Something To "Mitch" About

It's St. Patricks Day. It's a day to wear green. Of course in Saskatchewan, that means its just another day, but what the hell.

It begs the question though as to who is the greatest Patrick in the history of pro sports. Would it be Patrick Roy? In my profession, it would be the great Dan Patrick. With it being St.. Patricks Day, it makes me wonder if MacDonalds still sells Shamrock Shakes. Remember those! I loved them as a kid.

Looks like Sportscage insider Arash Madani has ruffled the feathers of the usually unflappable Marc Cohon. The commish was not happy with Madani's story about the breakdown in CFL talks with the players association and issued a gag order with heavy fines going to teams that publicly leak negotiations on the talks. I think its safe to say the players are going to get more money---considerably more than they have ever seen because of the new TSN deal. The teams are just reluctant to have such a windfall come into their hands for the first time ever and then be told to start sharing the wealth. Perhaps I will think this is more of a story as we get a couple of weeks away from training camp, but right now its a non-story to me because I can't see the CFL or the players being stupid enough to have some kind of stoppage. That would re-define dumb in my opinion.

How many more days until training camp?

I can't believe the amount of Rider fans squawking over the Ottawa exhibition game in which the REDBLACKS will be the home team. If you don't want to go, don't go. Its as easy as that. Someone out there is more than willing to take your ticket.

I had the opportunity Saturday afternoon to watch my first Cubs spring training game as they played the Mets in Vegas. They threw some guy on the mound I had never heard of before and when the first inning was over, it was 2-0. Yes, the Cubs are back. Yes, they ended up losing after tying it up in the 8th and giving up a whack of runs in the bottom of 8. I think it ended up 9-4.

Its nice to see the snow melting when its supposed to melt unlike last year when it took until May. I was asked if there was snow on the ground on the May long weekend. I can't remember, but I think there was.

I couldn't help but shake my head and laugh on Sunday. The Weather Network was talking to officials in Toronto about Sunday's St. Patricks Day outside and the one medical guy was telling people to layer up because of the cold conditions. The high in Toronto Sunday you may ask-----------------minus 5! Minus 5!!! BRRRRRRRRR!!

This past summer, I went to Winnipeg for the UFC pay per view with five of my neanderthal UFC compadres with whom I watch the fights with every month. For whatever reasons, the six of us have not been able to sit down as a group and watch another PPV until Saturday. Good times! Good times indeed! Talk of another UFC roadie was had and yes at this time I'm in.

Speaking of the UFC PPV...did Jonny Hendricks beat Robbie Lawler? Despite what some have said, yes he did. The bout was even at two rounds apiece, but Hendricks decisively took the 5th. He may have looked like the more beaten up fighter at the end, but make no doubt about it, he was the winner.

Another High Impact Wrestling card went on Friday---soon to be seen on Access 7 in three installments. I won't ruin it for those that won't there, but Rex Roberts proved himself to be a champ with feathers. Bull Bodnar should be the champ. Its as simple as that.

Congratulations to the Regina Pats. Did anyone think when the puck dropped to start the WHL season that they would end it A) as a playoff team and B) as the number two seed in the Eastern Conference after winning the division. If you did, I don't believe you. Chad Lang should be commended for the fine job he did in getting Malcolm Cameron the players that were needed to make this team succeed.  Brandon is the team they get in the first round and the Wheat Kings won't be easy.  I don't think there is a lot separating the two teams, but goaltending and a little more depth at forward may be what pushes this team into the 2nd round. It won't be easy though.  Saturday night at the Brandt Centre will be fun.

Could Ryan Getzlaf be named the NHL MVP this year? His name is being whispered as a candidate. The Regina product has 73 points on the season which is well back of Sidney Crosby who like him or not has to be considered the favourite to win the Hart Trophy.  Is it just me or is that the most silent 73 points that Chris' brother has rolled up. There is one thing you can say about Getzlaf's team and that is it may be the best team in hockey right now.

Did Hockey Night in Canada show a repeat of Game 7 last year between the Leafs and Bruins or did Ottawa really perform a Leaf-like choke? Holy Mackinaw as Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen would say. What an epic collapse by the Senators.  Montreal gets three in the final 330 to tie it and then they win it in overtime. Its games like that at this point in the season that can really elevate one team and deflate another. Watch the results of these two teams over the next couple of weeks. As much as Ottawa was choked at the refs after the game for them losing, they really should look in the mirror because they lost that one themselves.

I didn't see who it was on Sportsnet doing an NHL mock draft this past week. At #2, he said the Oilers should take Kootenay forward Max Reinhart seeing they missed out on Griffin this year and that he would add to that stable of forwards. NOOOOOOO!!!  The only part of that sentence that was right is the Oilers instead of taking Yakupov should have went with Ryan Murray or Griffin Reinhart. Another forward is NOT what that team needs. I would almost consider trading the pick this year for an established d-man, some picks and a prospect.  The Oilers don't need Reinhart, but a lot of teams would love to have him if he is still on the board at 2.  Speaking of the Oilers, they are finally starting to play the way I thought they would this year. Too bad it took them 55 games to figure it out. SIGHHHHHHH!!!

Will you be filling out a bracket? Two of the best days in sports are coming up and those are the first two days of the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament.

Another top ten finish for Graham DeLaet. I can't wait to see the Weyburn product tackle Augusta.

That's all I got. Have a good week!