Scruffy’s This ‘N That
Happy Canada Day everyone. There might be a lot wrong with our country right now, but there is a lot of it that’s right too so let’s celebrate the good this weekend:
STILL PERFECT: The Riders are 3-0 and yes, I think even the most diehard supporters of the football club wouldn’t have predicted that three weeks ago.
The 36-20 win over Hamilton was by far and away the best performance out of the three games. Is it coincidental that happens after two not so aesthetically pleasing contests. Perhaps it just proves my theory that with two pre-season games where you can’t really evaluate the number ones because they don’t get a lot of reps, you need two games to establish those reps and go from there.
Offensively, the running game after sputtering for the first two weeks got going as AJ Ouellette had almost 100 yards. I really liked the fact that Ouellette added 47 yards in receptions. Any worries about the run game seem to have been alleviated as new OC Marc Mueller is certainly getting AJ involved.
Speaking of involved, if you are a receiver on the green-and-white, get ready to see the football. Trevor Harris and Shea Patterson found eight different receivers in the win. To say the QB’s are spreading the ball around is an understatement. While Ajou Ajou only had one catch, what a catch it was as he scored his first pro TD. Again, give a lot of credit to Mueller for what is happening.
Defensively, the secondary breakdowns that plagued the team in Hamilton were corrected and turnovers were created While Jameer Thurman’s pick six was the highlight, I say that maybe the biggest play of the game was the fumble recovery he had deep in Saskatchewan territory after Bo Levi Mitchell was hit by Charbel Dabire. With Hamilton driving and Trevor Harris leaving due to injury, it was a momentum-killing turnover.
It sounds like the team dodged a bullet as Harris was not seriously hurt. Let’s see how things go Thursday at Mosaic against Toronto. FWIW, I hate Thursday night games, but much like TSN pigeonholes what time games are to going to start to fit in their programming, they also want all teams to host at least one Thursday night game.
THE EXPIRY DATE HAS PASSED: Bo Levi Mitchell wouldn’t be the first athlete who has played past his prime and he won’t be the last. The truth is the best of Bo Levi is past us and now we are seeing someone who isn’t close to the player he was. Yes, the season is young and yes, he could bounce back but the reality is he does not look comfortable in this Hamilton offence and his stock is dropping. Bo Levi has shown that he has a TV career in front of him if he wants it as he has done a fantastic job for TSN over the last two years. It might be time to make that jump from the field to the booth.
WELLLLLLLL: The Elks are 0-4. One could argue they could be 3-1 as they had a substantial lead on the Riders after three quarters and have lost their last three by a field goal in each. While they could be 3-1, the realism is they are 0-4. One has to wonder how much longer this team can go with Chris Jones. I thought this was the year Edmonton took a step up, but it isn’t happening even though they have been right there. Chris might want to see if his old high school job is open again because he may be unemployed by the time the high school football season starts in Tennessee.
THE POST-HOLLAND ERA: Quite the week for the Edmonton Oilers. They were one game short of a historic comeback and a Stanley Cup victory. Full credit to the Florida Panthers for finding a way to win when not many thought they would. As much as I didn’t like the end result, I felt great for Paul Maurice. I’ve been a fan of his for a while and his post-game interviews with both Kyle Bukauskas and Emily Kaplan were fabulous. You could see just how much this meant to him. It was nice for him to give the Winnipeg Jets some props as well. I don’t know how much longer Maurice has behind the bench, but when he decides those days are over, I hope he ends up on TV because his one-liners and demeanour will be great in the studio.
As for the Oilers, they now have to figure out if they can keep Leon Draisaitl. I think they can, but it might cost them one of their big-name players. I wonder if Evander Kane makes it to next season as an Oiler because of his salary and I would love to see Darnell Nurse sent packing, but that contract is a major anchor. That will probably be Holland’s worst move as Oilers GM, but the free-agent signing of Zach Hyman and the trade that brought Mattias Ekholm to Oil Country were grand-slams.
I have zero clue who the Oilers have tabbed to replace Holland, but it would be alright if they could get Mark Hunter. The Panthers found a way to get back to the Stanley Cup after losing the year before. Edmonton now has to do that, but we know how good that Western Conference is and doing that will not be easy.
MATVEI MICHKOV: Remember when Connor Bedard was heading into the draft and there was talk that maybe he would go number 2 with Russian Matvei Michkov going at one. Michkov then saw his draft stock fall a little because he wouldn’t be coming to North America right away. What was thought to be something that would happen in about two or three years is now happening as Michkov will be playing for the Flyers next year. I am looking forward to see how good this kid is. He can’t be Bedard-like can he? He will make the Flyers better. I just wonder when John Tortorella makes him a game-day scratch!
WHL SHINES AGAIN: No surprise that Macklin Celebrini was going to the San Jose Sharks with the first pick of the NHL draft. Was it a surprise though to see the WHL content that went in Round 1. Four of the top 10 including Saskatoon’s Berkly Catton were products of the Western Hockey League. A few years ago, some wondered where all the talent in the league was as high draft picks weren’t being seen. Those days have ended.
I really liked what the Sharks did as they try to get back to relevance. Not only do they add Celebrini, but defenceman Sam Dickinson fell into their lap as well. He was fantastic for London this past season. Getting him at 11 was a steal as far as I’m concerned.
Pats fans wait to see when Tanner Howe’s name will get selected. I am guessing he will be gone before the end of the 3rd round. I think he could go before Round 2 is over, but if not he probably goes in the top half of Round 3.
ORELVIS MARTINEZ: It is hard to think the Jays season could get worse, but it did on Sunday when it was revealed top prospect Orelvis Martinez, who just joined the club, had been suspended 80 games for PED. Predictably, Martinez came out and made an excuse to as to how he had tested positive. Why can’t a player just come out and say he is guilty and there is no excuse for it. Martinez isn’t the first player to take the “I didn’t realize I was putting something bad in my system and I should have followed the rules” stance. Its always someone else’s fault right? It is something that needs to stop, but sadly won’t.
CHECK OUT YOUR RED SOX REGINA: If the weather co-operates, you should head out to Currie Field to check out the Regina Red Sox this weekend. They are scheduled to play Moose Jaw Saturday and Saskatoon on Sunday. Regina goes in with a record of 19-6 after having a 12-game win streak snapped in the Bridge City this week. The WCBL is an entertaining brand of baseball with the young men playing for the various teams looking to continue their career on the ball diamond. If you have been to a Red Sox game before, you know it’s a great experience. If you haven’t, now is the perfect time. I’ll be on the mic doing PA both nights so I hope to see some good crowds.
That’s all I got. Have a great weekend!
