Something To "Mitch" About

--The Olympics are over. Canada had their best ever Winter Games finishing with 29 medals. We finished ahead of the US in medals.  We finished 3rd in medals just behind Norway and Germany.  We also didn't get a medal in curling and didn't get a gold in hockey.  Was it a good Winter Olympics or a bad one?  I would say it was a great one.

The men's hockey bronze was good to see as I don't think anyone really knew what to expect from this team with no NHL'ers there.  Yes, we could have won gold with the likes of McDavid, Crosby, Doughty and Burns there, but those guys may not have done any better than the ones who took him bronze.   You could see the joy on the faces of the Canadians as they were given their medals. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those guys and it is a moment they will never forget so good on them for getting something.   At the end of the day, we were better than the Americans and that's a good thing isn't it? 

As for the highlight for Canada, it had to be a drunken Scott Moir chirping at the ref in the women's hockey gold medal game.  That was such a Canadian moment.  It was like Jon Montgomery walking through the streets in Whistler with beer in hand after winning gold.

--Riders president and CEO Craig Reynolds told Rider Nation Thursday from Glendale, Arizona where 620 CKRM's Sportscage was broadcasting from that the team did not put in a bid to host the Grey Cup in 2019. Reynolds feels the timing isn't right at this moment even though the first year in their home was tremendous.  I don't have a problem with this.

Regina has had many big events roll through in the last 12 months and the appetite may not be there for a Grey Cup. I'm sure Reynolds and the organization saw people balk at the price of everything sports-related these days and said adding another expense with Grey Cup tickets and the stuff associated with it wouldn't fly right now.  Add to that the volunteers who may be suffering from some burnout.    Don't be surprised if the game comes here in 20 or 21.   3 Down Nation's Justin Dunk believes Calgary will get the 19 game.  Would the CFL put the Grey Cup in a Western locale three straight years? If the answer is no than I would say 21 for sure.


--With a couple of weeks to go before the WHL regular-season comes to an end, we have no idea who will finish where and who will play who.  What I do know is that if the Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats meet in a playoff series whether it be first or second round, it is going to be fantastic.  The two teams put on another terrific show in Moose Jaw Saturday night with the home team prevailing 3-2 in what had a playoff-type intensity to it.  Yes, games with Swift Current will be outstanding as well against either Regina or Moose Jaw.  In the end, the big winner is you the southern Saskatchewan hockey fan who have waited years for this scenario to live out.

After the game, Warriors coach Tim Hunter dropped a bomb on both the Pats and Broncos.  He told the Leader-Post's Greg Harder that he feels good about a potential playoff matchup with Regina because they are a better hockey team as they are 20 points ahead of them in the standings.  He then went on to say " I don’t care who we see in the playoffs; we’re going to compete in the playoffs and win in the playoffs because we’re a good team,” Regina, Swift Current and whoever will come out of the West might have been given the impetus to make sure that cheque doesn't get cashed.

--Regina, you did yourself proud this weekend. Almost 3000 people turned up at the Co-Operators Centre Saturday to get themselves swabbed in hopes of finding a match for an eight-year-old boy with a rare genetic disease called "Fanconi Anemia".  Only those between the ages of 17-35 could get tested because that is the best demographic for a perfect match and many showed up to do what they can.  Well done Regina!

--Going into Monday, four of the bottom six in the NHL are Canadian teams.  I thought we were over this! I guess not.

--Who will tap dance more today on NHL trade deadline day.  The TSN or Sportsnet guys.  What do Onrait and O'Toole have up their sleeves?

--If the over/under on HR's by Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge is 89.5 this year, are you taking the over or under?

--That's all I got.  Have a great week!