10 THINGS I THINK I THINK FOR SOBER BOWL CANADA

1– WE MADE IT: It’s been a bitterly cold winter in Saskatchewan. NEWSFLASH: They all are. But it’s going to get up to +3 today and for the time being, the worst is behind is. People in the 306 didn’t get as crabby as they normally do during the cold snap so for that, kudos.

2 – EBS: Something struck my while watching the Islanders get past the Canadiens this week; Jordan Eberle has his smile back. The Regina product has 36 points riding shotgun for the real Johnny Hockey and has a shot at the playoffs in New York. All it took was getting out of Edmonton, which almost ruined him. That place is a graveyard for careers.

3 – OLYMPICS: Hockey Canada announced its roster for South Korea last week and unless you’re a hardcore Dub nerd, you have no idea who the players are. (Not surprisingly, Tom Renney and Willie Desjardins picked the squad). But I’d watch Canada’s games even if they were a team of off-duty mechanics. Go Canada Go!

4 – CLASH OF THE TITANS: The Regina Pats are in Prince Albert Wednesday night but that’s just the appetizer for Friday’s main course. Because on Friday, Tim Hunter’s Moose Jaw Warriors come into Regina which will evoke memories of our Pack The Dome Nights from the 80’s and 90’s. Moose Jaw is the #2 team in the nation but are a lot more demure than they were last year at this time, which is right around the time the Pats swept them in a home-and-home series. The Tribe was never the same again. I’ll be calling Friday’s game on Access/Shaw TV province-wide, and am already losing sleep over it!

5 – ALUMNI CLASH: I’d planned on heading back to Phoenix the week of the Pats Homecoming (Riderville Arizona is Feb. 22) but after the list of NHL Alumni was published, I don’t see how I can. It’s a Who’s Who including Wendel Clark, Darryl and Brian Sutter, Barret Jackman, Robyn Regehr, Tiger Williams and an impressive roster of others. They’ll face off on Feb. 17 in the Brandt Centre. What hockey fan can turn that game down?

6 – SJHL/MJHL SHOWCASE: The All Stars of the SJHL and MJHL were in Regina this week for a two-day showcase for NHL, NCAA and WHL scouts. There were over 60 scouts on hand representing most NHL teams and the Cooperators Arena was packed for the games. Now, Regina just needs an SJHL franchise to play out of the Coop and all will be perfect.

7 – DARIAN: Who was surprised Darian Durant refused Kavis Reed’s take-it-or-leave-it offer in Montreal this week? Not me. But now Durant is a free agent with a baby on the way and you have to wonder if his CFL days are done. They shouldn’t be but at age 35, his best days are certainly behind him. Anybody who knows Darian knows he’s not a #2. But if he wants to keep playing, he’s going to have to become one.

8 – STEROIDS: Rider lineman Bruce Campbell was nailed for a positive steroid test and admirably owned up to it (which is rare). But, just like concussions, fans don’t care about steroid-use. How is this any different than our beloved WWF in the 80’s or MLB in the 90’s when we all knew our favourite stars were juiced up? Just entertain us! If you want to destroy your body, that’s your business. Pro Choice.

9 – COACHES: Chris Jones told me in Banff that he’s hired a receivers coach but was still talking to five candidates for their QB coach position. When he’s ready, the Riders will announce their entire staff together. Meanwhile this week in Miami, Danny Barrett was fired as Dolphins RB coach and you have to wonder if D.B. would be interested in a return to Saskatchewan? Can he be a #2? Or #3? We’ll find out before long. And oh ya … why would you ever want to be a coach??!!

10 – SOBER BOWL CANADA: Canada’s premiere sober sporting event is coming to Regina to celebrate the NFL’s Big Game! It’s a fun party for families to watch the NFL championship, mingle with CFL personalities and keep Saskatchewan roads safe on Championship Sunday! Tickets will be going on sale by the end of the week so keep watching for details.

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen