10 WEEKEND THINGS FOR CAPITAL AUTO MALL

1 – SO LONG CABO – This weekend we return to the Great White North from Paradise, with a bank full of memories and a bunch of new friends. From hanging out with Gord Bamford, to checking Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina off the bucket list, it’s been a dream come true. 10 years ago Cabo Wabo – The World’s Party Capital – and I wouldn’t have been a good mix but now it fits like a glove. What can I say? God’s got great timing.

2 – 2020 – An oft-asked question in the sun-splashed pools at the Riu resort was “How are the Riders gonna be this year?” My stock response is that as long as Jeremy O’Day is in charge, the Riders will be good. He knows talent, knows how to win, and isn’t afraid to make the tough, unpopular decisions (like not offering Naaman Roosevelt or Micah Johnson contracts in this free agent period). I shudder to think where this franchise would be without QB Cody Fajardo but, again, you can thank O’Day for that acquisition. The Riders will be good.

3 – THE WEST RACE: The Riders aren’t perfect but show me a team that is. I’m told Saskatchewan made a major play for free agent DT Dylan Wynn but in the end, he elected to stay with the Ticats. That’s not really a fail. I read somewhere that those D-line positions are easy to fill but I totally disagree. Outside of the QB position, I think nose tackles are the hardest to find. But that might be the only hole. The O-line is aging, but they just need one more good year. Again, this is why they play the games.

4 – BOBBY! BOBBY!: One of the biggest NHL stories of the week was Ottawa forward Bobby Ryan notching a hattrick in his return home from a rehab stint for alcohol dependency. Tears were flowing in C-T Centre as he was named first star, and was serenaded by the empathetic Senators fans. It’s proof that when you commit to a life change, your life gets better. And the more work you put into your Recovery program, the better your life gets. It ain’t rocket science.

5 – AYRES OF OMISSION: The other story is one that will remain popular for a long time to come. 42-year old Zamboni driver and emergency back-up goalie David Ayres backstopped the Carolina Hurricanes to a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night In Canada. Here’s my take: It really is a matter of perspective, so please don’t over-analyze it. NFL fans are scoffing, asking if a groundskeeper could come in and quarterback the Arizona Cardinals to a win? I get the argument, but let’s shelve it and take the Ayres story for what it is. A fluke. The only people who should be angry are the Maple Leafs and their fans. And by the way, has Mike Babcock stopped laughing yet? The Shanaplan has turned out to be a sham.

6 – XFL: It’s Week 4 and everyone I know is talking about the match-ups. I’ve committed to Marc Trestman’s Tampa Bay Vipers and they take an 0-3 record into Sunday’s home date versus the Washington Defenders. This *inaugural* season has been a head-scratcher in that attendance has gone up each week, but TV ratings have gone down. However Commissioner Oliver Luck said this week they “have something to work with” moving forward past this season. We now have reason to watch, including former Rider and Stampeder Derek Dennis suiting up for the New York Guardians Saturday afternoon against L.A. at MetLife Stadium. The Bonecrusher is stoked! This is fun stuff.

7 – POUND THE ROCK: The NLL’s Toronto Rock make their first visit to SaskTel Centre since 2017 Saturday night when they visit the red-hot Saskatchewan Rush. This is the Rush’s second game in the season-long Alterna Cup (best winning percentage among Canadian teams). Sask is 1-0 while Toronto is 2-1, coming off a loss at Halifax last weekend. This is the first Rush game I’ll miss in a long time, and it stings. Have fun!

8 – POST TRADE DEADLINE: The Vegas Golden Knights are mowing everything in their path, including a 4-2 home win over Buffalo Friday which was the club’s 8th victory in a row. They and the Oilers won the trade deadline, but Vegas turned the Oilers into mulch last week, beating them 3-0 at The Fortress. They are your Cup favourites ladies and gentlemen. … Meanwhile, Blue & Orange still runs in my veins and one look at Dave Tippett makes me melt. He’s such an impeccable human being and, as far as I’m concerned, the best coach in the NHL. They just shoulda got a goalie at the trade deadline. If Robin Lehner was available for Vegas, why wasn’t he for Edmonton? Ouch.

9 – NFL TIDBITS: The Underwear Olympics are on in Indianapolis (aka the Combine) but it hasn’t caused me to flip over to NFL Network. Still, tons of league business is getting done in Indy and that includes a lot of gossip around the future of Tom Brady. Be very cautious of what you read leading up to free agency on March 16. Trusted sources are saying Brady’s time with the Patriots is done and there’s a great shot he’ll end up with the Las Vegas Raiders. WOULDN’T THAT BE SOMETHING! … Meanwhile with regards to this petty bickering over money and the next CBA, I’d caution owners and players to be very careful and to manage their greed. So many people turned their back on MLB and NHL during their lockouts/strikes and never came back. Fans pay the freight and if they continue to be taken for granted, they’ll be gone. They are the cornerstone piece at the bottom of the Jenga tower which is sports, but were forgotten long ago.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Happy birthday to Regina Pats great and NHL tough guy Lyndon Byers who turns 14 today. He was born February 29, 1964. … Kudos to the Saskatoon Blades for bringing David Ayres in for a game as a marketing initiative. I wouldn’t buy a ticket to see him, but I’m sure many will and it certainly has people talking. And that’s what it’s all about. My definition of marketing = buzz. … The Saskatchewan Rush are bringing Brody Jenner in for their next home game, of Keeping Up With The Kardashians fame. … Rumour is Saskatoon will host another UFC Fight Night on June 20. Don’t miss that one. Trust me. … I’ll be back on the hockey airwaves Tuesday for Melville-Humboldt from Elgar Peterson Arena on SaskTel Max TV’s SJHL Game of the Month. #humboldtstrong …. The CFL is scrapping the notion of having the #1 playoff seed choose its Round 2 opponent. GOOD! Now let’s find out whose idea this was and give them the choice of which exit they prefer. … February has been so unbelievable that I almost have to pinch myself. Thanks to those responsible for making it happen including the Saskatoon Kinsmen, Vegas Golden Knights, the staff of The Rod Pedersen Show, Capital Auto Mall, Bell Media/Pure Country and Vision Travel. I’m very grateful!

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen