TRUTH & RUMOURS
However this time another sellout crowd of 6,484 went home disappointed as the Pats let a late lead slip and wound up losing 5-4 in overtime to the visiting Swift Current Broncos.
The atmosphere wasn't as electric as Friday when the Pats pounded those same Broncos 7-0, but it was exciting nonetheless. Some fans left the arena discouraged, lighting up my phone with messages like, "The Pats are in trouble!" or "Four losses in the last seven games!"
I prefer to put a positive spin on it, pointing to the fact the loss snapped a three-game win streak, and Regina collected three of a possible four points off a division rival this weekend.
Regina has 11 games left to set a franchise record for wins at 50. They're currently at 44.
2 - As Box Office Don said last week, "It's just like the Riders! The Pats win a few and people go crazy and when they lose a few, people still go crazy."
We're here to fan the flames either way.
I'm sure Pats Head Coach & GM John Paddock would prefer a little downtime for his weary club which last week wrapped up a stretch of six games in six different cities in just nine nights. However now they're in the middle of a 5-game homestand which continues Tuesday when the Lethbridge Hurricanes come to town (7:00 pm on 620 CKRM).
It seems dizzying and a blur from the outside so I can't imagine how it looks from the inside.
As powerful as the Pats have looked all season long, it seems now like they're teetering a bit due to some untimely injuries. They clinched a playoff spot long ago but any playoff match-up right now would be a knee-knocker.
That's what makes this so exciting! It's impossible to predict how this is all going to turn out.
3 - We found out somewhat by accident that the CFL's Board of Governors is convening in Arizona this week for their annual meetings. Since we don't know what's on their agenda, we'll spend some time on Monday's SportsCage on 620 CKRM playing the role of Governors, and examining what pressing issues are currently facing the CFL and how we'd handle them. Fire away in the Comment section what YOU think should be on the agenda.
4 - Toronto Argonauts fans have to be breathing a sigh of relief that - if what Sportsnet's Arash Madani is saying is true - the Argos will introduce Jim Popp and Marc Trestman as their General Manager and Head Coach respectively on Tuesday.
Just last week I saw Argo fans on Facebook breathing fire, trying to plan a protest out front of the MLSE offices due to a lack of action on the hiring front.
Now, the Argos seem to have knocked it out of the park landing the finest duo imaginable.
The naysayers are saying this could've been done a few months ago but that's a flimsy argument. Who knows what possible roadblacks prevented this from happening earlier?
Frankly, Argos President Michael Copeland should take a bow after facing a barrage of criticism. A few weeks ago I'd written in this space that Copeland's approach was "unorthodox", but I wasn't prepared to pile on like so many were doing.
Tuesday promises to be a very exciting day for football in Toronto, again, if Madani's report is true.
5 - A very interesting report surfaced last week that the Aquilini family - owners of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks - are "kicking tires" on the possible purchase of the B.C. Lions from David Braley. Vancouver Province columnist Ed Willes points out the Lions brand has deteriorated significantly since the franchise's last Grey Cup title in 2011, and the time is rype for a sale.
This scenario is also worth some discussion on the SportsCage on Monday because I'm not convinced that these huge sports conglomerates (like the Leafs/Raptors/Toronto FC/Argos or Flames/Stampeders/Roughnecks/Hitmen) are the best way to go.
You'd have to ask some of the employees of the Stampeders or Argos how it's worked out for them. I'm sure you'd get varying reports.
Don't forget a few years back the Saskatchewan Roughriders briefly discussed the notion of purchasing the Regina Pats however the $7-million pricetag scared them off.
There's something that just doesn't seem right about one ownership group controlling all of the sports teams in one city.
The Calgary product gave absolutely every ounce of what he had during his time with the Roughriders, and emerged with a pair of Grey Cup rings and likely a spot in the Plaza of Honor. Now it's over.
His former teammate Luc Mullinder said on Friday's SportsCage that, "Bestie could've played in any era", referring to his hard-nosed, no-nonsense style. Riders Assistant V.P. of Football Operations Jeremy O'Day said at Thursday's news conference that very early on he could tell, "Chris had the work ethic to be successful at this level."
Talent will get you to the CFL, but your work ethic will keep you there.
I often think that many fans would love to live the rock star life of a Roughriders player, but few would be willing to put in the hours and sweat that's required.
7 - Since Best was a member of both the 2007 and 2013 Grey Cup champion Rider teams, I asked him on Thursday who'd win a game between the two. He'd clearly never been asked that question before, and after thinking for a few seconds, he said the 2013 club had more talent but the 2007 squad was "a team of destiny." He never really answered the question but reading between the lines, I think he was leaning towards the 2007 team.
I'd have to agree. The 2013 Roughriders were a collection of All Stars and they deserve every one of the accolades they've received, but the 2007 Riders had, in my opinion, more heart.
2007 it is, IMO.
8 - As I write this, Ontario's Rachel Homan just won the 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts championship, 8-6 in an extra end over Manitoba's Michelle Englot. What a nail-biter! However Michelle did both Manitoba and Saskatchewan proud. Hopefully she's back at the Scotties next year, even if it's by representing the Buffalo.
We didn't see all of the Scotties final because we were busy binge-watching Suits on Netflix.
Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? (shakes fist).
9 - There aren't many Arizona Coyotes fans reading this but any fan of the team had to be disheartened at Sunday's trade which shipped star Martin Hanzal and grinder Ryan White to Minnesota for draft picks (including a 2017 first-rounder). It's clearly the best move for the future of the Coyotes, but Hanzal joins Antoine Vermette and Mikkel Boedker as franchise stars who've left for greener pastures. These perennial rebuilds are tough for any team, but particularly for one which continues to spin its wheels in a worn-out market like Arizona.
Coyotes captain Shane Doan was visibly irritated by the trade in Sunday's postgame interview, and the clip is making the rounds on North American sports TV networks.
10 - Henry Burris will be the keynote speaker at this year's Regina Thunder Dinner of Champions on Friday, May 26 at the Delta Regina. It's going to be great to have Smilin' Hank back in his former home and maybe now that his career is over, he'll open up to some of the many stories he's been mum on for years. (Like the circumstances surrounding his 2005 departure from the Roughriders). For tickets, visit the Thunder website at www.reginathunder.ca.
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THAT'S ALL! SEE YOU ON THE RADIO AT 4
RP
@rodpedersen
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