10 WEEKEND THINGS

Taking shots …

1 – WHAT A CLIFFHANGER!: The Edmonton Oilers downed Nashville 4-1 in a Saturday matinee and are now one win away from tying the NHL record for longest win streak (17 games, 1993 Pittsburgh Penguins). However we all have to sit through the All Star break until the Oilers’ next game! It’ll be Tuesday, Feb. 6 when Edmonton visits the Vegas Golden Knights, the defending Stanley Cup champions and the team which ended their season last year. OH THE INTRIGUE! (My Cats ‘N Bolts Podcast co-host Sarina Taylor, a lifelong unapologetic Oiler fan, thinks the streak will reach 20 games before tapping out).

2 – HISTORY: In my mind this is the biggest NHL regular season game since December 2, 1992 when Detroit visited the NY Rangers in a much-anticipated heavyweight rematch between Bob Probert and Tie Domi. Does anyone else remember that? And can anyone think of a game bigger than that, till now? And what a prehistoric time that was for the NHL. It was before the internet, before Gary Bettman, and before fighting was largely abolished. (Probert won that fight by the way, although Domi celebrated like he did).

3 – NHL NOTES: The Florida Panthers won their eighth straight road game on Saturday, 3-2 in OT at the New York Islanders. Meanwhile the Isles have lost three straight under Patrick Roy. … There’s plenty of talk in South Florida what Sam Reinhart should fetch in free agency. The former Kootenay Ice star and son of former NHL’er Paul Reinhart set a Florida record last night with his 20th powerplay goal of the season, and he’s got points in 13 straight. He’s currently earning $6.5M in the last year of his contract and frankly, I wouldn’t pay him much more than that. However there are those who feel he could fetch $9M per season. … The Leafs swept the Jets in a home-and-home and I suspect there’s panic sweeping the Bison Province. However we advise not to fret! It just shows what the club has to work on, or perhaps add. … With the Trade Deadline looming, it reminds me how GMs will always, always try to improve their team no matter what. Can’t blame them, but it does sacrifice chemistry. 

4 – DUB HUB: The Regina Pats visit the Calgary Hitmen in a Sunday matinee. What a stark contrast from almost exactly a year ago when 19,289 packed the Saddledome to watch the phenom lead Regina to a shootout victory. A year later, both the Pats and Hitmen sit out of a playoff spot as they get set to clash in Cowtown. I’m starting to see the moaning on social media, that the Pats should’ve dealt Bedard ahead of last year’s WHL Trade Deadline but no, no, no! You’re not allowed to do that. Did the Pats do the right thing by holding onto Connor? There may never be a correct answer to that.

5 – CJHL: Your guess is as good as mind as to where #WEXIT stands today. (The exit of five AJHL teams to the BCHL). It was a week ago that news broke those five teams were fleeing the Alberta league, and Hockey Canada, to join the BCHL next season but in the week since, we’ve had statements from those teams denying a move and the AJHL seeking clarification. They don’t seem to have received it! What we can all agree on is that this situation has been completely botched, it’s a major threat to Junior A hockey in Canada, and none of us would have a problem with the AJHL if they kicked them out immediately. … In the meantime, the CJHL Top 10 Rankings are: #1 Flin Flon, #2 Brooks, #3 Collingwood, #4 Steinbach, #5 Trenton, #6 Virden, #7 Sherwood Park, #8 Winkler, #9 Summerside, #10 Battlefords.

6 – CFL: A few things caught my eye this week from the 3-Down League. Saskatchewan re-signing veteran QB Mason Fine was a telltale sign that they couldn’t get a deal done with incumbent back-up Jake Dolegala. Sure enough, we later learned Dolegala appears headed to Calgary. … Don’t get offended Rider Nation! Players simply aren’t as loyal as they once were. … This is also proof that any talk of “facilities” being attractive in recruiting is bunk. Saskatchewan has the best facilities yet Calgary has the worst. That doesn’t seem to be a factor in player signings at all. It’s about money and opportunity. … Former Stampeders offensive lineman Jay McNeil being named President of the Calgary Stampeders seems to be a massive step in the right direction. It’s shades of the success Saskatchewan had with Jim Hopson and Winnipeg is having with Wade Miller. Football guys who know business! … Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly re-did his contract AGAIN? Isn’t that twice in six months? These CFL contracts should be written in pencil.

7 – NFL: It’s Championship Sunday in the NFL. In the AFC title game, Kansas City is at Baltimore with the Ravens favoured by 4-points at our betting partner Bet Regal. Over in the NFC, Detroit visits San Francisco with the 49ers listed as 7.5-point favourites. All week I’ve heard tremendous analysis and reasoning for why the Chiefs, Ravens and 49ers will all win however I haven’t heard ONE pundit pick the Lions! I’ll be cheering for Detroit because it’s the best story, but I’ll go with the oddsmakers and say Baltimire and SF will win. … A guy at the gym this week said he wants the Chiefs to lose because he’s sick of the Mahomes/Reid/Kelce/Taylor Swift circus. I countered that I am not, because I ignored the Swift/Kelce stuff all season and simply admire the greatness of the Chiefs. When the Stampeders and Patriots were doing all the winning, I never got sick of it. It’s hard to win, period, let alone over a sustained period of time. This is the Chiefs’ sixth straight AFC title game!

8 – SOBER BOWL: Please make plans to join us at Sober Bowl Las Vegas next month during the Big Game! The RP Show will be broadcasting during the week from Radio Row in Vegas in advance of SB LVIII and then on the Sunday, I’ll be moderating a panel which includes big NFL names like Earl Campbell, Ryan Leaf and Leigh Steinberg (all People In Recovery). There will also be bands, a comedian and more all at the Clark County Amphitheater. Tickets are available now at SoberBowl.us.

9 – A.I.: Last week I wrote here about Artificial Intelligence being the biggest threat to the planet’s safety. It is, but that particular topic can be discussed another day. However I find it annoying – if A.I. is in fact the reason – that my web browsing and advertisements are predictive based on my searches and browser history! For instance, all I’m getting are ads for hockey & football tickets and products, and Addiction Treatment Centers. I MISS getting at least some info on the NBA but since I don’t search for it, it doesn’t pop up! This seems wrong.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Has anyone ever combined Ranch Dressing & Salsa? Last weekend I discovered it by accident when the two mixed on my plate while watching NFL playoff football. If not, I’m claiming it as an RP invention, and calling it RANSA. It’s amazing! … How long do we keep saying Happy New Year for? I gave it till around Jan. 20. … Do you ever see a child with their head UP? … Another RP invention: “Sportbetting”. It’s the same as sports betting, but with no money nor lunch on the line! Just for fun. We do it daily for NHL games, presented by Bet Regal, on the RP Show. … Speaking of, I’m off to go sportfishing for the day. Fishing just for fun! Remember – the thrill is in the catching, not the keeping, and as my friend Chris From The Bronx says, “pictures last longer!” … AND HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen