Trivia aside, Memorial Cup has been a treat
Robservations ...
I would like to begin today’s column, which is suitable for framing, with some hard-hitting, groundbreaking, award-winning journalism.
However, that is inconceivable, so I would just like to fluffily point out what great fun it has been to watch and cover the 100th Memorial Cup. (I am really looking forward to covering the 200th Memorial Cup.)
The same sentiment applied 17 years ago, when Russ Parker, Brent Parker and everyone involved with the host Regina Pats helped to put on a fabulous show.
One of many highlights from the Memorial Cup: An opportunity to catch up with the great broadcaster Peter Loubardias. Nobody is more passionate or knowledgeable about majorjunior hockey, or the sport in general. He is equally happy at an NHL or atom Tier 3 game. As long as he is in a rink, life is good and the laughs are endless.
A rare lowlight in the 100th Memorial Cup: The trivia contest that includes questions about, er, tires. Lame. (That was a rubberservation.)
More nitpicking: Starting some Memorial Cup games at 8 p.m. is a horrible idea. How does that encourage families to attend? How do viewers in Ontario, Quebec or the Maritimes stay awake until the end if they have to work in the morning ?
Any misfortune a team encounters at a Memorial Cup should not diminish the perception of the season as a whole. Keep in mind that three teams — the Swift Current Broncos (WHL), Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) and Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) — won a league championship to advance to the big show. In many other leagues, such as the NHL, a league championship is the pinnacle. Once a team reaches the Memorial Cup, especially with the inclusion of a host team that is often well-rested, everything else is gravy.
I love watching AcadieBathurst, which is to compete in Sunday’s final. The Titan isn’t loaded with big names, or players with big numbers, but the Mario Pouliot-coached team plays an attacking style and can skate all day.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders should retire No. 4 as a tribute to two Grey Cup-winning quarterbacks — Darian Durant and Kerry Joseph — who, back in 2006, were acquired in the same trade.
Big news: The Regina LeaderPost’s Rider Rumblings video podcast is now accessible via iTunes. Each week, the podcast includes this scribbler, LeaderPost football writer/foodie Murray McCormick, and a special guest. The special guests so far — Arielle Zerr and Michael Ball — have lived up to the description. Next week: Steve Mazurak. The week after that: Darrell Romuld.
Our man Murray had the tidbit of the year last weekend, when he reported that Roughriders defensive end Rakim Cox tweaked his back while tying his shoes on Sunday. He was “knot” able to participate in the subsequent workout.
Best sports injury of all time: Former San Diego Padres third baseman Chris Brown missed three games in 1988 with a bruised tooth root.
In this day and age, with so much technology at everyone’s fingertips, how is it possible for every CFL pre-season and WHL playoff game not to be televised?
Stanley Cup prediction: Vegas Golden Knights over Washington Capitals in six games. Never, ever bet against a team that employs Kelly McCrimmon.
Nice people who deserve a plug: Jacob Wassermann, Guy Lafleur, Phil Pritchard, Maxime Blouin, Paul Krotz, Taylor Rocca, Shawn Mullin, Dan Palsson,
Brad Martin, Deborah Martin, Ashley Martin, Judd Stachoski, Carmelle Ottenbreit, Michael Ball, Cliff LaPlante, Jennifer Graham, Chloe McEachern,
Chris Strand, Amanda O’Connor, Rohan Priebe, Rylan Hildebrand, R.J. Broadhead, Sam Cosentino, Stuart Skinner, Daniel NugentBowman, Les Lazaruk, Dave Roberts, Cliff Mapes, Darrin Oremba, Peter Loubardias and Darren Dupont.