Darren DuPont’s 10 Things
Let’s not waste any time and get right into it this week.
1. FOUR NATIONS – Use any words or phrases you want and you’d probably be right when describing Saturday’s Canada-US game in the round robin. That was like nothing I’ve ever seen or experienced in my life. Some of you will say that you’ve seen this many many times in the old days when fighting was more routine, but this was different. For the pro-fighting crowd, this was great largely in part to the fact that it’s not a regular occurrence. The fact that the emotion was so high made it infinitely more entertaining.
2. US +1 – In the end, the 3-1 win gives USA one on the board and an edge heading into Thursday night’s final. But it doesn’t mean everything. At the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, the United States beat Canada and the final preliminary round game but it was Canada who won in the final. The fact remains that through the round robin these two countries are incredibly even and nobody has any idea who’s gonna win Thursday. That’s what makes this great.
3. The Difference – I thought special teams might play a factor on Saturday night, but it didn’t at all. What will be the difference on Thursday? It could be Connor Hellebuyck. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender is proving that he can rise to the moment so far. But the biggest moment will be Thursday. Give the Americans a massive edge in that department. Barring a complete collapse on Thursday, Jets fans should be really encouraged by what they’ve seen from their goaltender on the biggest stage.
4. Biggest Game Ever – I think we’re jumping to conclusions a little bit if we think this is gonna be the greatest game ever. This topic came up on Tuesday’s RP show and it spawned a great conversation. We looked at NHL games, but how do you pick one to be part of a best game of all time discussion? I think many of us look back to 2010 as being a great moment. I look at 2002 and the gold medal game in Salt Lake City as being my favourite then we look at the 1972 Summit Series, Canada Cups and World Cups and there are a lot of games to choose from. I suggested it could be Wednesday’s poll question and it might be. But, what four games would you put in a pole to determine the best game of all time? For me, 2010, 2002, 1972… And?
5. Border Wars – I understand that some people think this is the biggest game of their lifetime and I don’t wanna take that away from anyone. Heck, it’s been almost a decade since best-on-best hockey. It doesn’t hurt that things lined up perfectly timing-wise between the 4 Nations Faceoff and the recent tension between Canada and the US, and the tariff talk. The US anthem being booed and hostility rising, and then Canada playing the USA in meaningful hockey games in front of the world is the case of great timing. It’s made these games way more important than they were ever going to be. In the end, it won’t really matter and the Olympics will far outweigh the result of the 4 Nations Faceoff, but it sure has made things a lot more fun. Enjoy Thursday it will be one we will remember.
6. Vladdy – We found out this week that the Blue Jays and star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Junior were not able to reach a contract and Vladdy will test free agency next year. It’s a big mess by Blue Jays management in my opinion. The unfortunate part is we’ve all watched Moneyball and want to maximize runs and results per dollar spent. The hard part is that formula doesn’t apply to stars. That doesn’t factor in things like jersey and ticket sales, television time, and other intangibles that aren’t measured on the score sheet. Pay the man. The positive is that Vladdy says he wants to remain a Blue Jay for life and the team will have an opportunity to get a deal done at the end of the season. Here’s hoping they write the check.
7. Scotties – It was a tremendous start for Saskatchewan’s Nancy Martin at the Scotties in Thunder Bay this week. Martin and her rink jumped out to a 3-1 record before dropping a pair of games. Now at 3-3, the room for error is next to none. Still, they are very much in it and it’s been fun to watch.
8. Morning coffee – I think I find myself finding reasons to love every time of the year. This is no different. The Season of Champions is always a treat. I absolutely love waking up, putting on a pot of coffee and turning on the morning draw from the Scotties or the Brier. It feels wide open this week other than the usual Rachel Homan dominance and that should make for a great rest of the week and weekend. Then it’s onto the Brier!
9. Junior Hockey Drama – It’s been a crazy week in the junior hockey circuit as we’ve learned Penticton and maybe Chilliwack are headed for the Western hockey league while, Notre Dame is leaving town and heading to Warman. Unfortunately, the Hounds haven’t really seen great success in the SJHL. After the team won their only league championship and a Centennial cup in 1987–88 there has been just one final appearance in the last 37 years. Here’s hoping it’s a warm welcome by Warman and success ahead. Meanwhile, Penticton, the crown jewel of the BCHL, is off to the WHL in a stunning move. It’s no secret that Junior A hockey has taken a massive hit over the last year and we have to work really hard to find a new identity moving forward. One thing I know is that these communities are resilient and the people in them will find a way forward.
10. Randoms – I still don’t know who I want the Titans to take with the #1 pick in the NFL Draft. I like Cam Ward and even Shedeur Sanders, but am also intrigued by Travis Hunter. But maybe none of them are the right pick. … Elliotte Friedman compared Canada and the US adding players to the Royal Rumble: you never know who’s coming down the ramp next! … People still have old-school satellite dishes and I learned you still need to climb onto the roof and brush off the snow and ice if your signal is not great. … Tuesday was Vanna White’s birthday. She’s still going on Wheel Of Fortune, now hosted by Ryan Seacrest. … Would you ever fly again if your plane flipped onto its head when landing? After Monday’s crash landing of a Delta flight many people have a renewed fear of flying. I’m still ok (I think) but we will find out in 4 weeks when I fly again.
Ok, let’s go Canada!! Talk to you next week.
Great stuff, Notre Dame’s Jr A team needed to move. How they lasted as long as they did. It was an open charity. I felt terrible for the players. They graduate – so then stuck in Wilcox a literal hell on earth inhabited by probably the worst people in the district. Some 18 or 19 year old is getting ready for a game. Gets to the rink and told it’s going to be the U18 AAA call ups. If there’s any justice and there is, but it comes slow. The next thing is for the U18 AAA to fold up… Read more »