This And That

So this is how you felt before the Western final is it Rider Nation? Covering our football team on a daily basis and writing articles for them means I can’t wave the flag the way I want, but that isn’t the case when it comes to the NFL. You know I’m a strong Seahawks fan and they are one win away from going to the Super Bowl. Much like the Riders, the only thing standing in their way is their chief rival, but its not the Calgary Stampeders, it’s the San Francisco 49ers. It’s the two best teams going mano a mano at CenturyLink field in what I’m sure will be a ring a ding dong dandy.  Yes, I am pumped for this one as you were for the Western final. I can't wait!!

I have no fear going into this one---just confidence. Can San Francisco beat Seattle? They absolutely can, but I prefer to think of the Seahawks advancing to their 2^nd ever Super Bowl against either the Denver Broncos (two weeks of smacktalk at Vanstone) or the New England Patriots. I’m on record saying it will be the Hawks and the Patriots for all the marbles. I don’t care if it’s the Hawks and Denver, just as long as Seattle as in and the NFL does not award Bill Leavy with the task of refereeing the big game.  Who's kidding who---the first one to 17 wins this one and I may be high on that point figure.  Oh yeah, it won't be Leavy, but Terry McAulay doing the game.

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Reginans are being asked to “Pack the Dome” tonight when the Pats take on the Kootenay Ice in WHL action. It’s a game that will be shown across the country on Rogers Sportsnet. Everyone in Canada knows Regina is a football town, but can we show them we are a hockey town too? I know there are a lot of ill feelings out there about the Pats, but it seems that ill will is changing day by day by day. The gameday experience may not be what it is at other rinks because there is no scoreclock at center ice, but Cliff Mapes and company have done a tremendous job of trying to get people in the rink and Malcolm Cameron has his team firing as they try to catch Swift Current for first in the East. I would like to hope a crowd of 5000 can be attained tonight, but I honestly don’t know if it will happen. Its up to you Regina. It is one night and it’s a night to show you still have some love for your junior hockey franchise. Make the effort!

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I won’t be at the Brandt Centre tonight. That’s because I have other duties to do as I will be at the scorers table getting ready for another weekend of Cougars basketball. The womens team just keeps marching along to what hopefully will be another berth at the nationals while the mens team continues to grow under new head coach Steve Burrows. The Cougars have had some close losses this year and perhaps their record should see a few more wins on it, but inexperience has played a role.  Bottom line is both teams are providing an entertaining product and they deserve a share of your entertainment dollar as well. Check them out if you get a chance this weekend.

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I won’t lie to you. I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of the High Impact Wrestling TV program. If you know me, you know I have been addicted to what goes on in the square circle since the days of Stampede Wrestling. I watch WWE regularly and call it my “rope opera”. Its going to be a lot of fun jawing at the wrestlers and calling the action with Pete Paczko.  I don’t think I’ll have that Jesse Ventura wardrobe, but I may have to see if I can borrow a bow-tie or two from Global’s Kent Morrison. I will miss the first tapings since the wrasslers are doing their thing at the same time of the Cougars, but I will be ready for the February card.

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Mark me down as one that likes the Oilers goalie swap. I was never a fan of Devan Dubnyk and I think Ben Scrivens can be a number one guy. He is an unrestricted free agent though so I hope the Oilers can lock him up and do it rather quickly. That’s the only thing that surprised me is I thought a sign and swap would have happened. I will admit I don’t know a lot about Matt Hendricks, but it sounds like he will be a 4^th line grinder.

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Was there any need for the Chicago Cubs to get a mascot?

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The LP’s Rob Vanstone was right when he suggested this week CFL players deserve more money. With a huge TV deal in the league’s backpocket it is time the players were rewarded. Perhaps a few more $$$$ will keep some players from wanting to pursue an NFL career. That dream is there for many players, but if a starters wage goes up significantly, some might just want to keep playing instead of earning a practice roster salary where they don’t get to do their thing.

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Curtis Hunt mused on Wednesday’s Sportscage that with the Riders, Thunder and Red Sox success over the past few years that we should start calling ourselves “The City of Champions”. Why not? The place that currently has that moniker really can’t lay claim to it anymore can they?

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Bombers CEO Wade Miller says he had the idea of having people get married at Investors Group Field. Hey Wade, this just in.  It’s been done at Mosaic Stadium. How about you think of something original and quit trying to copy what the Riders do. It really is laughable. Then again, it is Winnipeg!

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Speaking of Winnipeg, I don’t know about you, but I would take advantage of the new Regina-Winnipeg route on Westjet to watch the Jets play. Fly in on Saturday morning, go to the game and fly out Sunday morning. Would it be cheaper than driving with the gas? Hmmmmmmmmm!!! I wonder how many Rider fans might take advantage of that when the Banjo Bowl comes around.

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Regina was declared as one of the happiest places in Canada this week. The people behind this decision obviously was not trying to navigate around east Regina during Christmas. It begs the question “Why are we so happy?” Was this survey taken after the Western final?

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Have a great weekend!! GO SEAHAWKS!