Thursday Cheers and Jeers

First off, a thumbs up for the following folks, who have donated (or are going to donate) raffle prizes for the Atom Tier 3 Blackhawks hockey tournament in December:

• SaskPower
• Regina Pats
• Regina Thunder
• Regina Red Sox
• Capital Pontiac
• Prairie Fire Rugby
• U of R Cougars
• Gus Giannoutsos, Massage Therapist
• SaskEnergy

If you, or your company, can lend a hand - let me know! We're especially hoping to find someone to sponsor the cost of prizes for all the players at the end of the tournament. It's a write off for you, and a great treat for about 75 kids.

Now, the usual Thursday stuff:

Cheers

• Classic Landscape Company - not cheap, but they do good work.
• Lakeview Fine Foods - also not cheap, but a great choice for a quick grocery run.
• Hill Avenue Drugs - friendly staff, and they'll fill your prescription on the spot!
• Press Box Sports Bar - a great place for before or after the big game.
• Jersey City (Cornwall Centre) - great selection, and if they don't have it, they'll get it for you.

Jeers

• Walmart (Southland Mall) - two tills open at 6 pm on a Saturday? TWO!
• Eddie Bauer (Cornwall Centre) - it gets a little frustrating to see lots of good stuff on the Eddie Bauer website, only to find the local store never has any of that good stuff in stock!

That's my list. Who made yours this week?

SportZone lineup for November 17

Here's the lineup for this week's show, which aired last night and again this afternoon at 3 p.m. on Access channel 7:

SportZone Guests for November 17/09
Community Co-Host: Corey Matthews

1. (Event Profile) A preview of the upcoming Regina Golden Cup boxing event, to be held at the New Line Boxing Academy. Guest: Moses Ali (NLBA President).

2. (U of R segment) An update on the University of Regina women’s hockey team. Guest: Sarah Howald (Head Coach).

3. (U of R segment) A post-mortem on the 2009 season for the University of Regina Rams. Guests: Bjorn Person (Defensive lineman), Marc Mueller (Rams quarterback) & Perri Scarcelli (Kicker).

4. (High school segment - ENG) A report on the city 5A high school volleyball finals. Reporter: Brendan Pawliw.

5. (U of R segment) The University of Regina cross country team celebrates a successful conclusion to the 2009 season. Guests: Dale Wig & Eric Benjamin (Cougar runners).

6. (Event profile) A preview of the 2010 World Junior hockey championships, coming up next month in Regina and Saskatoon. Guest: Al Ford (WJHC Assistant G.M.)

SportZone trivia: When were the World Junior Hockey Championships last held in Saskatchewan?

Answer: 1991. Congratulations to Devin Malakoff, who correctly answered this week's question and scored himself a free medium pizza from Panago. It's just that easy, folks!

Monday musings

Really? It's Monday already? Damn!

• A good time was had at the Pats game Friday night, despite the outcome of the game (4-3 win by Moose Jaw).
• The Warriors - trailing 2-1 at the time - called a timeout about halfway through the second period, and kicked their game into a higher gear after that. The Pats did not.
• Good times at the Press Box afterwards with local legends Mitch Blair and Kelly Remple, the Access Comm Pats broadcast team.
• So, it's the Calgary Stampeders again, is it?
• Sunday's CFL west final matchup between the Riders and Stamps has the makings of a classic.
• Can the Riders hold off Reynolds, Burris, Copeland et al one more time?
• How loud will the stadium be? Let's hope the fans kick their game up a notch too!
• I may bring earplugs for the J-man, as it could (hell, it should) get that loud.
• That New England vs Indianapolis game last night was amazing. How can you not enjoy watching Tom Brady duel Peyton Manning for four quarters?
• Bill Belichek's arrogance cost his team that win. Going for it on 4th and two with over two minutes left in the game was a ridiculous decision, and a slap in the face to his defence.
• If you had to pick the NFL MVP right now, who would it be? Manning? Drew Brees? (this one hurts) Brett Favre?
• Attention Toronto Maple Leafs: It's just not working out between us right now. I think we need to see other people for a while. Go Blackhawks!

Friday thoughts

No animals were harmed during the testing of these thoughts:

• It's time to see for myself how much the Regina Pats have improved in the past few weeks. I'll see if I can squeeze in with Rod and Al in the CKRM booth tonight.
• How can you not get psyched for a home-and-home set with Moose Jaw?
• I guarantee the Moose Javians in attendance will be loud and proud tonight. It'd be nice if the Pats fans drowned them out for once!
• Is it too early to put up a few Christmas decorations this weekend? Not the tree, just a few smaller things around the house. Or is it too soon?
• It sounds like there are only single tickets left for the CFL western final next weekend in Regina.
• Would you go to a football game alone? I've done it, when the J-man bailed out (well, it wasn't actually him who bailed, but I digress) at the last minute. It's not the best scenario, that's for sure.
• I think I'll be cheering for the Eskimos this weekend. They've already beaten the Riders twice at Mosaic Stadium this season. NO WAY are they gonna go three-for-three!
• Seriously, can anyone stop the Montreal Alouettes?
• Hurray for Regina's Paul Woldu, who scored his first CFL touchdown last week. Paul plays defensive back for the Als.
• Well, it doesn't look like Toronto's NBA team will be a championship contender this year. Add the Raptors to the list with the Leafs, Blue Jays and Argos.
• With the Rider playoff game still not a sellout, and plenty of tickets still available for the World Junior hockey tournament, I've been wondering: Should Regina be considered a great sports town?
• Sure, the Riders do very well at the gate. But the Pats rarely fill the Brandt Centre, the Rams are lucky to get 2000 people to one of their games, and the other U of R teams average crowds in the dozens.
• Maybe this is strictly a CFL city. Which would be too bad, actually.
• Does every quarterback automatically suck as soon as they slip on a Chicago Bears jersey? Add Jay Cutler to the list.
• As a diehard Packers fan, I want to hate Brett Favre. He's a Minnesota Viking, so I should hate Brett Favre. But, yet...part of me wonders if he has one more magical run left in him. I may even hope he does. Damn, I'm conflicted.
• I hate Friday the 13th. I'm just sayin'.

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

Yes, it's another installment of the ridiculously popular Cheers and Jeers!

Cheers

• Campbell and Haliburton Insurance. Mel is always looking to save me a buck or two.
• 4 Seasons Sports Palace. I'm liking the new screens!
• Airport Health Professionals. They'll crack your back, and crack you up!

Jeers

• Applebee's (south Regina). A dishsoap aftertaste with my ginger ale tainted an otherwise enjoyable dining experience.
• Everyone who cast ballots in the RMF coach of the year popularity contest. No mercy for you next year!

It's been kind of a slow week. Got anything to add to the list?