Monday musings

This is the way we post our thoughts, post our thoughts, post our thoughts...

• In the end, the B.C. Lions did what everyone expected them to do - beat Winnipeg comfortably in the Grey Cup.
• I have to admit, I found myself hoping the Bombers would complete their fourth quarter rally, and possibly take the game to overtime.
• Just think what sort of game Bombers receiver Greg Carr could have had it he actually battled for balls. He doesn't strike me as pro football's most intense competitor.
• On the flip side is Leos pass-catcher Arland Bruce III. Yeah, he's a bit of a douche, but he sure can play when he chooses to!
• Was that really Chad Kroeger fronting Nickleback during the half-time show? He cleans up well!
• Scratch Scott Milanovich's name from the list of potential head coaches for the Riders. The Argos have pried him away from Montreal to be their new bench boss.
• What does that mean for Jim Barker, the guy who currently holds that title?
• The Vanier Cup was the most entertaining football game I've seen in a long time, this despite a Hamilton (ptooey!) university winning the CIS championship.
• If McMaster quarterback Kyle Quinlan doesn't get a serious look from a CFL team, something is seriously wrong with the system.
  
• So, Bruce Boudreau is out and Dale Hunter is in as head coach of the Washington Capitals? Good luck to Hunter.
• I hope the loss of their head coach (Hunter) doesn't derail what has been a great season thus far for the London Knights of the OHL (ie: my hometown team).
• If Ovechkin and Semin didn't like playing for Boudreau, wait until they get a hold of Hunter, who is considered hockey royalty in Washington - not to mention one of the nastier SOBs to ever lace on a pair of skates.
• I'm thinking that relationship will be rocky from day one.
• 7 a.m. workouts are hard. Having a trainer pushing you at that ungodly hour just doubles the fun.

Friday thoughts

For better or worse, here's what is making that rattling sound up there:

• The B.C. Lions absolutely should be favoured over Winnipeg in the Grey Cup. The Leos are solid across the board.
• There's just something about that Bombers defense though. At the very least, they may make this a much closer game than many people thought.
• Prediction for Grey Cup MVP: Geroy Simon. Outstanding Canadian: Paul McCallum (yikes!).
  
• Would pending free agent offensive lineman Brendon Labatte (Bombers), the pride of Weyburn, look good in Rider green? Darn right!
  
• Don't look now, but another Weyburn product is starring on the o-line for the U of R Rams. Expect Brett Jones to be selected very early in the 2013 CFL draft.
  
• Have the Regina Pats come crashing back down to earth, or have they just hit a big-time bump in the road?
  
• The Pats need a win in Everett tonight to snap a five game losing skid. They visit Tri-City tomorrow night.
• Tomorrow marks the beginning of my three month tour with a personal trainer. Pray for me.
• I think it's time for Access Communications to step up, and start handing out an award for the Regina Amateur Athlete of the Year.
  
• Should that happen, my vote for 2011 would go to Amber Holland. (Or can she be considered an amateur since curlers play for cash prizes?)
  
• Feel free to offer your own suggestions!
  

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

As our American friends celebrate Thanksgiving, lets pause and give thanks for those who've earned a cheer over the past week. And perhaps issue a warning to steer clear of those who haven't.

Cheers

• Regina Northwest Wrestling Club. Kyle Dumont and company run an excellent program. The J-man is really enjoying his first mat grapplin' experience so far.
• Trevor Folgering. If he can get me eating healthy and working out regularly, he'll probably be able to claim the title of Regina's preeminent personal trainer. Miracle worker, more like it! We'll see...
• Advance Eye Care Center. They have my two year old reading glasses looking new again. And for free! What more does a guy want?
• Sidney Crosby. I'm not a big fan, but Sid the Kid couldn't have scripted a better return to active duty than a four point effort in his first game of the season.
  

Jeers

• Whatever cold or flu bug is making the rounds this week. Get away, I have stuff to do!
• Not having Sirius satellite radio in my vehicle for weeks, because of a defective part. Really? It takes that long to get a replacement? Nice.
• Incompetent people being put in positions of authority. Not a new or unique phenomenon, but annoying nonetheless.
  

Locker Talk lineup for November 22

Here's the lineup for this week's show. As per usual, it airs tonight at 9 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and will be available through the Access On Demand service. So many options!

Locker Talk Guests for Nov 22/11
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. A preview of a multi-province boxing tournament being held at Regina’s Lonsdale Boxing Club. Guest: Frank Fiacco (Lonsdale Club President) & Claudino Nelson (Boxer).

2. A Regina native gets back from the Pan Am Games, just in time to turn his attention to organizing the 2013 Grey Cup in Regina! Guest: Neil Donnelly (2013 Grey Cup Executive Director/Basketball official).

3. Our Man Carlo. Locker Talk movie reviewer Carlo Palazzo opines on another sports cinema classic from days gone by. This time: The Program.

4. The Campbell Tartans capture another city 5A high school boys volleyball championship. Guests: Calvin Toffan (Head Coach), Jeff Toppings & Liam Nystuen (Players).

