The Monday Morning Goalie For SUDS
Truth & Rumours For SUDS Car Wash
1 – HATS OFF CANADA: If you’re gonna lose out in the playoffs, you want it to be to the eventual champion right? That may be the case in the World Baseball Classic where USA is off to Tuesday’s championship final after Sunday’s semifinal thriller in Miami, beating the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a game that went down to the final out. Meanwhile Friday’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal between Canada and the USA in Houston was the biggest game in Baseball Canada’s history. It was the first time Canada had even made the playoffs in the 21-year old event and although they lost 5-3 to the Americans, they provided a stiff test and were a threat in the late innings. Blue Jays great Ernie Whitt has been Canada’s manager in every one of these MLB-sponsored events dating back to 2006 and going into the quarterfinal, Whitt said “It’s been a long road”. That quote hit me in the *feels* because for anyone who’s traveled a long road to finally see a beautiful destination, it’s an indescribable feeling. Way to go Ernie! Canada is going in the right direction. By the way, I always thought Ernie was Canadian. Turns out he’s from Detroit but he told me once, “Basically Canadian”.
2 – SPEAKING OF: There are more Canadians playing NCAA baseball than ever before and Little League Baseball across the country has seen a serious spike in registration this spring, those in-the-know tell me. For the latter, I’d have to credit the Blue Jays’ World Series run from last October. When the Raptors won the NBA title, basketball registration spiked. During the Roughriders’ Decade of Decadence, minor football sign-ups mushroomed across the province. Are you seeing a pattern???
3 – A NEW KING: Anze Kopitar become the all-time leading scorer in Los Angeles Kings history on Saturday, scoring twice in the Kings’ 6-4 loss at the New Jersey Devils. Marcel Dionne (1,307 points) had been the Kings franchise scoring leader since 1981. I care less about Kopitar and more about the “Little Beaver”, Dionne, who provided a key memory in my hockey-loving childhood. In September of 1986 the L.A. Kings played the Canadian Mens National Team in the Regina Agridome and to the Kings’ credit, they didn’t dress a lineup of stiffs. I’da been 13 years old in the stands that day, and watched in amazement as Marcel Dionne, Tiger Williams and a rookie named Luc Robitaille twirled around the Agridome ice in their home yellow jerseys with purple trim emblazoned with the crown logo. Afterwards they signed autographs downstairs and Tiger was wearing a gray houndstooth blazer. Memories.
4 – MATTHEWS/GUDAS: Has there been a more talked-about hit than Radko Gudas on Auston Matthews late last week? Yes, it was “dirty” as labelled by Leafs coach Craig Berube but a five-game suspension for Gudas seems adequate in this pundit’s eyes. Things move fast out there, and it wasn’t a deliberate attempt to injure Toronto’s captain, even though Matthews will now miss the rest of the Leafs’ pitiful season. It was entertaining to watch the pitchfork & torch mob of Toronto media lobby for a longer suspension for Gudas, or a prison sentence, but the NHL’s Department of Player Safety wasn’t swayed. That’s a very good thing.
5 – JODY SHELLEY: The Columbus Blue Jackets rolled through Sunrise last week and I had the good fortune to spend time with the latest, greatest thing on TV, analyst Jody Shelley, who provides colour commentary for the Jackets plus NHL On TNT and Prime Hockey. He said he watches our Cats N Bolts Podcast and initially I didn’t believe him, but he quoted some things we’d said and explained it’s the perfect 30-minute weekly recap of Florida hockey. After I picked my jaw up off the floor, Shelley said Thursday’s game was his sixth consecutive night calling hockey. He’s not just a beefcake, and I can see why he’s such a rising star. He’s a worker, resourceful, thoughtful and generally a very special person. I could go on but suffice it to say, I became a big fan.
6 – WAY TO GO BILLY!: The Western Hockey League announced Saturday that longtime Vancouver Giants radio analyst Bill Wilms has been recognized as the 2025-26 recipient of the WHL’s Bob Ridley Award for Media Excellence. Bill has appeared on WHL airwaves dating back to 1986, and has been in the booth with the Vancouver Giants since their inception in 2001. The original Winnipegger also has been a key part of Sportsnet and WHL On Shaw broadcasts, did colour commentary for the Seattle Thunderbirds for years, and is just an all around EXCELLENT human. Just don’t ask him about continental breakfasts!
7 – WHILE WE’RE AT IT: Ron Foxcroft will be awarded the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award in recognition of his tremendous impact on officiating in the league. The entrepreneur and former basketball official will receive the honour at the 2026 CFL Coach of the Year Celebration on March 25 at The Westin Edmonton. For over 30 years, Foxcroft and Fox 40 Whistles have honoured Grey Cup officials. Ron annually hosts a luncheon for the crew ahead of the championship game, presenting each member with a Grey Cup Officiating Ring for reaching the pinnacle of their profession. Foxcroft is a staunch supporter of officiating across multiple sports, including Canadian football, at the grassroots and amateur levels. (CFL Communications)
8 – SPEAKING OF PART II: Former CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie was named President and SEO of South Alberta’s Siksika Group of Companies on Tuesday. Ambrosie, who led the CFL for eight seasons, is the ideal person to lead the group said SGOC Chairman Romeo Crow Chief in a statement: “Randy is a purpose-driven leader with a proven track record of building strong organizations, aligning stakeholders, and delivering sustainable growth.” Congratulations Randy! I always liked the guy.
9 – RUSH HOUR: Don’t forget about the NLL! The Saskatchewan Rush have clinched a playoff spot after beating the San Diego Seals 10-9 at SaskTel Centre on Saturday night. Robert Church led the scoring with 3 goals and 2 assists. With the win the Rush improve to six straight wins at home, undefeated on the season. The team is back on the road on March 20th against the Toronto Rock. (With files from SaskRush.com)
10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: It’s hard not to get swept up in March Madness. … The cheapest ticket for Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic championship game in Miami is $393US. No thanks. … 1980’s poster girl Darryl Hannah is married to Neil Young. I repeat: Daryl Hannah is married to Neil Young. … Yes, I have too much time on my hands. … Pressure is a privilege. … Nobody cares who blocked you. Stop posting the screenshots. … Let’s normalize wearing headphones in public. … The General who plans ahead has the war already won. … This stowaway truly was sly as a fox. A red fox somehow slipped onto a cargo ship this week that traveled from Southampton, England, to New York, where the animal is now in the Bronx Zoo’s care. The zoo said Wednesday that the 11-pound male fox appears healthy after early examinations. It’s not clear how the animal got on the ship full of automobiles, which left Southampton on Feb. 4, according to the zoo. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the ship’s crew discovered the furry passenger while traveling to the Port of New York and New Jersey. Officials brought the fox to the zoo the next day. He’s estimated to be 2 years old. “He seems to be settling in well,” Keith Lovett, the zoo’s director of animal programs, said by phone. “He’s gone through a lot.” … AND HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?
Y’er welcome,
RP
