Happy New Year!

Our New Years Eve entertainment in Cranbrook, BC.

Canada 5 USA 4 SO

Regina's Jordan Eberle was once again the Player of the Game for Team Canada in a New Year's Eve victory over the USA at Credit Union Centre.

Canada battled back from a 4-2 third period deficit to force overtime and the shootout.

That place looked totally rocking. Way to go Saskatoon! So now Canada gets a bye into the semifinals while the U.S. must now play Finland in a quarterfinal.

(Ebs photo courtesy Garrett Mitchell's Dad Glynn who was at the game)

Ice 8 Pats 4

CRANBROOK, BC -- So long 2009 and as far as the Regina Pats are concerned, GOOD RIDDANCE.

The Regina Pats' losing streak hit nine games with an 8-4 loss to the Kootenay Ice on New Year's Eve.

The Pats had a 1-0 lead after the first period on a Hampus Gustafsson goal but they allowed five in the second period and were down 5-2 going to the third.

Again, the mountain was too steep to climb. Gustafsson, Cass Mappin, Jordan Weal and Craig Orfino scored in the losing cause.

Newcomer Brett Martyniuk made his Pats debut in goal and was nothing short of sensational early but the irritating defensive errors in front of became too much to handle. It looks like he could be good though.

Regular goalies Damien Ketlo and Dawson Guhle are both out for weeks with injuries. Also missing in this game were Eberle, Teubert, Davidson, Bell, Borstmayer, Favreau and Hutt.

Here's hoping 2010 is better for the Regina Pats.

Happy New Year!

The 2009 Top Ten

Thanks for being patient -- it took me all morning to go through the past year on the blog and dig up what I feel are the Top 10 photos of 2009 here at rodpedersen.com. Most are out of my camera, and some are not. Please let me know your thoughts in the Comments section ... AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

#10. The artist's rendition of our new stadium in Regina on Saskatchewan Drive. PLEASE make this happen people..

#9 - My sensational Cindy on the golf course. That may be my favourite picture of her. This one was taken Labour Day weekend. Check out the necklace I gave her. It's the top of a Grey Cup ring.

#8 - Another one of my favourite people; former Rider Scott Schultz. A truly outstanding individual who is NOT shy of the camera.

#7 - This is Gary Player on the green at the Masters. Check out the Rider fan over Gary's shoulder.


#6 - Pats broadcasters Dan Plaster and me showing our support of the Moose Jaw Multiplex vote. Here we are in the broadcast booth of the Crushed Can.

#5 - This day will go down as one of the worst in history for Rider fans but DANG did McMahon Stadium look beautiful on that Grey Cup Sunday of 2009!

#4 - I took some flak for posting this one but I laugh hysterically every time I see it. Scott Schultz and John Lynch on the set of In The Huddle.

#3 - Speaking of laughing uncontrollably... Sorry Pete.

#2 - This photo generated the MOST discussion on this blog and around the province of any that were posted on here in 2009.

#1 - And you've gotta indulge me for this one. Meeting George Strait at Craven in July was truly the highlight of my life.

Hope you enjoyed the Top Ten!!

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CRANBROOK -- And while I have a minute, I'd like to reflect on 2009 as we close the book on another year.

As usual it was great for a lot of people but dreadful for others. For those who lost loved ones, I'd like to express my sympathies and hope for better things in the year and years ahead.

Skimming endlessly through the blog this morning, several things popped out at me. It was an explosive year on the Regina sports scene. Just going back through my notes, I noticed Mitchell Blair and CJME parted ways on January 14th. That's an anniversary "Scruffy" won't want to celebrate a few days from now.

The Monday Morning Goalie was born five days later. On February 2, Curtis Hunt was demoted to the AHL by the Ottawa Senators. That would prove to be ominous foreshadowing for the Regina Pats. The very next day, the Eric Tillman story broke and you can imagine how glad E.T. is to have this year behind him.

Several earth-shattering things would go on in the months ahead (in sports terms). Dale Derkatch and Terry Perkins were let go by the Pats and Hunt was hired a short time later.

The entire 2009 Roughrider season had its usual share of ups and downs and it was such a thrill being with them everyday. People just can't get enough of the Riders but right now in the winter doldrums, it's excruciatingly painful.

But, we have to be patient and also hope for the fortunes of the Regina Pats to turn around in the year ahead. The Pats were roughly 25-48-3 in the calendar year of 2010. It'll be fun seeing how this all turns out for the team in the months ahead and I'll have some thoughts on it in The Monday Morning Goalie.

Until then, HAPPY NEW YEAR and may 2010 be the best year you've had yet!!

Rod Pedersen

REGINA POOL HUGE SUCCESS

As the numbers roll in on the final day of the Regina Pool of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, all indicators point to another successful event for Regina.

