Pats Crush Raiders

Most knew the Regina Pats would be a better hockey club once Jordan Eberle returned to the fold, but HOLY CRAP! Eberle's return sparked the Pats to a 9-3 win in Prince Albert as they fired 50 shots on goal. Ebs had two goals and two assists in his return, while Jordan Weal had three with Brett Leffler getting a goal and three assists. Safe to say this team won't be scoring nine goals each night with Eberle in the lineup, but this has to be very encouraging for Curtis Hunt, Brent Parker and crew. Swift Current and Red Deer are at the Dome this weekend. Yes, the Rider game is Friday night and yes, Saturday is the first Saturday of the NHL season, but I'm still thinking many will be out at the rink this weekend to welcome Jordan back and see the Pats team that this team envisioned when they broke camp. It sounds like it got a little nasty as well with Curtis Hunt firing water bottles onto the ice because he was upset with the guys in the striped shirts. Welcome back Curtis! Welcome back! Did you think those guys had gotten any better when you were gone?
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Roy Halladay had to do it. After seeing Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon hit Adam Lind Tuesday night after he had hit three homers, Halladay sent a message early on in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox. With Boston not playing their "A" lineup because they clinched a playoff spot the night before, Halladay didn't have a lot of guys to choose from, but when he hit David Ortiz with his first pitch of the 2nd inning, he did what he had to. It was an act of retribution. It wasn't an attempt to "earhole" Ortiz, it was just a message saying what was done last night wasn't appreciated and you won't do it again tonight. I hate it in hockey when a guy is forced to fight after a clean check, but I love it in baseball when a pitcher lets the other team know that throwing at a guy isn't accepted nor tolerated and it won't be happening again. By the way, if it was Halladay's last start as a Blue Jay, it was one to remember as he fires a complete game three hitter in a 12-0 romp.
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Jim Balsillie says he is now done with his attempts to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes. This after an Arizona judge rejects his attempt to buy the team for 242.5 million dollars. Does Gary Bettman think he has now won this war? Yes, he has stopped a team from moving from the US into Canada----for now! If you think Bettman has heard the last of Balsillie, you are sadly mistaken. With many other teams having financial difficulties, its just a matter of time before Mr. Balsillie is back to being a thorn in Bettman's side. If Gary truly wanted the best for his sport, he would have allowed the sale of the Coyotes who I'm sure will be roadkill before New Years. I'm guessing most home games will be quite empty this year. Then again, its been that way for a while has it not.
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The NHL season starts tomorrow! Is it just me or was this off-season a little quicker than usual. Yeah, many of us will watch tonight because it is opening night, but really, does anyone care about the NHL season in this province until the Rider season is over. Not many sacrifice hockey for football until December in this province. With the NHL season beginning, are the Leafs mathematically eliminated from playoff contention yet. Don't kid yourselves Leaf fans, your team is not going to the playoffs this year. Don't kid yourselves Oiler fans, your (my) team isn't going to be in the Stanley Cup chase either.
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They are getting ready for Favre vs the Packers act 1. Check out some of the following t-shirts you can get in advance of the game.