5. A post-mortem on the 2011 season for the University of Regina Rams. Guests: Brett Jones (OL) & Brenden Owens (SB).

6. Access 7 Sports Highlights of the Month.

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

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

Really? It's been a week already? Well, alright then.

Cheers

• Jordan Weal. The Regina Pats sniper earned Player of the Game honours in last night's WHL win over a Russian touring squad. Invite the kid to the Team Canada junior camp, already!
• Aaron Rodgers. Is there a more fun player to watch in the NFL than the Green Bay Packers' quarterback?
• Amazon.ca. On-line retailers have really picked up their game in recent years. Their customer service has significantly improved and free shipping options abound. If I can get a chunk of my Christmas shopping done without dealing with crowds and disinterested sales staff, I'm in!
  

Jeers

• Dairy Queen (south Albert St.). I'm all for giving newcomers employment opportunities. But having the drive-through window staffed by someone who barely speaks (and clearly doesn't understand) English seems rather pointless, doesn't it?
• Occupy Regina. Since these folks obviously have lots of spare time on their hands, and have been removed from Victoria Park, why not volunteer for a few hours at a local charity?
• Toronto Maple Leafs. They lured me in with another promising start, and now appear headed for another winter of losing hockey. Damn you, ghost of Harold Ballard!
  

Locker Talk lineup for November 15

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. And don't forget, if you miss it (the horror!), it's also available On Demand to all Access customers. Bonus!

Locker Talk Guests for Nov 15/11
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. A profile of the University of Regina men’s volleyball team, coming off the first weekend sweep in recent memory. Guest: Drew Smith (Player).

2. The Riffel Royals capture another city 4A high school football championship. Guests: Rhett Freistad, Sean Mueller & Jack Komonosky. (Players).

3. Eng Segment. A profile of the sport of wheelchair curling. Reporter: Arielle Wood.

4. The O’Neill Titans celebrate a second straight city 3A high school football championship. Guests: Ashton Vien, Leiland Kolodzinski & Billy Gibbs. (Players).

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

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

It's been a while. Hopefully I remember how to do this. Keep in mind, you are welcome - nay, encouraged - to contribute your own entries for either list. So, here we go:

Cheers

• To everyone who ran in the just completed provincial election campaign. Regardless of their political stripe, I admire people who are willing to take a stand and subject themselves to public scrutiny.
• Ken Miller. Despite the 2011 horror show, Coach Ken rides off into the sunset as one of the classier individuals to ever patrol the sidelines for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
• Regina Pats. Chad Lang and Pat Conacher have done a masterful job building a playoff calibre squad. In fact, their plan may be a year or two ahead of schedule.
• Regina Minor Football. Congrats in advance to the recipients of Coach of the Year awards tonight, and to the board and dozens of volunteers for another successful season.
  

Jeers

• Dwain Lingenfelter. I was going to flip the NDP leader a one-fingered salute after he cut me off in traffic Monday afternoon. But why make his election night any worse than it was already going to be?
• Anyone involved in the cover-up of the sexual abuse of young boys at Penn State University. While we're at it, I hope Jerry Sandusky receives a little jailhouse justice, if you know what I mean.
  
• Occupy Regina. While I suppose I have to respect their willingness to take a stand, I would suggest the protestors vacate Victoria Park at least temporarily for tomorrow's Remembrance Day ceremonies. Is that too much to ask?
• My inability to wish my mom a happy birthday. A great lady would have been 79 today. I miss her.
  

Locker Talk lineup for November 8

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.

Locker Talk Guests for Nov 8/11
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. The Mustangs celebrate a second straight Regina Minor Football pee wee division championship. Guests: Deron Kuski (Head Coach), Brayden Kuski (QB) & Parker Filazek (LB).

2. The LeBoldus Golden Suns celebrate another city 3A high school girls soccer championship. Guests: Ben Leung (Head Coach), Sydney Langen & Kennedy Harvey (Players).

3. Elite Boxing News. Locker Talk boxing correspondent Moses B. Alli updates us on what’s happening in boxing circles in November.

4. A unique fitness facility will open in Regina in January. Just in time to tackle those New Year’s resolutions! Guests: Trevor Folgering (Co-owner, Optimum Lifestyle Center).

5. A profile of the University of Regina women’s basketball team. Guests: Dani Schmidt & Brittany Read (Players).

6. A profile of the University of Regina women’s volleyball team. Guests: Solveig Nilson & Michelle Sweeting (Players).

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

Locker Talk lineup for November 1

Here's the lineup for this week's show. It aired last night, and will hit the airwaves again Thursday at 6 p.m. It's also available on demand for Access customers. What a deal!

Locker Talk Guests for Nov 1/11
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. A review of the first season of harness racing at the new West Meadows Raceway. Guest: Glenn LeDrew (Saskatchewan Standardbred Horsemen's Association President).

2. A profile of the University of Regina men’s hockey team. Guests: Russ Neilsen & Adam McPherson (Cougars defencemen).

3. Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month. A look at local sports highlights from the month of October.

4. A young Regina athlete completes a cross-Canada canoe trek, and raises money and awareness for charity. Guest: Stephanie Robertson (Regina canoeist).

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