delivering his own, unfiltered, thoughts to Rider fans.
- The Everett Silvertips used the 212th pick in yesterday's draft to take goalie Casey Parker of Regina, who played at Notre Dame. He is the son of Brent Parker.
- Hope you enjoyed Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs! It might have been the best ever. Now however, interest starts to wane and it's understandable. Eight teams are left and if your favourite isn't one of them - or your playoff draft is kaput - it's hard to stay interested with the sun shining and the grass green outside.
- Who picked Montreal to beat Washington besides Canadiens fans? All the analysts' garble leading up to the playoffs was just that; garble. It was shown that NOBODY knows what's going to happen in the playoffs and if they did, they'd be a billionaire living in Vegas. It just goes to show the TSN and Sportsnet analysts know no more than you and me about what's going to happen.
- Congratulations to Montreal Canadiens fans for not rioting Wednesday night after they beat Washington. Perhaps they're finally catching on.
- TSN's audience of 2.8-million for Game 7 of the Caps-Habs series was the highest ever audience recorded for an NHL game on TSN and the series was the most-watched ever on the sports network (all rounds).
- Here are the top five most-watched sports programs on Canadian TV this week (not including the Washington-Montreal Game 7):
1. NHL, Penguins at Senators, Saturday, CBC: 2.948-million viewers
2. NHL, Canucks at Kings, Sunday, CBC: 2.826-million viewers
3. NHL, Kings at Canucks, Friday, CBC: 1.953-million viewers
4. NHL, Canadiens at Capitals, Friday, TSN: 1.629-million viewers
5. NHL, Avalanche at Sharks, Saturday, CBC: 1.359-million viewers
- I found it interesting that Jordan Eberle revealed on Wednesday that his favourite NHL player is Joe Sakic. He noticed his name is now on the WHL MVP trophy along with Sakic's.
- The Phoenix Coyotes' victory song in their dressing room is "RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED FROM" by Maxine Nightingale from the SLAPSHOT soundtrack. Too bad they didn't get to play it as often as they would've liked in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. No matter, Dave Tippett will win NHL Coach of the Year anyways.
- I've changed my mind and am all for Eberle's #7 being retired by the Pats. Since he's only the fourth Regina Pat to win league MVP (Sobchuck, Wickenheiser and Harding being the others), he's earned it. Just remember Josh Harding went on to win CHL MVP so there will no be a case for his #37 being retired as well.
- Welcome to Regina all rec hockey players and teams! Regina's Cooperators Centre will host Regina's first ever Molson Canadian Ultimate Rec Hockey Experience today and tomorrow. Barry Thomson and Ron Nugent are the honourary commissioners. It's going to be great.
- This is why I love Don Narcisse. Tomorrow night's Estevan Minor Football fundraising banquet is soldout. The Riders' Mike McCullough and me are the guest speakers. The organizers asked Narco if he could help out in any way with a donation and this is what he wrote them:
"Hey this is Don Narcisse; I would like to donate two tickets for the Hall of Fame Induction August 14, 2010. Whoever wins will get a chance to sit at one of my tables and get to meet my family and friends, take pictures and get autographs. I hope this will help your program. And if there is anything else you need me to do just let me know. If you have a local radio show to kick it off just give them my phone number ... Let's raise some MONEY!"
What a guy. So if you want, throw an absentee bid on that prize into the comments section below and we'll see if we can get it going. Tomorrow night is Estevan is going to be GREAT.
- I predict Kerry Joseph will be playing in the CFL by the August long weekend. SOMEBODY will need him and he'll be healthy and ready to go. If it's not the Riders, it'll be somebody.
- I hear former Blue Bomber coach Mike Kelly is living in Winnipeg and will have an online radio show that may even be carried on local radio. I would listen to that.
- The Blue Bombers apparently quitely released veteran kicker Troy Westwood a few weeks ago, with little fanfare. Today we hear he wants a shot at a training camp somewhere, preferably Winnipeg.
- Experts predict Calgary will draft a kicker with their first pick in Sunday's draft.
