Thursday, February 7, 2013
This And That
That is arguably the best curling player that is coming out of Saskatchewan talking about the controversy surrounding the Brock Virtue rink after the Chris Schille ejection at the provincials. Ben Hebert did not mince any words by making that statement to Rod Pedersen on "Sportscage" Tuesday afternoon. I thought the comment would have gotten some more play., but it didn't. Is it because Hebert is right? I am guessing the Saskatchewan Curling Association can't be impressed with the fact that two members of their championship mens rink calls Alberta home. They also can't be happy with the fact that this team is brash and shows their emotion. I don't know if Hebert needed to call out Scott Manners, but I guarantee you Virtue and company will do better than what Manners did last year. I'm not saying they will be a playoff team, but they will be a team that will go out with every intention to win and end the drought that Saskatchewan has had at the Brier. If their emotions get the best of them, I would expect the CCA to come down on them much like they should on Wayne Middaugh, John Morris or anyone else who steps out of line. At the end of the day, the competitors have to behave much like they do in any other sport or else they will be punished for their actions.
The next question is this. Is this good for the sport? This story has gotten a lot of play from the national media over the last couple of days. People are talking about curling. The sport gets great ratings from TSN and its time to dominate network programming is coming as the Scotties is about to start. They say any publicity is good publicity so I can't see where this hurts the game any.
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It took me until I got into my car before I could find a positive about Thursday night's Pats game as far as the home team was concerned. At least Phil Andrews sounded good. It was an epic beatdown at the Brandt Centre Thursday night as the Edmonton Oil Kings had their way with a Pats team that isn't making the playoffs. The final score was 7-0 and yes, it was nasty. However, what would you expect when the Oil Kings come in with 12 NHL draft picks on their roster and quality picks like Griffin Reinhart, Keegan Lowe and Henrik Samuelsson. I just look at that Edmonton team and I remember the days when the Pats had a powerhouse. I now just ask if we will ever see those days again. Dare I say it, but that team has regresssed this year. Do they have the talent that other teams have? No. Have they had some rough luck on the injury front. Absolutely! Do they need to find some players to work with Chandler Stephenson, Morgan Klimchuk and others in the off-season. Yup! I saw a lot of upset Regina hockey fans at the rink last night. I understand their frustration and I keep hoping it will turn around and that we will see a team that can give us a long playoff run. but I don't know if that can happen in the next 2-3 years. I hope I'm wrong on that one because Regina hockey fans are just itching to see a long overdue playoff run. Since the Memorial Cup season of 2001, the Pats have I believe gotten to the 2nd round of the playoffs just once. Its time to produce a winner! Pat Conacher tries night after night to get everything he can out of his team, but they just don't have the horses to compete. I can only wonder what Conacher would do with a more experienced team that is a little bit more gifted around the net. Hopefully, I will find out next year.
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Are the Winnipeg Blue Bombers really going to hitch their wagon to Buck Pierce again? It would seem as if all indications right now are that they are. The team didn't try to trade for Mike Reilly. They don't seem to be showing any interest in Adrian McPherson, they don't seem to be showing any interest in Kevin Glenn. Is there anyone else out there? Are they going to go with Joey Elliott or Alex Brink? Is there any optimism amongst the Bombers fan base?
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I get the feeling Rider fans will be happy by the end of the day. I'll just leave it at that.
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We are just 140 days from the start of the CFL season.
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Darryl Sittler is in Regina tonight for the Kinsmen Sports Dinner. It was 37 years ago last night that Sittler did something that hasn't been repeated. He scored 10 points in a game. Here it is...
If Gretzky and Lemieux couldn't get 10 in a game, I don't know if there is anybody who will tie or break that record. Could Sid do it? Sam Gagner came close last year, but he only had 8.
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I've hardly watched any NHL this year, but in checking out the hi-lights and reading some articles. I just have this to say on what's happened so far.
--Teemu Selanne is simply amazing. He is still producing at a high level at 40 plus.
--Ales Hemsky is playing the best hockey he has ever played in Oiler colours
--The Canadiens are 6-2-1??
--The team I took to win it all (Chicago) is showing early on that they have the best team
--The Leafs are the Leafs
--What happened to the Washington Capitals?
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Premier Brad Wall tweeted that Marilyn Manson's crew wanted him to move his truck in Saskatoon on Wednesday night or else they were going to tow it. The premier of our fine province drives a truck? How cool is that!
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I hit the 1800 mark in followers on Twitter on Thursday. I never ever dreamed I would have 1800 followers. I didn't think I would have 900 followers!
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When will someone start mentioning Yorkton Terriers coach Trent Cassan as someone who should move up a level? The Terriers just win under Cassan much like the Humboldt Broncos do with Dean Brockman.
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Why would the Chicago Bulls be interested in Andrea Bargnani? If they send Carlos Boozer to Toronto and you add Boozer with Rudy Gay, the Raptors might actually be considered formidable.
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Monday's all Canadian "How I Met Your Mother" was one of the best half hours of television I have seen. By the way, if you saw the episode you would know that Robin Sparkles saw her career come to an end performing at the 1996 Grey Cup. The actual halftime act that year was "The Nylons". I would have rather seen Sparkles or Robin Daggers as it were. Have you been to Tim's to get a "Priestley"? Word is that some stores are actually making them. If you don't know what a Priestley is, you'll have to watch the show.
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If the Undertaker is going to perform at this year's Wrestlemania, he had better hurry up and make an appearance.
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Anne of Green Gables is being portrayed as a hot, seductive blonde? That is just so wrong! The whole story can be found right here.
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I have no problem in Monopoly replacing the iron with a cat. I voted for the iron to go away.
