MONDAY COMMENTARY – FIGURE IT OUT

(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98 & Rock 98.5 FM)

Sometimes I wonder if the “S” on the front of the Seattle Kraken’s jersey stands for “Saskatchewan”.

The sophomore NHL expansion franchise has the most Saskatchewan players of any NHL team at three.

And it was a treat to watch them all bust their cans for the Kraken here in Sunrise, FL Sunday night, beating the Panthers 5-2.

Jordan Eberle, of Regina, led ‘em all with a goal and was plus-2. Jaden Schwartz, of Wilcox, was held pointless but fired four shots on goal. And Cale Fleury, of Carlyle, was minus-1 but he’s still getting his feet wet as the youngest of the bunch.

But of course it was Eberle that I was watching the closest. I’m often asked who’s my favourite Regina Pat from my 20 years with the team (Radio & TV) and it’s always Jordan.

Not just because he was the best player, but because he’s the best person and that’s saying a lot because we had tons of great kids come through the Agridome.

And he hasn’t changed either. Eberle plays the game with the enthusiasm of a little kid on the pond. He’s always smiling ear-to-ear and it rubs off.

I noticed last night Ebs was working harder than I’ve ever seen and I’ve watched him since he was 15.

He’s figured out that the reward for hard work is more hard work.

Funny, again, how sports mirrors life.

As for the Kraken, just watch them some time.

They’re now second in the Pacific Division, just six points back of the Vegas Golden Knights whom everybody talks about.

And for a while the Golden Knights were Saskatchewan’s team with two players from the 306: Brayden McNabb (Davidson) and Chandler Stephenson (Saskatchewan).

Maybe the Kraken will become the darlings of Sask.

But they’ll have to do a lot more winning first.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV, YouTube Live and WQEE Radio)