Locker Talk lineup for September 27

My football coaching duties prevented me from attending last night's taping. So, that pretty much guarantees it'll be the best show ever! Once again this week, Locker Talk airs tonight at 9 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. on Access channel 7.

Locker Talk Guests for Sept 27/11
Hosts: Mitchell Blair & Carlo Palazzo

1. The Riffel Royals have established themselves as the team to beat in Regina High School (4A) football this season. Guests: Mason Rossler (Royals running back), Matt Knight (Offensive Lineman) & Tyler Hogan (Assistant Coach – Defense).

2. A preview of the 2011 Regina Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Guests: Darrell Davis (RSHF Director) & Gary Frank (2011 RSHF Inductee).

3. A preview of the 2011/12 minor hockey season for Hockey Regina. Guests: Blair Watson (HRI Executive Director) & Geoff Thachuk (HRI President).

4. A preview of the 2011/12 Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA hockey season for the Regina Rebels. Guests: Doug Folk (Rebels Head Coach) & Nikki Watters-Matthes (Rebels Defenceman).

5. Members of Regina’s kart racing community get set to race at an event in Italy. Guests: Keith Miller & Garret Britton (South Sask Kart Club).

6. The Blair Necessities. Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Monday musings

Always nice to start the work week with a clean slate, so let's do some cleaning:

• I thought the Riders looked a little flat when they came out of the tunnel for their game against the B.C. Lions Saturday afternoon.
  
• But, I certainly didn't anticipate a 42-5 beat down! Who did?
• So, now the playoffs are a definite long shot for the Riders. Who would have expected that, after trips to three of the past four Grey Cups?
• The RMF Unicorns are gearing up for a rare mid-week matchup against the Razorbacks. We've been fortunate to play almost all of our games on weekends the past couple of years.
• Congrats to the U of Rams for posting their first win of the season, and to the Regina Thunder for running their winning streak to two games.
• A great start for the Regina Pats under new head coach Pat Conacher, as the Pats took both ends of a home-and-home set with Swift Current on the opening weekend of the WHL season.
• I don't think fans expect the Pats to be world beaters this season, but they do expect a competitive, hard-working team. So far, so good!
• Thanks to Carlo Palazzo for filling in for me on Locker Talk the next two weeks. Football coaching responsibilities are keeping me out of the broadcast studio (is that cheering I hear? Ouch).
• I have to admit, a person doesn't usually expect to encounter "roid rage" at Gold's Gym. What a weird experience that was.
• If this weather continues, raking leaves might almost be enjoyable this year. Almost.
• The Detroit Lions and the Buffalo Bills are both 3-0? Is this the NFL's version of bizarro world? Mind you, the Packers are also 3-0, so I have no complaints!
  

Locker Talk lineup for September 20

Here's the lineup for this week's show, airing tonight at 9 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. on Access channel 7 in Regina. Enjoy!

Locker Talk Guests for Sept 20/11
Co-host: Mitchell Blair

1. A profile of the University of Regina women’s soccer team. Guests: Nicole Westcott & Adrianna Bonutti (Cougars players).

2. A profile of the University of Regina women’s softball team. Guests: Mike Smith (Head Coach) & Tory Gillis (Cougars LF).

3. Our Man Carlo. Locker Talk’s resident sports movie reviewer Carlo Palazzo brings us his thoughts on another sports cinema classic. This time: The Fighter.

4. A preview of the 2011/12 curling season, and the Sandra Schmirler Curling Classic. Guest: Amber Holland (Team Canada Skip/SCA Executive Director).

5. A profile of the Campbell Tartans, the defending city and provincial 4A high school football champs. Guests: Evan Johnson (OL) and Ryan Warner (DL).

6. Regina’s resident NFL star Jon Ryan gets his long locks cut for charity. Video courtesy Seattle Seahawks.

7. A look ahead to the 2011/12 Prairie Junior (Junior B) Hockey League season for the Regina Capitals. Guests: Sandor Jerkovits (Head Coach) & Ryan Husband (Capitals forward).

8. The Blair Necessities. Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Monday musings

Just another manic Monday (whoa, whoa)...

• Don't look now, but the two hottest teams in the CFL's west division go head-to-head Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.
• The Saskatchewan Roughriders will look to run their winning streak to four games, while ending the B.C. Lions' four-game string of success.
  