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Have you ever noticed that a woman saying "I'll be ready in 5 minutes" is like a man saying "I'll be home in 5 minutes!"
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Have a great weekend!
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18 comments:
Mitch, I haven't been to a Pats game since Eberle's last game. I have said it once and I will say it again. The Parkers do not care about wins and losses, they care about $$$$. They have not provided Regina hockey fans with a solid team to get behind for years and now after one year of getting to the playoffs (albeit barely), they are on the outside looking in again. The Parkers need to step away from this team with a new group coming in that will bring in hockey people who know the game and remove this dark shadow from a great franchise's existence.
Al
Good point on Cassan. With Dwight gone in Weyburn, the dean of coaches is Brockman and then its Cassan. Battlefords guy is pretty good too.
The Pats did indeed get a beat down. Yes the Oil Kings have a powerhouse. Yes the Pats do not, The thing is that Edmonton didn't have a team six years ago. They made it to the Memorial Cup in five just five years. How many years will it take the Pats? If the Parker's can't do it in almost two decades then tell me exactly how much time is it going to take? Other teams find talent and build powerhouses but not us. Something must change.
Curling needs more personalities, the day's of Paul Gowsell, Big Orest Meleschuk, etc., are gone but were some of the best entertainers in the game, to bad these guys didn't have the opportunity to be on TV more back then as it would have really drawn a lot of talk.
My understanding from reading the SCA comments in the media regarding this situation is that there was no verbal abuse of an official by Schille, but in cases where there is abuse of a volunteer official I believe it should be an automatic ejection. Kicking rocks and swearing on the ice has been part of the game for ever, agree with these actions or not. Brad Heidt, as one example, has been doing it for 30 years and the SCA has done nothing about it, why?
I am tired of watching women's teams high five and smile after misses and losses. This makes a mockery of the game and hurts women's curling as many fans feel it is not a serious sport for them, it is a social activity. Anyone that new the Sandra Schmirler team new they were fiery competitors and you seen no high five-ing after misses and losses and no big smiles when shaking the other teams hands after a loss. They were fiery competitors along with being great athletes which propelled them to their world dominance for many years. But if you think there wasn't the odd swear word come out of some of their mouths on the ice by these ladies you are wrong.
I want competitors winning my province, I am tired of sending people who are just happy to be there. Ben Hebert hit the nail on the head with many of his comments on Sportscage.
I don't have a problem with guys showing emotion in sports, but when it gets to swearing and being ignorant to officials thats another problem. I don't have a problem with what Hebert said, but I wouldn't expect any member of the Martin rink to behave the way Schille did last weekend.
Obviously you have never watched Martin up close and live on a regular basis!
When things aren't going well for Team Martin there is plenty of rock kicking and swearing. These action's are not limited to a few players, it is quite common throughout the game, many teams have at least one player and some teams have more that constantly exude vulgar language and/or kick rocks. Some people love it, some people hate it but it's the reality of sport in general when you care about something as much as these people do, and it doesn't matter if it is hockey, ball, golf, or football, passion is passion but these guys have microphones on which other sports don't.
I remember watching Sittler's night at my grandparents in Swift Current. I am hoping to get an autograph or keepsake of some kind at the dinner tonight. That's a great clip of that magical night. Thanks Scruff!
Al, I can't disagree with your comments.
Yes Hebert is bang on in his assesment and that is why everyone has been quiet. I have talked to a number of different people and none of them want to see the game get our of hand when it comes to broom breaking,rock kicking/swearing but on occasion it is good for the game, it shows passion.
Anne of Green Gables as a hot blonde? That is so anti-Canada! Who thought up that dumb idea?
Kevin
Chad will end up falling on the sword this season and another yes-man will be brought in to continue with the era of terrible hockey that the Parkers have brought us. Enough is enough already and I was saying that three years ago.
Just remember this all you anti-Brent Parker fans. If it wasn't for Russ and Brent, this team would have been dead a long time ago or playing elsewhere. The results may not have been there, but I would rather have losing results than no team whatsoever. Losing the Pats would be a disaster and that includes if they were replaced by another team just getting off the ground.
To the last Anon.... I know Mr.Brent Parker saved this team from being moved. You would rather have losing results. Shame on you. A lot of fans in this city deserve a winner. You play hockey to win and thats it. All Parker cars about is what is in the bank account.A lot of fans including me are pissed off like last night i wanted to go to the game but changed my mind. I would rather do something else than watching them lose. Average attendance is dwindling as people are finding other fun things to do than watching their team lose night after night.
Quote of the year from Benny!!
I can't argue with you Al.
Anyone who would rather have losing results is clearly one who has low expectations in life. Edmonton lost the first Oil Kings who won a couple Memorial Cups to Portland. Portland won Cups. Edmonton got another team called the Ice. They moved to Kootenay and the Kootenay Ice have become a big time franchise and won a Memorial Cup, Edmonton got their Oil Kings back and in five years were at the Memorial Cup. Edmonton has started up three times with winners in every case. If the Parkers would have taken their franchise elsewhere, the League would have bought out the name and put a new franchise here. The result would have likely been that we would be a powerhouse by now. Anyone who would rather embrace losing is truly daft!
Re: Pats
They are a bad hockey team and they won't go to the playoffs. Was it worth two playoff gates not to trade Weal last year? Now the team is begging you to come by offering two for ones and food and drink specials. I was not at the game last night, but I can assure you I am not wasting my money on this team again this year. They need to show me signs that they will be competitive next year or else I won't be back.
Paul (used to be in 106)
Its sad when maybe Sittler's 10 point night and the Gilmour goal against ST. Louis are the only highlights of the past 37 years. FML!
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