10 (LONG) WEEKEND THINGS

Taking Shots …

1 – SUNSHINE STATE DERBY: For the past few winters I’d been longing to make a road trip across the state to catch some sports action in Tampa Bay, whether it be NHL, NFL, MLB or College Football. That opportunity finally presented itself this weekend with the latest clash of the Battle of Florida with the Panthers at the Lightning on Saturday afternoon! The Bolts rolled out the red carpet for our Cats ‘N Bolts Podcast, we had an impromptu pregame meeting with NHL icon Phil Esposito, and a fun time was had by all. Except, perhaps, by the Lightning who were embarrassed 9-2 by the Cats in the contest. However with their three Stanley Cup wins displayed prominently at Amalie Arena, the result was viewed as nothing more than a temporary setback by the locals.

2 – THE GREAT OUTDOORS: 151,018 hockey fans went through the turnstiles at MetLife Stadium this weekend for the NHL’s pair of OutDoor Games (New Jersey 6-Philadelphia 3, NY Rangers 6-NY Islanders 5 OT). That brought the NHL’s total of outdoor games to 41 all-time, and they’ve attracted a total of 2,104,384 fans to these stadiums. Are you one of them? I am. The 2019 NHL Heritage Classic at Mosaic Stadium in Regina (a 2-1 Jets win over the Flames) was a signature life event! I distinctly recall saying to Commissioner Gary Bettman at the pregame luncheon back then, “Thanks for bringing the NHL to us rather than the other way around!”

3 – MORE NOTES: The Rangers’ comeback victory over the Islanders on Sunday – on a questionable call in OT IMHO – was the first-ever 3-goal comeback in an NHL outdoor game. … There have been 20 comebacks overall, but none by that wide of a margin. … There’s a growing murmur about a potential outdoor game in Florida and while it’s been deemed unlikely in the South Florida facilities of Hard Rock Stadium (Dolphins) or LoanDepot Park (Marlins) due to the humid conditions, there’s word there’s a chance the NHL could play in Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium (Buccaneers) due to a climate which is a tad more conducive to maintaining outdoor ice. One can hope!

4 – EVEN MORE NHL NOTES: A Calgary media member told me the Flames’ effort in Saturday’s 5-0 home loss to Detroit was the worst he’d seen in 44 years of covering the team between the Saddledome and Corral. … As we sit here today, the Flames are five points out a playoff spot with 27 games to go. Just think! Last week some in the Calgary media were pontificating that the team should acquire Mitch Marner from the Maple Leafs. W-H-Y!?! … While MC’ing golf tournaments last summer in Cowtown, I tried to rally the masses to be positive about the Flames but they were having none of it. Now I see why! … Those poor Calgary hockey fans.

5 – STANLEY CUP FAVOURITES: The latest Stanley Cup futures odds at our betting partner Bet Regal look like this – 1) Edmonton, 2) Florida, 3) Colorado, 4) Boston, 5) Dallas, 6) Carolina, 7) NY Rangers, 8) Vancouver, 9) Winnipeg Jets, 10) Toronto Maple Leafs. I suggest they submit these oddsmakers for a random drug test because not only can the Oilers never beat the Vegas Golden Knights when it counts, these guys don’t even have Vegas in the Top 10! These are the same oddsmakers who picked San Francisco to win Super Bowl LVIII.

6 – SUPER BOWL LEFTOVERS: It was rushed to get back from the Vegas Super Bowl in time to host a week of RP Shows so there never really was an adequate recap of the events in this column. The #1 question all week around here was ‘How was Super Bowl?’ Well, it was better than ever, bigger than imagined, and yes, the highlight was meeting 90s rapper Flavor Flav on Radio Row (didja know he’s a member of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame?). … My hairdresser Melissa came racing up to me at a gathering this week screaming, “Oh my God! My haircut interviewed Earl Campbell on stage at Super Bowl! I had to show my Dad!! I was so proud!” That was a real nice feeling. … Happy to report we’re already locked in to host events at next year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans. Now, time to find a hotel room. (They’re currently averaging $1,000 per night).

7 – MORE NFL STUFF: The current Super Bowl LVIX odds at Bet Regal are – 1) San Francisco, 2) Kansas City, 3) Baltimore, 4) Buffalo, 5) Detroit, 6) Cincinnati, 7) Dallas, 8) Philadelphia, 9) Miami, 10) Green Bay. … They don’t ever learn! Never bet against Patrick Mahomes! … I’m being urged by Miami sports fans to switch my allegiances from the Cowboys to the Dolphins. “There’s not as much pressure,” one guy advised. “We don’t ever expect em to reach the Super Bowl.” … Somebody brought up in Vegas what it means that Bill Belichick will be out of the NFL in 2024. My suggestion is, “nothing”. Tom Brady was out of the NFL in 2023 and no one seemed to notice. I don’t even think Tom attended Super Bowl.

8 – OH CANADA: While we’re at it, here are the latest Grey Cup odds from Bet Regal – 1) Winnipeg, 2) Toronto, 3) BC, 4) Montreal, 5) Hamilton, 6) Calgary, 7) Edmonton, 8) Saskatchewan, 9) Ottawa. … These seem much more accurate to me than the NFL outrights. … This prognostication will cause many in the Rider Nation to howl but, sorry, this is how it looks from outside the 306. There’s a ton of hoopla, glitz and sizzle around new head coach Corey Mace but when the smoke clears, reality will eventually settle in. He’s a fantastic coach but can only do so much! … As RP Show football analyst Jim Barker said on Friday’s show, “The best job in the CFL is being head coach of the Roughriders … until you lose.” It’s not a criticism and it’s not hating. It’s the truth. … Looks like Craig Dickenson will be taking the 2024 CFL season off after departing from Riderville. After what he’s been through, I’d advise the same. The 2019 West Division Coach of the Year will return on his terms. … I was told this week the financial picture of the Edmont0n Elks over the past two years was so grim that if it was privately owned, they’d have folded. So there’s an example of the benefit of community ownership.

9 – FLAG FOOTBALL: I noticed something over the weekend that made me smirk. Mainstream, local media is now sending crews to – and covering – flag football events all around South Florida. However up until the October announcement that Flag Football would be included in the 2028 L.A. Olympics, these events were entirely ignored. Glad we got in with USA Football when we did! … Wonder if these media outlets will cover the upcoming combine and live draft for regional Flag Football leagues for players as young as six years old! It’s happening.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Remember when a Sports Illustrated subscription would come with an NFL team jacket? I never, ever got my jacket in the mail. … The older I get, the longer it takes to get ready. … Religion is for people who don’t want to go to hell. Spirituality is for people who’ve already been there. … If you’re going to send me your team’s game summary two days later, don’t even bother. … What is a grindstone and why should we keep our nose to it? … Happy Family Day and Presidents Day if you observe! … AND HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen