10 WEEKEND THINGS FOR TITAN AUTO

1 – SO LONG KAWHI: Canadians woke up to the news Saturday morning that Kawhi Leonard has signed with the L.A. Clippers. I expected a reaction of panic and an outpouring of emotion across the country. Instead, the first Tweet I saw was “It’s basketball. Who cares?” So Canadian! For those who are genuinely upset with Leonard’s decision to play in his hometown for millions over re-signing with the NBA champion Raptors, I say “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Additionally, that earthquake felt Friday night was 36 million Canadians jumping off the Raptors bandwagon! (Credit: Dave “The Sports Doctor” Petrishen)

2 – BATTLE OF THE BACK-UPS: Mosaic Stadium in Regina hosts Canada’s Game of the Week in the CFL Saturday night when the Calgary Stampeders visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8 pm). The Riders are favoured by 5.5-points in a battle of back-up QBs Cody Fajardo (Sask) and Nick Arbuckle (Calgary). Football fans across the country are anxiously watching this game to see if these teams’ – and the league’s – future is on display. We need a changing-of-the-guard after the retirements of Henry Burris, Travis Lulay, Kevin Glenn, etc.

3 – BO PEEP: According to CFL Game Notes, tonight is the first start Calgary QB Bo Levi Mitchell will miss since 2014. If you’re Calgary fans, forget about the future. You’re concerned about now! The Stamps’ fate has long-rested on the strong shoulders of BLM. A serious injury to the Katy, TX product, and the yet-to-be-determined play of Arbuckle, could single a downturn in Cowtown.

4 – TAILGATE PARTY: Please join us at the Canadian Armed Forces/Regina Rifles Tailgate Party prior to tonight’s game from 5:00-8:00 pm at the Regina Armoury (across the street from Mosaic Stadium)! As always there will be a beer garden, face painting, games, displays and more. ALL proceeds go to the Junior Ranks & Senior Ranks Officers Mess. The Rod Pedersen Show will be on hand with show swag as well! (NOTE: Mugs aren’t allowed into the stadium so you’ll need to return them to your car or check them with Guest Services).

5 – STANLEY CUP: Lord Stanley’s silver chalice will be featured at tonight’s Rider game courtesy the three St. Louis Blues who hail from the 306 – Jaden Schwartz, Tyler Bozak and Brayden Schenn. The Cup will be featured during the first TV timeout so pay attention! Schenn spent a nice day with the trophy in Saskatoon on Friday, and the visit included a trip to a local fire hall.

6 – FOR THE W: Blue Bombers voice Bob Irving said it this summer and he’s right; when you don’t play your best and still win, that’s a sign of a great team. Winnipeg is now the CFL’s lone unbeaten club after holding on for a 29-14 win at Ottawa on Friday Night Football. Did the RedBlacks give it away? Absolutely. Should the Bombers apologize? No way.

7 – WELCOME MATT: Bombers QB Matt Nichols left the game with an undisclosed injury after being pulverized on a QB keep. Was the hit dirty? From the TV angles provided, no. However the Bombers may feel differently. They may also wish Nichols was a little less careless with his body, and hook-slid instead. Depending on the severity of Nichols’ injury, it may now be Chris Steveler’s turn to be a star. As far as head hits to QBs go, the Riders might be saying, “Now Winnipeg, you know how it feels”.

8 – ANCHORS AWAY: That was some pretty exciting news reported by Dan Ralph of the Canadian Press on Friday, that the Atlantic Schooners will begin play in 2021 out of Moncton. For some reason, I didn’t notice it talked about at all on the CFL on TSN broadcast Friday night!! Regardless, Ralph’s report marries nicely with TSN Dave Naylor’s report on The Rod Pedersen Show that the Schooners project WILL happen, even if it takes longer than people would like. It’s also our belief that when it happens, Eric Tillman will be the Schooners first GM. A perfect choice.

9 – FLIGHTDECK: Hats off to the Montreal Alouettes for dismantling the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 36-29 on Thursday night to open Week 4 in the CFL. It was a perfect night for the Als in their homeopener, and the best outcome for the CFL. The league can’t afford to have a weak sister. The decision to tarp off upper sections of Percival Molson Stadium was genius. It condensed the crowd making for a better atmosphere and way better images on TV. Kudos also to rookie HC Khari Jones for notching his first career win. Perhaps torpedoing Mike Sherman WAS the right thing to do, however doing it 7 days before their season-opener still looks bad. Anyway, well done Montreal.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: The addition of G Mike Smith will make the Edmonton Oilers a playoff team. Book it. Did you watch how many games were blown last year by bad goaltending? The quartet of Holland, Tippett, McDavid and Smith is an excellent place to start. Keep going. … Here’s what’s wrong with the NHL these days: Milan Lucic wants out of Edmonton, the Oilers want him out too, but no one will take him because of his salary. They should be able to rip it up and allow Looch to start over somewhere else. … The Rod Pedersen Show is making daytime TV great again! If you’re tired of endless soccer, tennis and auto racing highlights, check us out on Facebook Live and RodPedersen.com/ListenLive weekdays from 10-Noon MT. Shoutout to new show sponsors Capital Auto Mall, Universal Collision Centre, Bronco Plumbing and Prairie Mobile Communications (an authorized SaskTel Mobility dealer). … Remember the Blue Jays? … Kudos to Regina Pats GM John Paddock for scoring a hole-in-one at the Clear Lake, MB golf course this week. … Wherever you are, we hope you’re having a great summer!

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen