10 MIDWEEK THINGS

Photo: Lisa Lukye

1 - KILLER B'S: It'll be the Blues against the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final, a rematch of the 1970 NHL championship series. This is an iconic match-up for the National Hockey League. Everyone remembers the infamous "Orr goal" from that series, but how many know it ended in a Boston sweep? This one should go longer than 4.

2 - HOCKEY GODS: San Jose was getting every break from officiating through these Stanley Cup Playoffs but the injuries finally caught up with them. The hockey gods always find a way to straighten things out and the loss of Erik Karlsson, Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski proved too much to bear. Who knows if St. Louis will go on to win the Stanley Cup, but it would be a shame if coach Craig Berube didn't go on to win Coach of the Year. And Erik Karlsson is now once again the biggest domino in the NHL off-season.

3 - OIL COUNTRY: New Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland has been busy pruning his hockey operations department since taking the job a few weeks ago. Now it sounds like we're just days away from the next head coach being named. It's my belief that it will not be Dave Tippett but either way, we should know soon.

4 - LITTLE MONTREAL: The P.A. Raiders may have been 0-3 at the Memorial Cup and are now coming home, but they have nothing to hang their heads about. The Raiders rekindled a fire in a crazed hockey market that used to be known as "Little Montreal" due to their love for the team. And they should be decent in 2019-20. As yet, I've seen no prognostications that say the Raiders are going into the tank like Swift Current and Regina did right after their M.C. appearances.

5 - THE DROUGHT: All the hockey people and fans are talking about the 13-game losing streak by the WHL champions at the Memorial Cup. It dates back to the 2015 semifinal when Kelowna beat the Quebec Remparts. To me, this is a fad rather than a trend and there's no need to be alarmed. Reasons? Who knows but don't say the "style of play". The host Regina Pats made it to the MC final last year playing firewagon hockey. It has to be something but again, to me, it seems to be more of a fluke.

6 - RIDER CAMP: Looking at this Roughriders training camp roster, there seems to be a lot of talent at almost all positions. It says here that the 2019 Riders are a good team that could be a great team if Zach Collaros stays healthy. That's probably the same story for every team in the CFL West, but there's reason for growing optimism in the 306.

7 - IN THE HUDDLE: Your favourite magazine show on the Saskatchewan Roughriders returns Tuesday, May 28 on Access/Shaw TV across Saskatchewan. Marshall Hamilton and I will have weekly analysis on Canada's Team and it's going to be great to return to the airwaves! Meanwhile follow my social media accounts for another ecciting project we're launching soon.

8 - VLADDY: The miscommunication between Blue Jays GM Ross Atkens and skipper Charlie Montoyo over sitting out Vladimir Guererro Jr. on Victoria Day is the best illustration of the difference between the business side of a sports franchise, and the operations side. Coaches don't give a rat's butt about marketing. All they care about is wins and losses, and job preservation. Which side's right? They both are.

9 - FEAR THE DEER: Perhaps I was too early to dismiss the Toronto Raptors! Canada's NBA team is back on even terms with the Milwaukee Bucks after a 120-102 win in Game 4. I missed the game due to a book signing in Indian Head for Heart & Soul of the SJHL but it sounded amazing. If this turns out to be a homer series, the Bucks will move on to the final however if the Raptors can somehow overcome that and advance, it'll be fun to watch this country come off its hinges over hoops.

10 - RANDOM THOUGHTS: How is it that the NHL Network is available in the USA, but not in Canada? ... I would never throw a hat onto the ice. Those things are far too ecpensive. ... If you read 45 minutes per day, you should be able to finish one book per month. ... One phrase you don't hear anymore is "Save The Trees!" ... Millenials and the generation after them may be great at a lot of things, but one of them is not details. ... The CFL's winningest coach, Wally Buono, will be the guest speaker at Thursday's Dinner of Champions hosted by the PFC's Regina Thunder. For tickets, hit the Thunder up on Facebook. ... The carbon tac is costing me at lot more than $500 per year. ... Have a great week!

Y'er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen

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