Week 5 of the CFL season hits with my win-loss record standing at 10-6 after splitting last week. Here's the matchups.
MONTREAL AT EDMONTON
The best thing for the Eskimos here is that they will be done with Montreal in the regular season when this one is over. This game only magnifies how big last week's comeback win against the Riders was. They had potentially a four game losing streak staring them right in the face if it wasn't for their heroics last weekend. I said after that win that it may have been a season-saving victory. They will be much tougher than they were in Montreal. but even though I expect the Eskimos to give the Alouettes a game, Montreal will win. The schedule maker certainly didn't do the Als any favours as this is already their 3rd trip out West this season. It hasn't bothered them so far though.
B.C. AT HAMILTON
The Ti-Cats pulled off a major upset at B.C. Place earlier this season. Can they complete a season sweep over Buono's boys. The Lions are reeling since being devastated at home by the Stampeders. One has to think Wally will have his guys ready for this game. For Hamilton, this could arguably be one of the bigger games they have had in recent memory. A good showing here and they might bring some fans back to Ivor Wynne. Soiling the linen might have some believing this team isn't as good as some think even though they are an improving lot. This should be a dandy, but in the end, I think the Lions break Hamilton's heart with a late victory.
WINNIPEG AT TORONTO
This has to be better than last week's 19-5 snoozefest, it has to be. Is Michael Bishop going to start for the Bombers??? Bishop or no Bishop, I think Toronto takes this one and takes it handily.
SASKATCHEWAN AT CALGARY
Both teams come in at 2-2, but the Stamps are heading up and the Riders are going down. All signs point to the Riders getting demolished in this one. I heard one guy say he is going to spend all of his Saturday riding the thrill rides at the Exhibition and then go into the Brandt Centre to watch the game before tossing his cookies because the Rider effort will make him sick. That's a little harsh, but yes I admit there is a potential here for this one to be ugly. I think Calgary will win this game, but I also think it won't be as bad as what some think. I also think this one could be a shootout with both teams getting into the 30's.
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An interesting story in Tuesday's Leader-Post. The director of Credit Union Centre says he is not in favour of a new stadium in Regina. What a surprise!!!! Credit Union Centre is the big boy on the block in this province as it gets a majority of the big acts. That majority will be lost if and when a new facility comes here so I would expect Ken Wood to voice his displeasure. The thing that surprises me is the amount of whining coming from Saskatoon about this facility. Some don't think it should be built, some say it should be built there....etc, etc, etc. You know what Saskatoon you have a lot, yes you have some things Regina doesn't have, but you know what, you still come off as being a little jealous. I'm sure Mr. Wood wouldn't react this way if a new stadium was coming to Saskatoon. He would likely say it would enhance his facility and that the two will have to find a way to work together to keep great acts coming through. Its been said Saskatoon and Regina should be treated as one big city. WRONG!! They are distinct with their city as we are with ours. I know of many people here who could care less about the day to day business in Saskatoon and I know some in Saskatoon who say the same thing about Regina. Its what makes the rivalry between the two cities great. Being a Regina boy, I say if and when that facility comes, it will just make those in Saskatoon have to work a little harder to keep those big acts coming. People have been going up Highway 11 for many years to watch big name acts, its time for people to start coming down now, and not just for Rider games.
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Kelly Kapowski( I mean actress Tiffani Amber Thiessen) has finally explained why she doesn't want to do a "Saved By The Bell' reunion. Take a look.....
SIGHHHHH!!!!!
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Any early reviews of the Exhibition????
5 comments:
Mitchell you saw the article with Mr. Wood but did you read it. He agreed the Riders badly need a new facility and that Taylor Field was not suitable for the team. His objection was to the thought process that this facility would be feasible as an event facility beyond being a football stadium. Sadly he is right and everyone on the new stadium band wagon does not want to hear reality which is what he presented. To turn this into a Regina VS Saskatoon thing is even worse, I have lived in both cities and grew up in Regina. I know none of the money guys in Regina like the Hills would ever throw a dime towards this new stadium project as they would wait for the government. Look at all the improvements to Griffiths Stadium all paid for by private money... Sadly Regina waits for the government to pay for it while Saskatoon just goes out and does it, that is the difference...
Au contraire mon frere in the previous post. Mr. Wood--like many in Saskatoon--can't stomach the fact that Regina is now getting a facility that will eclipse CUC. He wants the Brandt Centre to be his only competition for an indoor spot because he knows he wins that competition. That is something that can't be argued.
Saskatoon always whines when Regina gets something and vice-versa. I'm a Reginan who doesn't care about Saskatoon because I don't live there, I don't pay taxes there...etc. etc. etc. My wife's brother lives in Saskatoon and he feels the exact same way about Regina.
The debate about the new facility won't go away even when the structure is built, but when it is Mr. Wood will have to face the fact that CUC will not be the premier site for concerts in this province anymore.
Randy
The issue of the Hills who sit on the Riders' Board, and have been long time season ticket holders is one of the most valid points made. When business people of that ilk will not deposit dollar one into this that should tell you something. Let me be clear. I want a new stadium. I'm like the boy from the Christmas Story that wanted the Red Rider BB Gun. Although it'll shoot my I out I want it. It matters not to me that in 20 years we'll be turning it over to a private holder once we have paid for this giant piece of cement ala the Rogers Centre.
Obama
Riiiiight. Credit Union Centre is just going to lose everything to Regina if there is a new dome. Sure.
The first comment is right - read the article. Wood is not worried about losing many concerts to the improbable dome because most concerts are set up for arenas. If all that mattered was the size of the venue, then we wouldn't see almost all the concerts go to GM Place in Vancouver or Air Canada Centre in Toronto; instead, we would see them go next door to BC Place or Rogers Centre.
Credit Union Centre has a strong history with promoters and has proven it can host major acts from any genre. That's hard to beat. Plus, CUC is in Saskatoon, which is a bigger market than Regina (and is increasing that lead every year, according to Stats Canada population figures). The reality is that the concert situation won't change if a dome is built.
Wood basically echoed the comments made earlier from Evraz Place officials. The only way a dome would not sit empty most of the time is if it pulled events away from Evraz Place. Everyone who is such a proponent of the dome idea should consider that for a minute - do you really want to kill one facility off for another?
Reality will hit once a feasibility study and public opinion polling comes in. The results of the feasibility study will be far from the conclusions of the joke of a report the government released. The Saskatchewan Party will realize they will be on the hook for a vast majority of the likely $400 to $450 million price tag, and an empty building is not the kind of albatross they want to have around their necks.
And just so you know, Saskatoon will be fine, either way.
Ed C
One can only wonder what Saskatoon would be like had the powers that be at the time not get fooled by the snake oil salesman known as Bill Hunter.
He actually had people thinking the NHL would come to Saskatoon so they built an arena---an arena in a very poor location by the way.
Yes, if it wasn't for this place Saskatchewan would be bypassed by many acts, but now they have one and hopefully two --one in each location-that will hopefully thrive. I laugh at how Saskatoon people think the new stadium should be built there, but they thrn throw cold water on the idea when its said it will be built in Regina.
Jody
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