A Legend Hangs Up The Mike

I've been an Oilers fan ever since they entered the world of the National Hockey League. From their statement playoff victory over the Habs, to Wayne's 50 in 39, to winning multiple Cups, to Steve Smith, to losing to Carolina in the Cup final in 7 to the doldrums of today, one man has seen it all. That man said goodbye last night. After 3542 hockey games, Rod Phillips--the long time voice of the Oilers--said goodbye last night as Edmonton lost 2-0 to the LA Kings. With this game being on TSN, I would normally have watched Chris Cuthbert(the best hockey p x p guy out there --sorry James Gallo) do his thing, but not on this night.

Like I was when I lived in Peace River, Alberta, I had to find the radio broadcast so in came the satellite radio for the last broadcast. There is no doubting Phillips is not as sharp anymore as he used to be, but in his heyday, there was no one better. I had a chance to meet him and talk to him for about 10 minutes several years ago and it was a tremendous thrill. I can only imagine the stories he has. I could probably listen to him rattle off story after story after story and just be captivated by it.

We were also fortunate enough to have Rod on a "Drew Remenda Sports Show" back in the day. I think it was just after Chris Pronger and Mike Peca had signed on. I asked him if he could give me one of his great goal calls and he was more than happy to. It was outstanding!

Anyways, I listened to Rod do his last game while watching it on TV and he didn't get a chance to give one of those last great Oiler goal calls seeing they were shutout. It was also a very classy gesture by TSN and by Cuthbert to go to Phillips' last minute. He handled it like a pro.

Thanks for the memories Rod....good and bad!
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I'm not surprised to see Marcus Adams get cut by the Riders. With Ryan Lucas, Rod Wright and free agent acquisition Tearrius George in there, Chunky just didn't fit into the scheme anymore. He had a great career here and I don't think his CFL days are over. GM Brendan Taman said he tried to trade Chunky, but there were no takers. Is that a sign or are teams just waiting for him to be cut loose so they can negotiate a cheaper deal with the 31 year old. I would say the latter. I think you will see Adams coming to Taylor Field in another teams uni this year.
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When the Warriors acquired Thomas Heemskerk at the start of the season, I knew they had themselves a solid goalie that would pay dividends in the playoffs. So far, so good. Heemskerk recorded his 2nd shutout of the playoffs last night as Moose Jaw beat Kootenay to take a 2-1 series advantage with Game 4 tonight at the Crushed Can. While some have scoffed at me, I really believe the Warriors have a team that can go deep in these playoffs and if Heemskerk keeps playing the way he has, I think Moose Jaw can give Saskatoon a battle. I would take Heemskerk over Steven Stamford any day of the week. I really hope that series materializes. I hope that not just for the fact that it would be a great series, but for the fact that if Brandon beats Medicine Hat it would mean an East final between the two meaning the WHL final would have Saskatchewan representation and we need that.
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A few people want me to make a prediction on the SJHL final between the La Ronge Ice Wolves and the Yorkton Terriers. Here it is....you are going to see a good series featuring some great Saskatchewan talent (Travis Eggum, Adam Bartko, Blaine Tendler, Jeremy Boyer) going at it in what should be an intense series with the winner having a solid shot at reaching and winning the RBC Cup in Camrose in May. All the games will be on Access 7 so I hope you can check it out. Game 1 is Friday @ 730.
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With the parity of the NHL, is there an overwhelming Stanley Cup favourite? I think its wide open as to who the final two combatants will be this year.
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Is Corey Perry going to score 50?
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When do we just sit down and marvel at the player Teemu Selanne is. He is the best Scandinavian player I have seen and he is showing no signs of slowing down. Can you imagine if Winnipeg got back into the NHL and the Coyotes could swing a deal with Anaheim to get Teemu back. He would be a god in Winnipeg. He may still be.
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Is there any doubt Tim Thomas will win the Vezina Trophy?
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Rob Vanstone had an absolutely great column in Tuesday's LP about things he misses as he has grown up (OK ---aged). Rob was a fellow south-ender just like me growing up and I could relate to a lot of what he wrote. However, there were a couple of things he forgot and those that lived in south end Regina can relate

1. Checkers
2.  Seasoned fries at Pedeli in the Golden Mile. There has not been french fries in this city that have been better since Pedeli closed their doors way back when.
3. Road hockey games that seemingly never ended
4. Stampede Wrestling every Tuesday night at the Exhibition Auditorium.
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Tiger Woods 12 is everything I thought it would be. With Saturday pins at Augusta, I shot a 75.
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When is Graham DeLaet getting back onto the circuit and is he eligible for the Masters? My good friend Sudzy in Saskatoon should be able to answer that for me. Congrats to Sudzy as he became a daddy again on the weekend as he and his wife welcomed a baby girl into the universe. Rumour has it she does not look like the cable guy.
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Have a good one!