WEDNESDAY RUNDOWN: SHOE THROWING, TIM PEEL & CFL PAYCUTS!

We got extremely fired up – as did the viewers – on Wednesday’s Episode #449 of The RP Show – Canada’s Daytime Sports Talkshow! Here’s the rundown.

• It was a first. RP and Dupes opened with The Warmup for Four Seasons Sports Palace and got so hung up on the first two points and never even got to the other four! Anyway here are the Quick Six show topics: 1) TSN’s Dave Naylor reports CFL players have been pitched a 20% paycut if the 2021 season starts without fans, and 2) The NHL fires referee Tim Peel for being caught on a hot mic admitting a “makeup call”. THE OTHERS: 3) The Raptors host the Nuggets Wednesday carrying a 9-game losing streak, 4) The Blue Jays’ injuries are mounting in spring training, 5) More on the SJHL season cancellation, and 6) NHL Notes: Vasilevskiy’s won 12 in a row for Tampa, the Flyers & Bruins are tied for the final playoff spot in MassMutal East and the Jets take on the Canucks tonight.
• RP mentioned that he sees both sides of the CFL paycut scenario. He quoted an agent who wondered if presidents, front office staff and coaches will be subjected to the same cut? Rod said this is the scenario and it’ll be up to the players to take it or leave it. Ironically during the show Hamilton Tiger-Cats DB Delvin Breaux announced his retirement so clearly he’s “leaving it”. The host would prefer the CFL attempt to secure more sponsorships to cover the payroll (similar to the NHL) but it’s the owners’ choice to pursue whichever avenue they please in order to get onto the field. The good news in this is it’s a step towards playing in 2021.
• Regarding NHL referee Tim Peel being fired, Rod and Moose Dupont divulged that “makeup calls” have been part of hockey for over 100 years and nobody has ever had a problem with it. What’s shocking is that the rest of the world doesn’t know about them? Rod questioned what happens the next time where a clear makeup call is made, yet the NHL’s already fired a referee for making one? He feels the NHL has painted itself into a massive corner. CFL alum/broadcaster Troy Westwood was watching and chimed in, vehemently disagreeing saying the players should decide the games and not officials. Rod said that he should “stick to football” and viewers went nuts on both sides. RP also related a story where Kerry Fraser said in an interview his officiating never dictated the outcome of a game. RP threw his sandal at the camera and yelled, “YOU’RE LYING!”
• Ottawa RedBlacks LB Don Unamba joined the show from Dallas, TX and when asked about the 20% paycut offer, Don said he just learned of it and isn’t prepared to offer an opinion until he knows more details. Unamba was on the coaching staff in the fledgling Fan Controlled Football League and went deep into the Atlanta bubble set-up, the league’s unique rules and it’s rapidly growing popularity. He said it was just great “to finally be back around football again”. Unamba turned Rod onto the league and viewers were fascinated with the stories and concept.
• In the Hour 2 second half kickoff, we continued the debate and Rod said he’s flabbergasted that former NHL ref Paul Stewart has come out in support of the NHL while Kerry Fraser has blasted them. RP asked if Paul Stewart ever made a makeup call during his career?
  
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: With the news we have now, do you feel there will be a CFL season in 2021? Yes Full Season, Yes Partial Season, or No? At press time, “Yes Partial Season” was leading.
• The radio voice of the Regina Pats Phil Andrews joined the show to discuss all these things as well as Tuesday night’s 8-3 Pats loss to the Winnipeg ICE. Dr. Phil agreed that it was a weird game. They discussed the high calibre of play so far in the East Division Hub Centre and how exciting the games are night after night. They also debated the hot start of Exceptional Player Connor Bedard, who’s carrying a 6-game point streak into Thursday’s game against Prince Albert.
• Wednesday’s show is available for viewing now on our Facebook & YouTube pages, you can catch the replay at 4:00 pm ET on Game+, listen to the podcast by clicking on the CONTENT tab at the top of this page or listen anytime to our 24-hour live audio feed at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive.
• See you at 12 pm ET/10 am CT Thursday on Game+ and YouTube/Facebook Live!

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