- Orlando Magic centre Dwight Howard was fined $35,000 for criticizing NBA officiating on his blog. I love it.
- Check out Regina's new and improved car racing website at http://www.kickinasphalt.ca/.
- I walked into the middle of "a situation" outside Walmart the other day. A guy flanked a girl outside the front doors and slammed her to the ground. It was similar to a calf roper flanking a calf. I thought it was a guy beating up his girlfriend as he yelled "Stop resisting!" I vowed the next time I saw something like this, I would step in. So I did. Turns out he works for the store and was stopping her from shoplifting. His disguise fooled the heck out of me.
- The price of gas is in the Queen City has gone up to $1.07.
- Daytime TV is a wasteland. Take for example "Bulging Brides" starring former BC Lion and Winnipeg Blue Bomber safety Tom Europe. Good grief. You know you're stuck for something to watch when your channel surfing stops there on the treadmill while you're trying not to be bored. Good for Tom though.
- Talk radio host Dr. Laura revealed yesterday that she's 63 years old. She looks good for 63! It's good to know I can do this radio bit for a long time to come. I guess that's one more guilty pleasure for me. CSI, Dr. Phil and now Dr. Laura. Those are three things I enjoy in this world of media.
HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS!
RP
- Did April seem like a month of full moons to you? It was head-spinning! People leaving jobs, getting jobs, switching jobs, losing jobs ... it was nuts! I'd like to think it will change in May but I don't think it will. We'll know soon.
- Wawota, Saskatchewan's Brooks Laich of the Washington Capitals is being hailed as a hero in D.C. for changing the flat tire of a stranded motorist who was driving home right AFTER the Caps' Game 7 loss to Montreal Wednesday. Laich changed the tire, then apologized to the Caps fan for losing the game.
- The Regina Pats' brand is apparently still very strong despite the hockey club missing the WHL playoffs the past two springs. Yesterday the team selected Calgary's Morgan Klimchuk in the first round of the bantam draft and the prospect was over the moon with the pick. "It was a dream come true for me," Klimchuk told CKRM Radio. "I was wanting to go to Regina ... they were my first option. I've been waiting day and night all week for this and when I found out they picked me, I was ecstatic. Words can't describe it. I was excited." Klimchuk says Regina is his home away from home with "an uncle and an auntie" here and both sets of grandparents living within an hour or two's drive.
- Pats GM Brent Parker should be on Twitter. Why not? Rider coach Ken Miller is, and apparently he's enjoying delivering his own, unfiltered, thoughts to Rider fans.
- The Everett Silvertips used the 212th pick in yesterday's draft to take goalie Casey Parker of Regina, who played at Notre Dame. He is the son of Brent Parker.
- Hope you enjoyed Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs! It might have been the best ever. Now however, interest starts to wane and it's understandable. Eight teams are left and if your favourite isn't one of them - or your playoff draft is kaput - it's hard to stay interested with the sun shining and the grass green outside.
- Who picked Montreal to beat Washington besides Canadiens fans? All the analysts' garble leading up to the playoffs was just that; garble. It was shown that NOBODY knows what's going to happen in the playoffs and if they did, they'd be a billionaire living in Vegas. It just goes to show the TSN and Sportsnet analysts know no more than you and me about what's going to happen.
- Congratulations to Montreal Canadiens fans for not rioting Wednesday night after they beat Washington. Perhaps they're finally catching on.
- TSN's audience of 2.8-million for Game 7 of the Caps-Habs series was the highest ever audience recorded for an NHL game on TSN and the series was the most-watched ever on the sports network (all rounds).
- Here are the top five most-watched sports programs on Canadian TV this week (not including the Washington-Montreal Game 7):
1. NHL, Penguins at Senators, Saturday, CBC: 2.948-million viewers
2. NHL, Canucks at Kings, Sunday, CBC: 2.826-million viewers
3. NHL, Kings at Canucks, Friday, CBC: 1.953-million viewers
4. NHL, Canadiens at Capitals, Friday, TSN: 1.629-million viewers
5. NHL, Avalanche at Sharks, Saturday, CBC: 1.359-million viewers
- I found it interesting that Jordan Eberle revealed on Wednesday that his favourite NHL player is Joe Sakic. He noticed his name is now on the WHL MVP trophy along with Sakic's.
