DuPont’s 10 Things
By: Darren DuPont
We interrupt your Grey Cup week programming for a look at some of what else is going on … and maybe a little 111th Grey Cup too.
1. VANCOUVER — RP is off to Vancouver and I’ll admit I’m a little jealous. It sucks not being in Vancouver this week with everyone and their pics are already filling my timeline. However RP will have everyone covered on social and on Thursday and Friday’s RP Show’s live from Vancouver so that will be great. Meanwhile, I’ll be staying back to cover some hockey and other things they need taking care of. It’ll be alright, I’ll survive.
2. 87th HARDY CUP – The weekend was quite the whirlwind. It started Friday with a flight into Saskatoon for the Hardy Cup press conference. The people are what make these trips so memorable and both Saskatoon and the U of S are first-class hosts. It was great to see everyone. In the end it was the Rams pulling off the upset win in Saskatoon over the Huskies. Plenty of history was made Saturday afternoon.
3. 24 YEARS IN THE MAKING – The Hardy Cup was the first Huskies/Rams meeting in 22 years and fans from both cities SHOWED UP! The crowd was great, the weather was better, and the game lived up to the hype. The Rams victory was their first Hardy Cup win since 2000 and they became the first team with a 3-5 record to win the conference. They earned it.
4. McCONKEY/GRAY – It felt good to see Rams coach Mark McConkey finish this year with a championship. He’s been very honest, open, and generous with his time and that makes my job so much easier and improves the product we deliver to the viewers. To be honest, Scott Flory is just as good. Coaches across the Canada West are first class in this regard. The story of this Rams team is their defence. They have the number one unit in the conference and statistically are a top-7 defence in the country. Honestly, I’d put their defence up against any in the country. Rams’ defensive coordinator Sheldon Gray played with the Rams in the early 00’s and has this team just two wins away from a Vanier Cup championship.
5. UP NEXT – Saturday was my last football game this season and it’s always bitter sweet. It was another unforgettable year but it’s sad every time it comes to an end. I appreciate all the DM’s, texts, and emails from those asking and hoping I’ll be on the call this weekend but it’s ok. You’ll be in good hands as the coverage shifts to CBC and Mark Lee takes over on the call for the Mitchell Bowl. He’s a legend and instantly brings the game major credibility. I hope one day to be able to do the same. As for the game, the Rams meet the Laval Rouge et Or at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Obviously Laval will be a favourite coming in but I guarantee you they haven’t face a defence like Regina’s this season. I’m excited to see how it plays out.
6. OHL – After the Hardy Cup I was up at 3am and off to the airport to catch an early morning flight back to the GTA. Sunday night I was broadcasting the Oshawa Generals and Kitchener Rangers first meeting of the season. I had a chance to interviews 17-year-old Rangers’ forward Luca Romano in the first intermission. Romano, who helped Canada win a gold medal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup this summer in Edmonton, picked up a third-period goal to extend his point and goal streak to seven games. He could work his way into being a late first round NHL pick next summer. Oshawa earned a spirited 3-2 win in front of an electric crowd.
7. NEW MARKETS – It continues to be a blast being introduced to the OHL this fall and I’m excited to see what lies ahead. On Friday I’ll be off to Kitchener and am excited to join their television broadcast for the night. I love not being tied to one market and one team. It’s fun to meet new people and get introduced to new fan bases and markets. I’ll have three games in three nights this weekend capped off back in Oshawa again on Sunday. I love it and really enjoy being on the road.
8. NFL TOP-5: 1. Kansas City 2. Detroit 3. Buffalo 4. Pittsburgh 5. Philadelphia.
I’ll have a full breakdown on Wednesday’s RP Show plus a look at the NCAA playoff rankings and what lies ahead. It is fascinating.
9. GREY CUP WEEK – I’ll admit, the hype train has been a little slow early in the week but that’s normal. We will start ramping up the coverage Wednesday on the show and then RP will be live from Vancouver Thursday and Friday. We found out Tuesday that injured Argos’ QB Chad Kelly won’t be making the trip due to concerns about being in the air with his injury. While it’s never ok to celebrate and injury no matter the circumstances, this may turn out ok for the CFL PR department. Those fans on the fence can probably feel good about rooting for Nick Arbuckle and the Argos this week and think that’s good for the league.
10. RANDOMS – Congrats to TSN’s Kenzie Lalonde who came the first woman to call NHL play-by-play on TSN Tuesday night. She nailed the call of the Senators and Maple Leafs on TSN in the Sens region… I’ve been touring OHL arenas this fall and it’s been fun but it’s got me thinking about the best buildings I’ve been in. Both Oshawa and Peterborough are cool and I’d put them up against some great WHL arenas. Not much rivals the Brandt Centre in Regina when it’s full in the playoffs. Unfortunately it’s been a while since it’s been rocking. What’s your favourite junior hockey barn?… Are Winnipeg Jets fans the best? Up 4-0 against Dallas on the weekend they started chanting to Stars’ goalie Jake Ottenger “US Backup!” This comes after Winnipeg fans were chanting “Where is Rutger?” when the Pittsburgh Penguins were in town. Outstanding… Best thing I saw on social media in the last week: The Pope was tweeting last week (@pontifex) and used the hashtag #saints. You can imagine the replies from NFL fans across America!…
Enjoy Grey Cup week and we will see you on the RP Show!
Yeah 10-15-20 years of Kenzie Lalonde riding busses in Jr A then major Jr. In at 3 am and doing a morning sports update at 5 am. Then come back and host a local show around 5 or 6 pm …..she sure earned her ticket to the show and got endorsed by Leah Hextall to boot. As for U sports and Jr Football. Honest to God I wouldn’t know these leagues even exist. If the CFL wanted to do this right. Canadian football means a celebration and all this would be packaged up and hyped. CFL nationals haven’t slapped the… Read more »
I have honestly never been to a game in a WHL barn that I didn’t love. SaskTel Centre – love the big-time feel even when it’s not full Brandt Centre – it’s perfect, it’s the biggest of the small rinks and the smallest of the big rinks, and so much history Keystone Centre – just dripping with character and a great intimate feeling Moose Jaw Events Centre – love the spacious feeling and the downtown location Rogers Place – huge and impressive and awesome atmosphere when there’s a big crowd in the house Langley Events Centre – this may be… Read more »