Now The Games Have Started

For many, the Vancouver Olympics started yesterday as the much-anticipated mens hockey tournament began. I have to wonder what Canadians across the country were thinking after 20 minutes of their opener against Norway as it was scoreless. I wonder what it would have been like had the Norwegians got the first goal of the game. It didn't matter because Canada woke up in the 2nd period and ended up blasting their opponents 8-zip to get things going. Jarome Iginla and Dany Heatley each had a pair as Canada overpowered the Norwegians. The Swiss team is next--that is on Thursday and they will provide a much stiffer opposition for the host nation.
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More gold for Canada on Tuesday on Cypress Mountain. Maelle Ricker taking gold in snowboard cross. That makes four medals on Cypress for Canadian freestyle skiers as Ricker and Alex Bilodeau have taken gold with Jenn Heil and Mike Robertson grabbing silver. By the way, is it just me or could Robertson win a Hugh Grant look-alike contest? While freestyle skiing is winning the majority of our medals, will anyone follow these athletes once the games are done. These four could go on to win a majority of World Cup races, but will anyone pay attention. They are certainly front and center on the minds of Canadians now, but they will just blend back into the background in a couple of weeks. Yeah, that's the way it is for many sports and in a way that's too bad because their 15 minutes of fame will truly come to an end once the Olympics are over.
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I've never been the biggest Kevin Martin fan, but I respect the Fountain Tire spokesperson look-alike because the man can curl. There is no shot he is afraid of playing. Proof positive of that was last night against Germany. He could have taken a draw for one, but he saw the chance for a long run-back that could end up giving him three. That's exactly what he did and he threw a dandy as he executed the shot for the three and control of the game. He is 2-0 while Cheryl Bernard is 1-0 as Canada starts curling on the right note.
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Have you seen anyone around Regina with those Olympic red mittens? I haven't. I know everytime I went to Zellers they were out of stock so someone must have them.
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My thoughts and prayers are with Cal Murphy today. Cal is recovering in a Regina hospital after getting sick on the weekend. He has been taken off of life support and his condition is said to be improving after whatever felled him. The 78 year old Murphy is well known in CFL circles and he is one of the good ones. Get better Cal! It won't be the same if you're not at Rider games next year. Besides I haven't been able to give you a good natured jab for stealing John Chick.
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The Raiders lost which was good news for Regina. The Warriors lost which was good news for Regina, but the Broncos won and that was not good for the Pats. It means Regina is once again seven points back of that final playoff spot in the East. Its beginning to look more and more ominous for the Pats isn't it.
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I'm surprised Steven Jyles isn't a member of the Bombers. I'm also surprised if the reports are true that the Riders are offering their number 2 quarterback 100-grand. Jyles says he is torn between Winnipeg and Saskatchewan. He knows he will be the backup here and he must know he would go into Bomber camp number one on the depth chart. The decision to me is a clear one. Did Winnipeg get rid of Michael Bishop? Does Paul LaPolice think he can do what Ken Miller and Mike Kelly could not and that is get some decent production out of this guy. I would rather go with Jyles than Bishop if I was LaPo.
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Marc Parenteau and Chris Szarka both re-sign which is no surprise. Some I know thought Szarka might retire and concentrate on his City Hall duties. I think he's got another good year or two in front of him before he can concentrate on taking the mayor's chair from Pat Fiacco. Whoops...maybe that was a little premature! After all, Pat probably won't run again meaning Chris can just have the job. Yes, I am being a little sarcastic. Word is the Riders are trying to get Dominique Dorsey to sign with the team. I'm guessing that would mean the end of Jason Armstead's days. Hamilton and BC are also said to be in the mix. Dorsey would certainly maintain the team's return game. Sportsnet is reporting the team is putting forth a contract with a significant signing bonus attached to it.
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Wes Cates and Marcus Adams have not signed new deals and have not signed with anyone else. Is that a sign that no one wants these two players or are other teams bidding for their services. I guess we'll find out soon.
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As mentioned in a previous post, I was unavailable for most of Tuesday. Its because I was in Moose Jaw helping out the Sasktel Max gang with the Saskatchewan Winter Games. I spent my afternoon at Vanier Collegiate doing judo. Judo? Yes Judo! I had to pour over the Internet to learn some things about the sport but thanks to the coach of Saskatchewan's judo team, everything went fine and I probably only made a fool of myself three or four times instead of the ten or twenty that I thought I would. It was an entertaining afternoon watching the kids throw each other around. Its a relatively cheap sport to get into and with MMA being all the rage these days, kids are starting to get interested in it. I don't think judo will overtake hockey, soccer or baseball anytime soon but it could be a sport that moms and dads might want to get their kid to take part in.
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I had never seen American figure skater Johnny Weir. I had heard about him, but I had never seen him until last night. All I can say is the guy makes Richard Simmons look like a green beret. YEESH!
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As you go into Wednesday, ask yourself this....

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up every two or three hours?