- The Phoenix Coyotes' victory song in their dressing room is "RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED FROM" by Maxine Nightingale from the SLAPSHOT soundtrack. Too bad they didn't get to play it as often as they would've liked in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. No matter, Dave Tippett will win NHL Coach of the Year anyways.
- I've changed my mind and am all for Eberle's #7 being retired by the Pats. Since he's only the fourth Regina Pat to win league MVP (Sobchuck, Wickenheiser and Harding being the others), he's earned it. Just remember Josh Harding went on to win CHL MVP so there will no be a case for his #37 being retired as well.
- Welcome to Regina all rec hockey players and teams! Regina's Cooperators Centre will host Regina's first ever Molson Canadian Ultimate Rec Hockey Experience today and tomorrow. Barry Thomson and Ron Nugent are the honourary commissioners. It's going to be great.
- This is why I love Don Narcisse. Tomorrow night's Estevan Minor Football fundraising banquet is soldout. The Riders' Mike McCullough and me are the guest speakers. The organizers asked Narco if he could help out in any way with a donation and this is what he wrote them:
"Hey this is Don Narcisse; I would like to donate two tickets for the Hall of Fame Induction August 14, 2010. Whoever wins will get a chance to sit at one of my tables and get to meet my family and friends, take pictures and get autographs. I hope this will help your program. And if there is anything else you need me to do just let me know. If you have a local radio show to kick it off just give them my phone number ... Let's raise some MONEY!"
What a guy. So if you want, throw an absentee bid on that prize into the comments section below and we'll see if we can get it going. Tomorrow night is Estevan is going to be GREAT.
- I predict Kerry Joseph will be playing in the CFL by the August long weekend. SOMEBODY will need him and he'll be healthy and ready to go. If it's not the Riders, it'll be somebody.
- I hear former Blue Bomber coach Mike Kelly is living in Winnipeg and will have an online radio show that may even be carried on local radio. I would listen to that.
- The Blue Bombers apparently quitely released veteran kicker Troy Westwood a few weeks ago, with little fanfare. Today we hear he wants a shot at a training camp somewhere, preferably Winnipeg.
- Experts predict Calgary will draft a kicker with their first pick in Sunday's draft.
- Orlando Magic centre Dwight Howard was fined $35,000 for criticizing NBA officiating on his blog. I love it.
- Check out Regina's new and improved car racing website at http://www.kickinasphalt.ca/.
- I walked into the middle of "a situation" outside Walmart the other day. A guy flanked a girl outside the front doors and slammed her to the ground. It was similar to a calf roper flanking a calf. I thought it was a guy beating up his girlfriend as he yelled "Stop resisting!" I vowed the next time I saw something like this, I would step in. So I did. Turns out he works for the store and was stopping her from shoplifting. His disguise fooled the heck out of me.
- The price of gas is in the Queen City has gone up to $1.07.
- Daytime TV is a wasteland. Take for example "Bulging Brides" starring former BC Lion and Winnipeg Blue Bomber safety Tom Europe. Good grief. You know you're stuck for something to watch when your channel surfing stops there on the treadmill while you're trying not to be bored. Good for Tom though.
- Talk radio host Dr. Laura revealed yesterday that she's 63 years old. She looks good for 63! It's good to know I can do this radio bit for a long time to come. I guess that's one more guilty pleasure for me. CSI, Dr. Phil and now Dr. Laura. Those are three things I enjoy in this world of media.HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS!
RP
24 comments:
Rod, what team are you on for the Molson Ultimate Rec Tourny? I'm tending the net for the DLC Phantoms. I'll see you and Reid in the lounge.
Anyone else playing?
narco just keeps giving back...amazaing...and NBA officials this post-season DESERVE to be criticized...as a group they've been HORRIBLE!!!
Hail Narco, he's a great guy. Speaking of great guys, I'm surprised you didn't mention what good ol' Saskatchewan boy Brooks Laich did after the Capitals game 7 loss.
