Friday thoughts

Hurry up weekend, hurry hard!

• The J-man and I are headed up to Saskatoon this weekend for a lacrosse tournament. I'm proud to report the boy scored his first ever goal in league action last night. Season one is a success thus far.
• Did you catch the carnage towards the end of this week's edition of Locker Talk on Access 7? Our two guests from High Impact Wrestling got into a physical confrontation at the end of the interview. Intense!
• If you missed it, you can always check it out on Access' On Demand service. Not an Access customer? Then I guess you can't!
• Who do you like in game seven of the NHL playoff series between the Rangers and Capitals?  I can't stand New York coach John Tortorella, so I'll be cheering for the Caps, I suppose.
• Whatever happens, there will be at least one team from a non-traditional hockey market (L.A. or Phoenix) in the Stanley Cup final. Somewhere Gary Bettman is touching himself inappropriately in glee.
• I understand why people are upset about Ron MacLean's ill-advised comments (comparing hockey players to 9/11 first responders) on Hockey Night in Canada this week. 
• I think the idea was well-intentioned, but somewhere between Ron's brain and his mouth things went completely haywire. It happens. Apologize and move on.
• Football players born in 1997 or 1998, or their parents, will want to check this out.  It looks like an exciting opportunity for some young players to showcase their skills.
• Check out this story about the CBC news reader who built a flight simulator in his basement! Now you know one of the big differences between the CBC and private broadcasters. When I worked in private radio, I could barely afford a plane ticket, much less a freakin' flight simulator!
• Do I wish I had a flight simulator in my basement? Well...yeah!
• If I promise to do some cardio at the hotel gym in Saskatoon, can I enjoy some guilt-free Fuddruckers this weekend? Let's find out!

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

Okay, this week the emphasis will be on positivity...unless somebody really pisses us off!

Cheers

• Saskatchewan Roughriders. Maybe they didn't absolutely need another offensive lineman, but they made a hometown boy's dreams come true by selecting Ben Heenan first overall in the CFL draft. And I loved the decision to make the announcement in Saskatoon.
• London Knights.  My hometown team is one win away from a trip to the Memorial Cup. Go Knights!
• Dale Hunter. The co-owner/head coach of the Knights took over as bench boss of the dysfunctional Washington Capitals mid-way through the NHL season, and now has his team one win away from the east final. 
• Regina Automotive Warehouse. I won this month's draw for $200 in free gas. Next month it could be you!

Jeers

• The latest proposal for a new stadium in Regina.  Sorry, but building a 33,000 seat open air stadium at Evraz Place feels like settling to me. We can do better. 
• Narrowly escaping damage to life and limb when High Impact Wrestling hooligan Bull Bodnar attacked the legendary King Kash at this week's taping of Locker Talk on Access 7. Tune in tonight at 6:00 to view the carnage!
• Redneck hillbilly losers. I heard/saw an inbred hick shout a racial slur at a young black man while I was stopped at a light yesterday.  It saddens me that crap like that still happens in this day and age. I hope Cletus drives his ridiculously jacked-up pickup off a cliff.

Locker Talk lineup for May 8

Here's the lineup for this week's show.  Tragically, we're pre-empted by WHL playoff action tonight, and by the Royal Bank Cup on Saturday.  So, this week's show will only air Thursday at 6 p.m.  Set your pvr, you don't want to miss it - we have top quality guests this week, with the potential for on-air carnage when our friends from High Impact Wrestling invade (trash?) the set for the final interview segment!

Locker Talk Guests for May 8/12

Co-host:  Mitchell Blair

 1.   The Regina Riot prepares for the Western Women’s Canadian Football League season opener this weekend in Saskatoon. Guests:  Jon Baxter (Head Coach) & Pam Grzyb (OL).

2.   Regina’s Amber Holland recruits new teammates, and gets ready to take another run at a women’s curling championship next season. Guest: Amber Holland (Skip).  

3.   Regina’s Jason Clermont retires from professional football after a ten year CFL career.  Next stop, Hall of Fame? Guest: Jason Clermont (Retired CFL slotback).

4.   A preview of the annual Football Saskatchewan Senior Bowl for graduating high school players, plus an overview of the minor football scene across the province. Guest: Mike Thomas (Football Saskatchewan Technical Director). 

5.   A preview of the May 12^th “Devil Inside” card put on by High Impact Wrestling in Regina.  Guests: King Kash & Bull Bodnar (HIW Wrestlers).

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

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

I better make this quick, so I don't miss the planning committee meeting for the Stanley Cup parade in downtown Toronto.  It's always good to be prepared!

Cheers

• Congrats to Regina product Ben Heenan. The U of S offensive lineman will be selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the 1st pick of today's CFL draft.
• Regina Minor Football.  I couldn't sleep the other night, because I was excited about our (pee wee Unicorns) plans for the upcoming season.  Granted, that may indicate I need a life, but still!
• London Knights. It's nice to have a hockey team to cheer for this late in the season! My hometown junior team is four wins away from an OHL championship and a berth in the Memorial Cup.

Jeers

• The (lunatic) fringe portion of the fan base that is up in arms over the design of the Saskatchewan Roughriders' new jerseys.  I don't mind them.  But even if I did...well, it's just clothes.
• Has sunshine been outlawed for the spring of 2012? Is this the price we pay for a (relatively) short and mild winter? Enough already!
• Having to write a cheque for many, many Canadian dollars to the Canada Revenue Agency. Interestingly, the cheque was mailed, processed and cashed in five days. And yet, income tax refunds seem to take a little longer. Imagine!

Locker Talk lineup for May 1

Here's the lineup for this week's show.  This weekly cornucopia of local sports delights airs tonight at 9 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon. We thank you in advance for your patronage!

Locker Talk Guests for May 1/12
Co-host: Mitchell Blair

1. A preview of the Regina Thunder football club’s annual spring camp. Guests: Erwin Klempner (Thunder Head Coach), Mark Ingram (DB) & Trevor King (OL).

2. A report on the two day spring minicamp held by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Reporter: Arielle Wood.

3. City Hall plans to do more with less when it comes to tennis facilities in Regina. Guest: Janine Daradich (City of Regina Infrastructure Strategy Coordinator).

4. Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month (Highlight package for April).

5. A preview of the 7th annual Oskana Cup hockey tournament. Guest: Shelley Lavallee (Oskana Minor Hockey Development Inc.).

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