Pats Get Smoked-Series Tied

The Regina Pats had a chance to really drive a spike into the playoff hopes of the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday. After winning the opener in a game that maybe they didn't deserve to win when you looked at the shots on goal clock, the Pats had the Warriors on the ropes. Moose Jaw just wasn't finding a way to beat this team and it was getting in their heads. Another solid outing at Mosaic Place and you are up 2-0 in the series. Instead, the team basically mailed in Game 2 as they looked uninspired right from the opening puck drop and were embarassed by a score of 8-1.

Former Rider Matt Dominguez might have summed it up best when he tweeted late in the game that he went to the Warriors game and saw nine goals. He would have said the Pats-Warriors game, but Moose Jaw was the only team to show up. You can't argue with him.

Moose Jaw had the intensity level on overdrive for this one right from the opening faceoff and the Pats just couldn't match it. They also couldn't for the second straight game generate much offence registering only 13 shots on goal. At one point, the shots were 29-4. Some guys in blue looked disinterested and I'm sure Pat Conacher noticed it.

I also wonder if the Pats noticed that late in the 3rd period the Warriors played the "goodbye song" over the PA system. I don't know about you, but I found that to be a little presumptious since this series is still tied at 1. Yes, that's a pretty weak motivator for Conacher to use, but it was something that I thought was a little off base.

It sets up what will be a good game 3 on Tuesday at the Brandt Centre as the locale changes.
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Who in Moose Jaw opposed the building of a new multiplex facility and what are those people saying now? Mosaic Place is simply an outstanding building from top to bottom and Moose Jaw should consider themselves fortunate to have such a first rate building in their great city. There's a big time feel when you walk around the place. The only thing that I don't like is they didn't bring the old grill with them from the Civic Center because that rink had the best burgers in the WHL and you didn't have to wait long to get one. That isn't the case at Mosaic. An entire intermission and then some for one burger. YIKES!
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Mosaic Place also doesn't have the same atmosphere as the old Civic Center did, but there was no way you could replicate that. We all know how intimidating the old building could be. However, Warrior fans do "bring the noise" in the new place as fanatically as they did in the old place. They get it going early as their mascot--James Gallo---uh I mean Mortimer Moose (forgive me as the two look similar) starts banging his drum and getting the people going before the Warriors make their entrance. Regina needs something like that to get the crowd going and to get the crowd pumped up. We all know Regina hockey fans don't like to make a lot of noise for whatever reason. Regina needs more than the golden tones of Darren Szabo telling you to get loud and get proud. Regina needs some noise and they need it right from the beginning of Game 3. You cheer your butt off at Rider games so try it at a Pats game and lets see what happens.
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Just some other thoughts...

--The Brad Wall government is taking some heat for basically killing off the provincial film industry. That's a battle that isn't over yet, but I would like to applaud the Saskatchewan Party for having a plan in place to create some passing lanes on Highway 10 between Balgonie and Fort Qu'Appelle. This is long overdue. I say go all the way to Yorkton on this one. In fact, lets go one step better and twin Highway 10 and while you are at it, twin the highway between Regina and the US border at North Portal too. With all the trucks on that stretch of road, its something that should have been done years ago in my mind.

--Heather Nedohin won't win gold at the World Womens Curling Championship in Lethbridge and I'm not surprised. The rink basically collapsed down the homestretch. I've known Heather from my days working in the Peace Country and she is a tremendous individual, but I wasn't convinced she was the best rink at the Scotties in Red Deer even though she got the hardware. Korea's rink said she wanted another shot at the Nedohin rink because she thought her group was better and she backed up her words. The two rinks meet in a bronze medal match today. I don't care who wins that game and I wish curling would get rid of it.

--How much do TSN's curling numbers go down when Canada isn't involved. I guess we'll find out when the ratings come out.

--I am not a fan of TSN's Nabil Karim. I'm not the only one. You have a guy like Lee Jones who does fantastic work for the network when called upon and you go and hire this dull as dishwater guy. OK!

--A story earlier this week suggested Patrick Roy was ready to become the Habs GM once this season is over and that former Colorado bench boss Bob Hartley would be the new coach. There are now some rumblings that Roy is waiting for the Coyotes to be transferred to Quebec so he can take the position with the Nordiques or whatever they will be called. Oh, how Montreal fans would love that with the word love being used facetiously.

--I continue to shake my head at those who don't like the Odell Willis trade saying the Riders gave up too much. Willis is a guy the Riders have needed since John Chick and Stevie Baggs left. Players like him don't come around every day and you need to give up a lot to get him. The fact Willis is going into his option year is admittedly a little scary, but if the Riders can keep Odell happy and keep him around for a while, I think this deal is huge for the /=S=/. Lets let the season play out before making judgment on this deal. There is also talk that the Riders have let a good receiver get away by not having the #8 pick. Did I hear Brendan Taman or anyone in the organization say they were going with a WR with the 8th pick? This team has solid Canadian depth right now and at receiver they have Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg, Jordan Sisco and Scott McHenry. They are fine.

--I couldn't be happier to see Luca Congi get a 2nd chance with the Tiger-Cats. We all know here what type of individual Luca is and it was tough to see him go especially considering his last appearance in a Rider uniform was getting carried off the field. You know the guy loved being a Rider when he broke down while being interviewed on "The Sportscage". He is pure class all the way and I wish him nothing but luck with the exception of two games. Who's kidding who, if he kicks four field goals in those games against the Riders and Saskatchewan still wins, I am happy.

--With Wes Cates gone, I was asked the other day if we could see Neal Hughes get more touches of the football this season. I don't know what head coach Corey Chamblin and his offensive staff have planned for number 32 this year, but I would be all for it. We know what Hughes could do when he carried the rock for the Rams. Yes, I am a big fan of his. I've always wondered why I don't see more fans with Hughes jerseys in the stands considering he is a Regina boy. Hopefully, the reason is I'm not looking hard enough.

--Its no secret that I'm not a fan of Tom Renney and that I hope the Oilers remove him from the position. I had someone ask me the other day who I would recommend to take over for Renney. With all apologies to Brent Parker and the Pats, my answer was Pat Conacher.

--If you are reading this before Sunday afternoon and you are in Regina, head down to the Conexus Arts Centre today and help out my good friend Rob Vanstone with his annual raise a reader memorabilia sale. Rob has found many great items over the years (sorry I couldn't find anything for you this year big guy) and its an event that he is very passionate about. You can also get your picture taken with the three Grey Cup rings that have been presented to the Riders which is very cool. All proceeds go to the Raise a Reader promotion that the Leader-Post has done for years and one that I endorse highly. Go check it out if you can. If you're a collector, chances are you will find something you like. Chances are, you will find something you like even if you aren't a collector. Its a big collectibles show so take it in if you can. I may see you down there.