FRIDAY RUNDOWN: RAUTINS, THOMAS, STAMPEDER & MORE!

We headed into the weekend covering all the biggest sporting topics in our world with Episode #724 of The RP Show – Daytime Sports & Entertainment Talk – on Game+ TV! Read on for the rundown:

• RP and Moose Dupont kicked it off with The Warmup covering these Quick Six show topics: 1) Canada falls 1-0 to Costa Rica in World Cup Qualifying, 2) Thursday NHL leftovers, 3) The Blue Jays trade OF Randall Grichuk, 4) Raptors & March Madness musings, 5) Junior hockey goings-on, and 6) Cleveland introduces Deshaun Watson and Miami introduces Tyreek Hill. Could the CFL do similar splashy player unveilings to the media?
• TSN basketball analyst Leo Rautins joined the show from Toronto to discuss March Madness and the Raptors playoff push. Leo, a Syracuse alum, said everybody’s bracket is busted although his Final Four is still 50% intact. Rautins feels the basketball hasn’t been great but the athleticism has been, and it’s nice to see the tournament return to full-form after Covid. He also discussed the inspirational run by Duke in the final season for Coach K. Regarding the Raptors, Leo said it’s been a very quick rebuild and that Scottie Barnes should get strong consideration for NBA Rookie of the Year.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: What will you be following the most in sports this weekend – March Madness, NHL, CFL Combine or Other? At press time, the NHL was leading however there were several write-in votes including NLL, NASCAR, and World Cup Qualifying.
• Winnipeg Jets radio broadcaster Jamie Thomas joined the show to discuss the team’s disappointing 5-2 home loss to Ottawa on Thursday, and Friday’s return to Winnipeg by Patrik Laine with the Columbus Blue Jackets. JT said Laine admitted to being nervous before the game, but expects a big cheer and video tribute. Regarding the play of the Jets this season, Thomas said the team has been plagued by “inconsistency”.
• Lacrosse Link podcast host Stephen Stamp joined us from Peterborough, ON to preview this weekend’s NLL games. He said the home-and-home set between Buffalo and Halifax are the featured games, with standings implications atop the NLL Eastern Conference. Regarding the league’s return to play from a Covid hiatus, Stamper said there has been no drop-off in goal production and they really never missed a beat. He also said he’ll be watching Dan Dawson’s pursuit of the NLL career games played record held by John Tavares.
• Thursday’s Rockstar of the Day for RoxDar Supply Chain Solutions was Rush captain Chris Corbeil. Friday’s was Leo Rautins!
• Be sure to catch the RP Show Best of the Week 0n Access Now Television airing Saturday and Sunday at 12 pm Sask Time. Guests include Rob Vanstone, Justin Dunk and Chris Corbeil.
• See you Monday at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV, YouTube Live and RodPedersen.com/ListenLive!