10 WEEKEND THINGS

Taking shots …

1 – BECAUSE IT’S THE CUP: The Final Four in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is taking shape. In the East, it’s going to be the Carolina Hurricanes versus the Florida Panthers while in the West, we’re still waiting on Edmonton/Vegas and Dallas/Seattle. Don’t look now but if the chips fall a certain way, it could be an all-Sunbelt Final Four consisting of Vegas, Dallas, Florida and Carolina. Somewhere, Gary Bettman smiles …

2 – CARDIAC CATS: If you saw this coming from the Florida Panthers, you’re a fibber. The good news is I predicted a Vegas/Florida Stanley Cup Final. The bad news is, that was my prediction last year. (Can you imagine trying to slip that one past the sportsbooks? Haha). Regardless, South Florida is truly buzzing with the upstart Panthers and all of a sudden Matthew Tkachuk and Paul Maurice have become household names. This is not the same team as last year’s Panthers squad which captured the President’s Trophy. Neither Pomo nor Chucky was here. The roster isn’t nearly as talented but they have oodles more heart, clearly.

3 – RATS: The Panthers haven’t been this far since 1996 when they reached the Stanley Cup Final, only to be swept by a Colorado Avalanche team which boasted Hall of Famers Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy. Those Panthers didn’t have a single Hall of Famer but as franchise great Bill Lindsay told us, they may have had more heart than any team in NHL history. Those of us old enough remember the infamous “rats” story from the since-destructed Miami Arena being so old and rat-infested that the Panthers players were habitually killing them with their hockey sticks on their way from the dressing room. To this day, rats are part of the team’s brand however rubber rats aren’t sold in the arena merchandise stores anymore for fear of fans throwing them on the ice. (An NHL edict).

4 – INSIDE THE WALLS: As mentioned in prior weekend columns, my plan was to be in Portage, MB, Kamloops, BC, or both, for the Centennial Cup and Memorial Cup this spring. However the universe and hockey gods had other ideas and have landed me back in South Florida to witness Rounds 2, 3 and maybe 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Believe me, I’m not taking a single second of it for granted and feel infinitely blessed to be welcomed behind the Panthers curtain. No team has ever treated me so well. Regarding last series versus Toronto, one Panthers person quipped, “Mitch Marner’s so soft, I’d like to lay on him. I think I’d get a great sleep!” He said I could use it, but not till after the series! 

5 – “WE WANT FLORIDA”: I’ve had Leafs fans seething about how Round 2 went down, and said they “hate” Panthers fans even more than Bruins fans. Honestly, I wonder why? Sure the Florida hockey fans had a lot of fun with the Leafs Nation’s chant, “We Want Florida!” but what would you expect them to do? Otherwise these Sunshine State hockey fans wouldn’t hurt a fly and if anything, they have a chip on their shoulder for never being taken seriously and being repeatedly told they don’t deserve a team. And you’d have to be here to understand it, but it’s a totally different vibe or mindset than anywhere else I’ve been. If you asked any of them why the Panthers are on such a miraculous playoff run, they’d say, “They manifested it!” Chill is real.

6 – OFFICIATING: Anyone who’s won championships, or lost them, will tell you that you need a whole lot of luck in order to win it all. So the Panthers have been been on the receiving end of some bigtime luck in the video review booth when you look back at the “Hand Pass” call against Boston in Game 5 of Round 1 and the waved off Toronto goal in Game 5 of Round 2. Both of them turned the series. But you still can’t tell me that’s a pro-Sunbelt franchise conspiracy.

Out West, I’m somewhat shocked by the big name Canadian hockey media who’ve called out the NHL for the coincidental 1-game suspensions of Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse and Vegas’s Alex Pietrangelo after Game 4 of that Round 2 series. Whether these guys are right or wrong, their criticism of the NHL Head Office has been harsh to say the least. Are the head honchos content to say this is media simply blowing off steam, or will there be repercussions down the line? We’ll see.

7 – DRINNAN: Not sure where else to fit this in but I’m truly disappointed not to be attending the Memorial Cup in Kamloops, BC and reuniting with my old Regina media pal Gregg Drinnan. I got word from some media folks that Gregg “wants nothing to do” with yours truly and another veteran scribe said Mr. Drinnan’s holding a grudge that goes all the way back to something which occurred in 1998. It was a strictly professional occurrence, in my opinion. To that I got a heckuva chuckle – said I’ve already forgotten grudges I’ve held since yesterday – and still refer to G.D. as the GOAT. I read his blog everyday! What a way to be.

8 – CFL: The excitement is certainly building towards the 2023 CFL season. I saw somewhere that someone wrote they expect the Saskatchewan Roughriders to achieve 10 wins or more this season. I’m not quite as optimistic, but will pencil them in for eight. That’s an improvement over last season’s 6-12 showing, but proof there’s still plenty of work to be done. … Also mark me down as a Trevor Harris fan. However the Ohio product has plenty of detractors (don’t we all) which should only serve as added motivation for Trevor this season. While on the radio in Ottawa this week, the host said to me, “When things go wrong, watch how much blame Harris is willing to take. It won’t be much.” To that, I say this: a winner doesn’t plan on things going wrong and only deals with it when/if it arises. This is a fresh start for Trevor Harris and I back him. We all deserve as much in life.

9 – CAPITAL F: Speaking of, hopefully things are starting to make sense and become a whole lot more clear. When I returned to the U.S., my Florida State business license was waiting for me, in the field of Mental Health & Addiction Recovery. Florida may be the Addiction Capital, but it’s also the Recovery Capital. (You can see how the two would go hand-in-hand). It’s also the Fishing Capital, Fitness Capital and Golf Capital. But as far as the Recovery business goes, that’s a unique, special, essential service. The sports media aspect compliments it very well, just like in Sask and Alberta. Very happy!

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Had a dream last night that I was covering Roughriders training camp and Matt Dunigan was the Riders Offensive Coordinator. … Then I woke up. … Do golfers go play hockey once their season is done? … “Just a little extra money goes a long way man!” – quote from my Brooklyn friend Chris S. regarding a side hustle. … Your Arlington Renegades are the 2023 XFL champions! I watched it on ABC and Arlington was 5-6 going into Saturday night’s championship game against the D.C. Defenders. They never trailed all game but had to hold off a furious second half rally from D.C. to win 35-26. … I can see why no one would want to partner with The Rock. /sarcasm off. … Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe’s three goals in series clinching games has tied a club record held by Bill Lindsay dating back to 1996. Pinch me, that Lindsay and I have become close friends! We’re the same age, he’s from Fernie, BC, and is alum of the Tri-City Americans. We love swapping Dub stories! … 38-year old Joe Pavelski’s eight goals in Round 2 are the most by a Dallas Star in a single round in franchise history. (Yes, that includes Minnesota). … As was pointed out this week by someone, ESPN seems to have a different announcer for each and every Stanley Cup Playoff broadcast. … Anyone else having problems with their LinkedIn app? … Humboldt Broncos assistant coach Chris Beaudry will be the keynote speaker at our Recovery Day Regina luncheon on September 25 at Conexus Arts Centre. DM me for tickets or tables. … Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers! … AND HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen