Ultimate sports weekend!

This is gonna be fun! Here's what Jacob and I have going this weekend:

1. Friday night - Regina Pats vs Medicine Hat Tigers. It's time for the Pats to start imposing their will on visitors to the Brandt Centre. Actually, it's overdue. Let's hope it starts with this game. It'll be nice to catch up with Rod Pedersen during breaks in the action. You may not have noticed, but he's a little busy these days :)
2. Saturday - Jacob has an indoor soccer game, then we return to the Brandt Centre for the Pats vs. Moose Jaw. Drew Haubrich will be filling in for Rod, so I'll get a chance to catch up with the "Droopy One".
3. Sunday - another scintillating 1st Communion class over the noon-hour, then the munchkin and I fire up the big screen for the Riders and B.C. Lions in the CFL West final. Geez, if the Riders win Jacob will think a trip to the Grey Cup is a regular occurence for the Green Machine. Ah, so much to learn...

Talk about a swinging bachelor's weekend! Hell, maybe we'll round up some hot chicks and really..................uh, never mind.

Karma's a bee-otch

I don't know why, but I've got this nagging feeling that Sunday's CFL Western final will be decided by a familiar foe. I can't shake the feeling that the game will come down to a field goal attempt by Lions (formerly Riders) placekicker Paul McCallum.

And we all know how it turned out the last time McCallum attemped a game-winning boot in a west final at B.C. Place. That would be the infamous 18-yard miss that helped propel the Lions past the Riders into the 2004 Grey Cup. More recently, McCallum's failed attempt at a punt single in overtime helped the Riders knock off the Leos 23-20 on September 24th at Mosaic Stadium.

Of course, in both cases, that was then and this is now. Just some food for thought, I suppose. But I certainly wouldn't be surprised if the outcome of the game comes down to the right foot of Mr. McCallum. Here's hoping karma prefers green.

Where'd that come from?

I have to admit, I thought the Saskatchewan Roughriders were going to be blown out of McMahon Stadium during yesterday's CFL Western semi-final. Let's face it, the Riders trailed 21-5 late in the first half, and their offense was..............offensive.

Cue the comeback, as Kerry Joseph hit Matt Dominguez with a touchdown strike with three seconds left on the clock. Then, Kenton Keith ripped off a 76-yard scoring scamper on the first offensive play of the second half, and the Green Gang was in business. Even Luca Congi picked up his punting, atoning for a dismal first half performance. And the defence was tremendous, harassing Henry Burris into serving up four interceptions and a fumble. The end result was a 30-21 victory for the Riders, and a sense of closure for any fans who were still lamenting the departure of Smilin' Hank to Calgary after the 2004 season.

So, now it's on the West final in Vancouver against the Lions. The Riders have already beaten the Leos three times this season. Is that a guarantee of success? Uh, no. But if I were a betting man, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Barrett's Boys advancing to the big show in Winnipeg in two weeks time. Should be a great week!

Show time!

Just a few hours to go until the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders lock up at McMahon Stadium. Sure hope the Riders don't repeat their recent post-season formula of falling behind early, and scrambling to catch up. That would..........what's the word I'm looking for? Oh, yeah - suck. Jacob's gonna miss some - or all - of the game because of a birthday party. What kind of parents schedule a kids' birthday party on the same afternoon as a Rider playoff game? I'm not from Saskatchewan, but even I know what a faux pas that is!

Last night, the Pats dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the Everett Silvertips. The Pats' lack of a bonafide sniper was highlighted in the shootout, as they sent three competent - but not scary - shooters to the line. All three were denied by 'Tips netminder Leyland Irving. Oh well, at least Yoda figured out where the post-game show was. That was a plus.

Well, whattya say we hit the gym before the Rider game? See you there?

GainerGate

I feel as though I'm the only person in Saskatchewan not worked into a frenzy over the great Gainer debate. In case you've missed it, the Calgary Stampeders have forbidden the Riders' mascot from patrolling the sidelines during Sunday's CFL west semi-final at McMahon Stadium.

Rider fans are up in arms over the perceived slight. Stampeders officials are sticking to their guns (presumably 22 caliber). Rodents everywhere are painting signs and preparing to march en masse.

You just know the players and respective coaching staffs are loving this. The longer the spotlight shines on the giant rat, the longer they can prepare for Sunday's game in relative tranquility. It'd be a brilliant PR move, if it was intentional. Geez, even Yoda is threatening to watch the game, to see what all the excitement is about. Well played, Gainer. Well played indeed.