DuPont’s 10 Things
1. FROZEN FRENZY – The NHL has been great on back-to-back nights so far this week. On Tuesday, every single team was in action. Not a great night for the Leafs, Oilers, or Habs but a good night for Calgary, Ottawa, Vancouver and Winnipeg. The Jets remain perfect!
I don’t think it’s too premature to be excited about the Jets. I do think it’s too early to write off the Oilers. The Flames? I’m not sure yet.
2A. NHL ON PRIME – Frozen Frenzy comes on the night after a second Monday Night Hockey game on Prime. It was the first time I was able to sit down and watch and I came away impressed.
First, instead of a regular countdown screen you get to be in the building for all the pregame ceremonies. A small countdown clock in the corner counts you down until the show and instead of watching a generic screen you get to watch the ice, inside the building, and even watch warmups. Very creative! The game presentation has a “big game” feel to it and that’s refreshing. Mark Messier needs to be on our TV’s in Canada more. He’s great. It has my mom wanting to watch and adding comments like “he has barely aged at all!” Overall I was impressed and think it could be a nice addition to the NHL offering in Canada. Excited to see where they go with it.
2B. – TRUE OR FALSE – I saw this on Tuesday watching sports talk and I wanted to play so here we go. Feel free to drop your answers in the comments.
– Nashville will make the playoffs despite the 0-5 start: True. I think they’re far too talented to miss. Tuesday was a good start.
– Six Canadian teams will make the playoffs: False. Montreal and one other will miss. I don’t know who, but I just can’t see it. I want it to happen though and the start of the season has many optimistic.
– The Winnipeg Jets are the best team in hockey: TRUE! Strong defensive play, balance in the lineup and great goaltending. They have it all. The start has been earned and although I really like the New York Rangers, it’s hard not to crown the Jets as the early #1.
3. CANADA WEST – The final week in the regular season will be a fun one. I’ll be in Regina on Friday night for the Rams and Golden Bears in the regular season finale. It’s simple for the Rams: win and you’re in. For Alberta, they’ll need a win plus a Calgary loss against the Saskatchewan Huskies to get into the playoffs. Exciting times.
The Rams come into the game boasting the best defence in the conference despite just two wins. They need the offence to click if they want to extend their season beyond Friday.
4. MORE FALL BALL – It’s so much fun preparing for games, especially when the conference is as tight and competitive as the CW is. UBC has won 5-in-a-row after losing their first two to start the year while Regina won its first two before dropping the last five. Both could make the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Huskies may be peaking at the right time and reinforcements are on the way. Despite being near the bottom of the country in sacks and interceptions, the Huskies got some veteran help last week with the return of Charlie Parks and Reece McCormick to their defensive line while standout Nathan Jule could still return before the end of the year. That’s an entire starting defensive line added just in time for the playoffs that they haven’t had all year. Wow.
5. NCAA – Canadian Kurtis Rourke is garnering more and more consideration for the Heisman trophy as Indiana remains unbeaten. The Hoosiers are now ranked higher than the Alabama Crimson Tide and could challenge for the CFP Playoff but Rourke suffered an injured thumb which could keep him out. Early indications weren’t good but the news has improved. He is doubtful for Washington this week but could return sooner than later. It’s too bad because ESPN’s College Game Day is headed to his campus on Saturday.
6. CFL FINAL WEEK – It’s always the question of how much does any team want to extend itself to win a game that doesn’t really matter? Yes, first place is still up for grabs in the West but both the Riders and Bombers are heading to the playoffs and both will host home playoff games. But, how much do you risk in order to get that extra week off? For Saskatchewan, they’ll know if they have a chance at first place by the time they reach kickoff against Calgary. By then, the game could mean absolutely nothing. If I’m Montreal I do not want to go into the playoffs on an uninspiring 2-game slide. The Als haven’t won a game by more than one score in over a month. Then again, they’re pros and they’ll be ready for the East Final no matter what happens.
7. PREDICTIONS – I have none. Zip. Zero.
I was more confident a month ago that Edmonton and Montreal would meet in the Grey Cup than I am about anything today. It’s wide open and that’s exactly how we should all want it. If you made me predict a Grey Cup today I’d pick Saskatchewan vs Toronto. 🤷♂️
8. NFL Top 5 – My NFL power rankings will be appearing in the RP Show newsletter along with my best bets for the coming week. You can watch today’s RP Show for the explanations but here are my Top-5 NFL teams as of today:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Detroit Lions
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Minnesota Vikings
5. Buffalo Bills
Agree?
9. GAMES OF THE WEEK – NHL THU: Panthers @ Rangers, SAT: Jets @ Flames, Leafs @ Bruins… WORLD SERIES Game 1 Friday…. NCAA 🏈 SAT: Notre Dame @ Navy… USPORTS FRI: Alberta @ Regina… WHL FRI: Blades @ Wheat Kings
10. RANDOMS – I may be incorporating some OHL content into this column each week. I’ll start getting into the league when I’m back in the GTA Sunday. I’m excited to get back to the rink…. Grey Cup is quickly approaching. We are hoping to bring The RP Show to Vancouver, just need a couple things to fall into place. I’ll keep you posted… I love bread but I need to resist a little more often. … Started watching the new NHL documentary on Prime and the first two episodes are some of the best hockey content I’ve seen in a long time. Amazon is good for the NHL. … It was 0 degrees in Wynyard on Tuesday. Take me back to Bali, please. … The difference between pros and amateurs? Amateurs spent 20% of time on practise and 80% on play while pro’s prepare 80% and play 20%.
Have a great rest of your week!
Random – the ndp has an uncoated $3B plan that is fuzzy on girl math. You pay more. – if it were not for Brad wall and Scott moe. “Former sask party mla” would be failed ndp liberal candidates. They pensioned out on your time. – Walsh acres ndp mla jared clarke. If they win he is your next minister of education. It is on just bins and the western standard. He has not one but two teenage boys who are going by law change and shower with you daughters Message is getting sent loud and clear Big public sector… Read more »
I learned something new today, thanks for that!
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