TUESDAY COMMENTARY – GET ON BOARD

(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98 FM & Rock 98.5 FM)

I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD PEOPLE WHEN THEY’VE SAID, “I ONLY GET INTO HOCKEY (OR FOOTBALL) UNTIL PLAYOFFS.”

HOWEVER IN RETROSPECT, I SORT OF GET IT. I ONLY GET INTO BASEBALL DURING THE PLAYOFFS BUT THIS YEAR, WITH THE BLUE JAYS OUT, I HAVEN’T WATCHED A PITCH.

BUT YOU DON’T REALLY NEED TO FOLLOW OTHER SPORTS ANYMORE BECAUSE THE SMART LEAGUES HAVE BECOME YEAR-ROUND. (YOU’RE NOT LEFT WANTING MORE OR LOOKING AROUND IN THE OFF-SEASON BECAUSE YOUR TEAM STAYED IN THE NEWS).

BUT WHAT I’M SAYING IS, FOLLOWING THIS NHL SEASON IS FASCINATING AND NOW’S THE TIME TO GET ON BOARD.

I’VE LONG SAID SPORTS IS A REAL LIFE SOAP OPERA AND THAT HASN’T CHANGED.

TAKE, FOR INSTANCE, THE NHL’S PACIFIC DIVISION WHERE OUR NEIGHBOURS THE OILERS AND FLAMES RESIDE.

IT SAYS HERE THE TOP TWO SPOTS WILL BE LOCKED DOWN BY VEGAS AND EDMONTON, LEAVING THE REMAINING TWO UP FOR GRABS BETWEEN THE FLAMES, CANUCKS, SHARKS, KINGS, DUCKS AND KRAKEN.

WITH THE OILERS OFF TO A HOT 2-0 START INCLUDING A WIN OVER CALGARY IN SATURDAY’S FIRST EDITION OF THE BATTLE OF ALBERTA – AND A BIG GAME LOOMING TONIGHT AT HOME AGAINST ANAHEIM – IT’S PLACED EARLY ADDED PRESSURE ON THE CALGARY FLAMES.

SO THAT MADE LAST NIGHT’S FLAMES-DUCKS GAME ALL-THE-MORE INTERESTING, AND IT WAS ONLY CALGARY’S HOME-OPENER! THE FLAMES OUTSHOT RYAN GETZLAF’S CREW 43-27 BUT LOST 3-2 IN OVERTIME, AND REMAIN WINLESS TO START THE YEAR.

I’M HEADING INTO CALGARY TODAY FOR A 3-DAY STINT AND AM EXPECTING THE TEMPERATURE TO BE HOT.

HEY, YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG WITH THIS UNFOLDING STORY WITH THE REST OF US, OR DON’T.

I’VE JUST NEVER KNOWN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED IN UNTIL PLAYOFF TIME IN CANADA.

THAT’S TODAY’S ROD PEDERSEN COMMENTARY