Tom
What a classy thing to do on Narco's part. You can tell how much he loves this province and its people. No doubt he misses it here and wants to do anything he can to help out. I hope I get to meet him someday because he is such an awesome guy.
And yeah April was one gongshow of a month but I guarantee that May and June are going to be worse. Ask anyone that farms. I can't wait to the end of June when me and the boys head down to Vegas for a few days.
I can't go to Estevan tomorrow night, but I will bid $100 bucks (this weeks been good gambling! LOL - yaaay montreal!).
As for anyone going to Vegas this year, feel free to contact me if your going for a week. I have 8 bonus weeks for our timeshare that are going to expire this year and all it costs you is the transfer fee ($290) for the week (which includes the "gift certificate charge" they throw at you, losers), and there's 3 or 4 places that are available. We can't use them all, and would glad to save someone else some money!
There will be an impromptu "round table" from the board today at the PB for lunch...swing by.
On top of that, they spelt your name wrong on their website (pederson) so I think that should get free drinks for yourself! LOL
Here's a Rodservation for you....
Why do people insist on ordering all kinds of toasted bagels, breakfast sandwiches, etc. through the drive thru early in the morning? Don't these people realize that everyone behind them just wants to grab a freakin' coffee and get to work!!
If I'm getting any type of food other than a donut/muffin at a Tim's or Robin's in the morning, I will actually walk in and get it as it can take some time to get ready...instead of holding up the 19 other cars behind me.
I think Billy Carrington got it wrong...he should've sang god is great, beer is good, and some people are stupid.
Devo
Good for Casey, Everett is far enough away that the family baggage shouldn't be a major distraction. Hopefully he can have a good off-season training program and go to camp and make the team.
I will bid $250 for the Narco tickets!
It's amazing how refs get protected. As a player you are expected to have a mic shoved in your face the second the game ends and you're expected to deal with this professionally, you are fair game for public criticism, etc.
Yet refs are put in a bubble with a sign that says "off limits."
Hey Caesar I was the one who is the guilty party of spelling Rod's last name incorrectly (we are taking very good care of Rod and his lovely wife Estevan is well known for being a giving community!) We are so excited for Don's donation and can't wait to have our fabulous evening!
Valerie (EMF Board member)
I'm a Leafs fan and I picked the Habs over Washington.
LC
ROTFLMAO at the person who thinks they can sit by Narco for 100 or even 250 bucks. Those Tickets are easily worth 500 bucks a piece, even without the chance of sitting beside Narco.
I'm not throwing in a bid, I just think it's funny at how cheap some people think they'll go.
No harm in tossing it out there! But some guys have emailed me privately with some pretty big bids.
i wish gas was 1.07 in Surrey, i filled up at 1.16 today lol!!
We're still stuck at 98.9 an hour south of Winnipeg, so if you went up, we'll be following soon.
Rod can u please give us an update on the high bid? I'd love to go with my wife to that dinner. Thanx!
Devo
If your one of those idiots sitting a lineup wrapped around the block in the morning waiting for Tims / Robins well good for you. While your sitting in your car I'm laughing at you driving by. You can make coffee at home you know.
Mark
Your infatuation with Dr. Laura scares me!
As a note - Our old buddy Graham Harell is throwing in Cleveland Browns rookie camp.
http://www.nfl.com/photos/09000d5d817e1fdc#id:09000d5d817e2e2e
Don't let Dr Laura fool you, Rod...she has had a lot of WORK done on that face in the last couple of years!!! I admit I like her "no nonsense" advise too!!
Roddy, all is quiet on the Pats front which may be an indication that perhaps there will be no significant changes coming (going with stability over success). Any legs to the rumour that later this month Parker will announce Curtis Hunt will assume both roles of coach and GM?
Excited about the Narco tix myself! Wonder what they'll go for?? Way to go EMF!
I was actually just throwing $100 out there to donate, as I couldn't go. And just kidding about the spelling Val, it's how some people are on here and I was just making fun! Anything to get a friend free drinks!!!
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