Something to "Mitch" About

--The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is underway at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw and opening weekend didn't really go to well for the Saskatchewan rink skipped by Stefanie Lawton (above). Lawton started things off well beating BC, but she lost to the favourites to be in the final as she dropped a Saturday decision to Rachel Homan's Team Canada rink and a Sunday game to Manitoba's Jennifer Jones.  The good news is Lawton has seen the best two rinks already and can move on. The bad news is she can't afford many other stumbles. She has a big Monday today with games against Quebec and Ontario. She will be expecting to be 3-2 at the end of the day Monday. 

--Do you recognize the two girls in the middle of this photo. They are Jenna and Sara England---the daughters of the late Sandra Schmirler. They were working the phones Sunday in the telethon for the foundation named after their mother. I had a chance to speak with Sara and my god her mother would be proud of her as her father Shannon most certainly is. What an outstanding young lady! She is someone who is just starting to realize what kind of legacy Sandra left with us and as she begins her career in the sport, she is determined to do what Mom did and represent Saskatchewan at the Scotties and beyond. Many are pulling for her.  I couldn't help but think back to after the 1998 Scotties in Regina when Sandra was representing Team Canada after winning Olympic gold. When the event came to an end for her on the Saturday afternoon, she did the interview with media and Sara, then a small child was enthralled with my microphone, So much so Sandra asked if I wanted to do yet another interview with her because Sara had likely ruined mine, Talking to Sara on Sunday just made me feel old. I can't believe its been so long since Sandra was taken away from us. There are days you remember in this business for all the right reasons and all the wrong ones. That was one of the days I'll never forget but for the sadness that was brought and not the joy, 

--I won't lie. I was a little nervous Saturday afternoon after Pats play-by-play man Phil Andrews informed me the team had left for Prince Albert and their regularly scheduled game against the Raiders despite the nasty weather. After what happened years ago to the Swift Current Broncos, I always worry a little about kids travelling across the province in less than ideal weather on the bus. Needless to say I was relieved when I heard the Pats were back home safe and sound. If you saw the pictures of what it looked like on the highway, you can thank what I'm sure was a white knuckled bus driver who probably had a double or two once he got home knowing he had gotten home safely.

--Morgan Klimchuk returns to Regina today as a member of the Brandon Wheat Kings. I would hope the Pats would do something nice for Klimmer by having some kind of tribute on the brand new scoreboard and thanking him for his time as a Pat.

--Who the hell is Anders Lee and what is he doing collecting a very quiet 28 points on the season for the Islanders. More importantly, why can't the Oilers find guys like this?

--I am mixed when it comes to the Riders sked as I'm sure a lot of you are. The thing which jumps out at me though is the fact four of the last five are on the road including the last two. . I don't like that at all. At the end of the day, you have nine games at home and nine games on the road, but I would have liked to see a little more balance. I am guessing its extremely tough for the Riders to try and get a home sked that is appetizing to all because every one has different reactions to when games are.

--The CFL really screwed up the schedule release. The idea to have fans unlock the schedule by asking for 10-thousand tweets was good in principle, but it needed to be thought out a little more. Then to screw it up on the website by making many in Rider Nation believe right off the bat that the annual Labour Day Classic against the Bombers was not going to happen makes me wonder who is double and triple-checking things in the office these days.

--Did anyone see the movie about the couple making out on the bus this weekend. I think it was called "50 Shades of Greyhound"!

--Some kid in Idaho gave a Valentines Day card to all 650 girls in his high school. I'm thinking this kid still didn't see any action over the weekend. Nice attempt though!

--That's all I got. Have a good holiday Monday and enjoy the week. Talk to ya from Moose Jaw on Tuesday,