The Monday Morning Goalie

Taking shots …

1 – What a freaking Sunday!! Highlighting it all of course, was Alexander Ovechkin becoming the NHL’s all-time goals leader, netting #895 against the Islanders in a 4-1 New York victory. Apparently there was some bigtime basketball being played, and I had the great pleasure of attending the Saskatchewan Roughriders free agent camp here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. So here are some thoughts …

#2 – There is no debate over who the NHL’s greatest goal scorer of all-time is. THAT’S WHY THEY COUNT THEM! The Top 5 are Alexander Ovechkin, Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Jaromir Jagr & Brett Hull. I don’t want to hear about Bossy, or Lemieux, or Dionne. For one, they’re all great.  And for two, again that’s why they keep track of these things. Ovechkin is the best. Ever. End of story.

#3 – Here’s the innocuous list of the 11 goaltenders who’ve been scored on by both Wayne Gretzky and Alexander Ovechkin: Sean Burke, Martin Brodeur, J-S Giguere, Ed Belfour, Nikolai Khabibulin, Olaf Kolzig, Chris Osgood, Mike Dunham, Garth Snow, Dominek Hasek & Kevin Weekes.

#4 – The list of sports celebrities sending congratulations to The Great 8 reads like a who’s who of sports & entertainment: Michael Phelps, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Sidney Crosby, Simone Biles, Derek Jeter, Steve Carrell, Roger Federer, Michael Jordan, Cody Rhodes, Dave Couliere, Marie-Philip Poulin, Pat Sajak & Danny DeVito.

#5 – SPORTS SHOULD BE FUN! Can we please not politicize this?

#6 – There were other NHL games being played Sunday too, ya know. The Florida Panthers lost their fifth in a row, falling 2-1 at the Detroit Red Wings. A local coach texted me that the Panthers couldn’t buy a goal and I responded that they were icing an AHL lineup due to injuries. He replied, “So?” At the Panthers Watch Party on Saturday, where the Cats lost 3-0 to Ottawa, one of Florida’s more famous fans came up to me and was in an absolute frenzy. His eyes were vibrating in their sockets as he said “Rod! Help me out! I’m freaking out here!” I put my hand on his shoulder and advised, “Dude — it’s just a hockey game.” Am I too jaded? Or just the right amount?

**Other hockey notes — Congrats to the Regina Pat Canadians for clinching the final game of the Kenora Regionals 7-1 over Winnipeg to earn a berth in the national championship (Telus Cup). Maddox Schultz scored thrice for the Pat C’s in the game. … The P.A. Raiders and Edmonton Oil Kings are going to Game 7 of their first round WHL series on Tuesday in PA. Portland and Prince George are doing the same thing Monday night PG. … The SJHL semifinals have Weyburn up 2-0 on Flin Flin coming home and Melfort leading Yorkton 2-0.

#7 – Around 40 hopefuls turned out for the Saskatchewan Roughriders free agent camp at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. I’m not sure if the Riders were disappointed by that number or not, but I’ve seen camps with well over 100 players in attendance. Anyway, the Green & White were represented by GM Jeremy O’Day, coaches Kent Maugeri and John Higgins and front office guy Kyle Carson. O’Day was hands-on, addressing the group and running the drills. In fact, he and I had a great visit in the press box and agreed to look forward, not back. We shook hands and it was great to catch-up! Go Riders. It feels great to be on the bandwagon again!

Lots of Rider fans are asking if anybody stood out and to be honest, I wasn’t really keeping track. Afterwards I heard there were four players who might garner an invite to rookie camp. But here’s one: There was a 23-year old offensive lineman there who measured 6’9″, 330 lbs. His dad told me the kid turned down a scholarship to an SEC school because his mom talked him out of going (think of Bobby Boucher in The Waterboy. These insidious people actually exist). Now, he’s realized his error and is trying to resurrect his career. I watched the young man closely and while it’s clear he played, there is zero chance his career will advance past that Sunday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale. What a lesson that is! Don’t let those around you hold you back …

#8 – Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Junior has always said he wanted to be a Blue Jay for his entire career. The two sides have agreed on a long-term megadeal that could make that happen. The 26-year-old first baseman and the Jays have agreed on a 14-year contract extension worth 500-million-dollars (US), a source told The Canadian Press early Monday morning. The deal, which is pending a physical, was also being reported by Sportsnet, ESPN and The Athletic. Meanwhile the Blue Jays, with a 5-5 record after being swept in a three-game weekend series against the host New York Mets, open a four-game series today in Boston against the Red Sox. Left-hander Easton Lucas will get the start on the mound for the Jays, while the Red Sox counter with right-hander Richard Fitts.

#9 – Not sure I’ll ever fully get into March Madness, either Womens or Mens. Florida meets Houston Monday night for the Mens crown in the Alamodome while apparently the Women’s final went on Sunday? I dunno, there was too much going on in my own sphere. Hockey, football & baseball are enough for me!

#10 – The anniversary of the worst day in Saskatchewan history passed on Sunday with appropriate acknowledgement. The Humboldt Broncos bus accident occurred on April 6, 2018 and we need to observe that day till the end of time. Just remember that along with the 16 people killed on that road trip, 13 others survived but their lives were changed forever. And there are countless more who were not on the bus whose lives are forever negatively impacted as well (Christine Haugan, Chris Beaudry, victims’ families, etc.) We will continue to get through it together …

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
RP
@rodpedersen

(With files from the Canadian Press)