• Both teams are capable of putting points on the board, but it'll be interesting to see how the Rider offense matches up against the Leos resurgent defense.
• Speaking of winning streaks, the RMF Unicorns' lost for the first time in three games yesterday.
• We'll try to get back on the winning track against the Razorbacks next week.
• Thumbs up to the atom division Gators and Badgers, who entertained the fans during halftime of the Rider game on Saturday. Coaches Stusek and Probe (ably assisted by the always stylish Gary "Chop" Bresch) have a couple of good-looking teams.
  
• Two games, and two wins for the Green Bay Packers. So far, so good.
• Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Newton has passed for over 400 yards in his first two professional starts.
• So much for the theory that he wasn't going to amount to much in the NFL!
• By all accounts, the Regina Pats have played some entertaining hockey during the WHL preseason. Let's hope it translates into an exciting winter for the fans.
• Is a playoff spot too much to expect for the rebuilding Pats and their new coaching staff? I would suggest not.
  
• From the world of junior B hockey, the Regina Capitals quietly (but effectively) cleaned house in the off season. That's what happens when a first place club bows out in the first round of the playoffs, apparently.
• The forecast is calling for a few more days of convertible weather this week. Bring it on!
• Looking for a killer workout? Try the UFC training "game" for the Xbox Kinect. Ouch.
  

Locker Talk lineup for September 13

We're baaaaaack! We kick off a brand new season of Locker Talk with this week's show, which airs tonight at 9 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. on Access channel 7. Tune in - it'll put some zippidy in your doo dah. For sure!

Locker Talk Guests for Sept 13/11
Co-host: Mitchell Blair

1. An update on the 2011 season for the Regina Thunder junior football club. Guests: Erwin Klempner (Head Coach) & Wyatt Catley (Thunder Quarterback).

2. The Regina Red Sox celebrate their first Western Major Baseball League championship. Is it too early to talk about a repeat? Guest: Justin Eiswirth (Assistant Coach).

3. Regina’s Lonsdale Boxing Club and Regina Boxing Club host boxers from Wales in a fundraiser at the club next week. Guest: Frank Fiacco (Lonsdale Boxing Club) & Don Owens (Bridgend Boxing Club).

4. The Regina Hockey Officials Association (RHOA) is hosting a recruitment night this month. Guests: Don McMillan & Keith Miller (RHOA).

5. Elite Boxing News. Locker Talk’s amateur boxing correspondent Moses Alli brings us up to date on what’s happening with the “sweet science” locally.

6. The Blair Necessities. Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Friday thoughts

It's a Friday and I have thoughts. That in itself is a great accomplishment, no?

• Andy Fantuz has been released by the Chicago Bears. Maybe, just maybe he'll be back in a Saskatchewan Roughriders uniform within two weeks.
  
• I think the Saskatchewan Roughriders just might upset the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic.
• If the defense can slap Buck Pierce around a bit, things could get pretty interesting.
• However, the Rider offense also has to contend with the league's best defense. Darian Durant has to get rid of the ball quickly, and accurately.
• If DD has a sub-par performance, the Bombers' defense may outscore the Riders.
• The RMF Unicorns take part in their own Labour Day Classic on Monday against Yorkton.
• Let's hope our season-opening two game losing skid comes to an end Monday!
• Our offensive coordinator may be a little growly tonight, as his Martin Monarchs lost 60-0 to O'Neill in high school action last night.
• Frankly, I'm just glad that the football program at Martin is still alive and kicking. That alone is worth celebrating.
• Wade Belak is gone too? What the hell is going on this summer?
• Three NHL brawlers gone within weeks of each other. Is there a connection, or is it just a horrible, horrible coincidence?
• The U of R Rams are favoured to win the Canada West conference in a preseason poll. The fun starts tonight against UBC.
• If you like football, you'll want to check out a Rams game or two this season. CIS football is good value for your entertainment dollar.
• The Regina Pats open the WHL preseason at home (Cooperators Centre) to Moose Jaw tonight. It's a battle between a rebuilding club, and one expecting to contend for an east division championship this season.
• Anyone been to that new Taste of Tuscany restaurant yet? Your reviews are welcome!