This And That

I guess that once again we learned a lesson this week. We've all been bitching about the fact that winter won't leave. Would you rather have what you're going through or be involved in what happened in Boston on Monday and in Texas on Wednesday?

The events of the Boston Marathon had to shake many people  up including right here in good old Regina because some of our own were right there and saw all the commotion first-hand. Thankfully, they weren't at the finish line,

I can't stop thinking about the man who had just run the race and had gathered with his family to celebrate what obviously was a major triumph when the bomb went off. In an instant, this guy had gone from perhaps going through one of the most exhilarating moments of his life to having that life taken away as his son was killed, his daughter lost a leg and his wife suffered terrible injuries.

I also wonder just what would make people do this sort of thing. Did anyone win from what happened? If someone thinks the answer to that is yes, they are very, very twisted. No one wins, but everyone loses.

I picked up the phone Tuesday to do a story with Doug Russell from the Queen City Marathon about whether or not organizers have to look at security in the wake of what happened. Sadly, the answer is yes and little old Regina and everywhere else. Something we never thought could happen has. Its not as bad as 9-11, but its comparable.  The bottom line is getting up off the canvas and resuming our lives. Sports plays a big role in that and that was proven at the Bruins game on Wednesday. That national anthem and pre-game ceremony was amazing to see. Our resiliency is something you can never take away.
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Before the events of Monday afternoon, the Edmonton Oilers took up the sports headlines with the announcement that Steve Tambellini was out as GM and that Craig MacTavish was in with Scott Howson returning in MacT's old position as VP of hockey operations.  I'm very disappointed with the play of the Oilers and while I think some of the blame ence, Kevin Lowe said all the wrong things and  showed many that the moves at the top didn't go far enough.  Lowe proved his idiocy in front of all. The president of hockey operations made a complete idiot out of himself. He questioned one reporters query about whether or not he's lost patience after a three year rebuild. It seems to me that in making these moves by showing he has lost patience by making this move. However, that comment    was nothing compared to the one in which he said only one person in hockey today has more Stanley Cup rings than him. Of course, we all know that Kevy boy was won zippo in management with all his Cups coming from his days on the ice when he just stood back and watched the likes of 99, 11, 7, 17, 9 and 31 do their thing. Make no doubt about it, Lowe played a role in those Cups, but it was nothing compared to what the others had. I think it will be a very interresting off-season in Edmonton as MacTavish starts to put his stamp on this team.  Hall and Eberle aren't going anywhere and I can see Sam Gagner getting a new deal after the season he has had. Would someone like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins be considered as trade bait? How about Nail Yakupov? Will the Oilers trade out of their first round pick this year? The blocks are there, but its like a JENGA. One wrong move and everything could come tumbling down.
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If what TSN's Darren Dreger reported this week is true, the NHL has taken one of its more popular items and killed it. There is no need to have six--count em six, outdoor games next year. I don't understand the thought process of Gary Bettman on this ( or many other things). Have a game in the U-S and have one in Canada, but you don't need six. The game at Dodger Stadium, which I think will be extremely cool if they can handle the ice situation, can wait for a year and so can the others.
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Jonathan Toews gets my vote for NHL MVP this year. Of course I don't have one.
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This Winnipeg Jets fan seems to be frustrated at his team's play....

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Baseball is a sport that wants to clean itself up from performance enhancers, but it proved this week that they're OK with alcoholism. Milwaukee pitcher Yovani Gallardo was arrested near the team's ballpark and charged after he was pulled over and found to have a blood alcohol limit at .22 percent.  The Brewers did nothing and either did baseball as Gallardo pitched Thursday. How can a sport sit there and say they want to clean things up and then let this slide. No fine, no suspension, no penalty whatsoever for Gallardo. That's brutal!
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A shout-out to Heather Anderson and Rustie Dean at Global. They are the  morning TV show of choice at Casa de Blair. Those two put on a great show every morning and are great to watch. I don't know how both of those ladies can look so good and be so energetic that early in the morning, but who cares. Thanks ladies!!
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If you're reading this in Regina, how much Juno activity are you taking in? Are you going to the awards? Are you hoping to hob-nob with some of Canada's musical best? If so, have a great time. Speaking of the Junos, CKRM co-worker, Pats play by play man and all around good schmuck Phil Andrews was excited to not only meet former Flames and Leafs player Gary Roberts who will play in th Juno Cup, but get his autograph as well. I couldn't help but wonder if Phil then took a two hander across the back after it was over. Much to Phil's chagrin, I was never a Gary Roberts fan!
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I left my cellphone at a friends Wednesday night and had to go a day without it. It was good in so many reasons and bad in so many other ways.
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I guess with the Junos on, I should leave it at this.


Have a great weekend!