"We were confident all along that our community would put on a tremendous show for the world and our results to date support this," says John Lee, Chair of Regina Host Organizing Committee.

With two pool games still to play in Regina on December 31, some of the early results include:

∙  65,000 tickets sold after 10 games, or roughly 87 per cent of total tickets available

∙  Three sellouts in the Regina Pool after 10 games

∙  Second largest gate ever for a World Junior Championship (both Regina and Saskatoon included), second only to Ottawa in 2009

∙  More than $170,000 worth of merchandise sold in Regina alone from Dec. 14-29

∙  More than $100,000 paid out in 50/50 draws at the Brandt Centre alone to lucky fans from Regina, Pilot Butte, Estevan, Broadview, Saskatoon and Taylor, British Columbia

"We have so many people to thank for their effort and hard work in making this event a success," says Lee. "This includes the host organizing committee, our business community, sponsors, suppliers, partners, Saskatchewan hockey community and the 800 volunteers who proudly represented our city and province in playing host to the world.

"We're receiving very kind feedback from visitors and all volunteers should feel proud of how they've made everyone feel welcome to our city."

Today's lineup features a first place showdown between Sweden and Finland at 1:00 p.m.

At 5:00 p.m. the Czech Republic and Russia battle for a spot in the medal round in the final pool game in Regina.

A Note From SGI

Saskatchewan Government Insurance asked me to post this as a reminder to Saskatchewan readers of this blog:

HAND-HELD CELLPHONES PROHIBITED ON SASKATCHEWAN ROADWAYS STARTING JAN. 1

SGI reminds all motorists that the new cellphone law will be in effect in Saskatchewan starting Jan. 1.

The law will prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cellphones to talk, text, email or surf the Internet while driving.

"In the new year, all motorists will have to adjust their driving habits to comply with the new hand-held cellphone law," Minister responsible for SGI June Draude said. "The best way to handle any call is to safely pull over on the side of the road to answer your phone or let voice mail pick it up."

Under the new legislation, experienced drivers will be allowed to use hands-free devices while driving.

New drivers, meaning drivers in Saskatchewan's Graduated Driver's Licensing program, cannot use cellphones of any type while driving a motor vehicle.

Drivers who are charged under the new law will face a penalty of $280 and four demerit points under the Safe Driver Recognition and Driver Improvement programs.

Pats Acquire Goaltender

Regina, Saskatchewan – With the injury to Damien Ketlo and the youth of the rest of the goaltenders in the Regina Pats system, the team today acquired 18 year old Brett Martyniuk from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a conditional draft pick.

The Winnipeg native is in his second year with the Americans and has a 1-1 record this season as a back-up with a 2.73 GAA and a shutout.

He was a teammate of Kyle Mulder with the Winnipeg Thrashers club that went to the Telus Cup finals in 2008.

Regina World Junior Fans

Photo courtesy Jeff Armstead.

Sbisa punches ticket to Vancouver Olympics

Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes are very proud to congratulate defenseman Luca Sbisa on his selection for Team Switzerland at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Sbisa is currently competing in the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in the Regina and Saskatoon as Team Switzerland's captain.

This means he will hold the unique honor of being a CHL player and representing his country in both the World Juniors and Olympics in the same season.

Christmas Holiday Rider Pride

Blog mailbag:

"Hi Rod,

Your mom suggested I send this picture to you for use on your blog. These are my daughters Dannika (left) and Mary (right) with Santa the day before the Western Final.

Hope things are going well,
Brady Shave"

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"Born to Chris and Shannon Marynowich of Edmonton a baby boy Jordy. Shannon whos orifinally from Yorkton has recruited Chris to be a big time rider fan, and as you can see in the pic, Jordy is well on his way. There is no better stocking stuffer then this.

Congrats.
From Rod, Trevor and his family and the entire Rider Nation."

Morning Briefing

We're Back At The Mission

The Regina Pats will spend New Year's at my favourite hotel and resort in the WORLD, the St. Eugene Mission Resort-Casino-Golf just outside Cranbrook, BC.

I'll likely post more photos but here are a few from this morning. It's kind of a dreary day here in the Rocky Mountains and it shows in the photos. But in the sunshine, it sparkles.

Check out their website at www.steugene.ca to see if it's a place you might like to bring your family sometime.

I bring mine here in the summer and to me, it's the greatest spot on the earth.
RP

Big Dub Trade

EDMONTON, AB- The Edmonton Oil Kings said good-bye to their all-time leading scorer Wednesday morning.

Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green made his second significant move this week by trading veteran forward Brent Raedeke to the 2010 Memorial Cup host Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for highly touted power forward Klarc Wilson and a conditional draft pick.

Team Canada At The Olympics

Forwards

- Patrice Bergeron, L'Ancienne-Lorette, Que. (Boston Bruins)

- Sidney Crosby, Cole Harbour, N.S. (Pittsburgh Penguins) Alternate captain

- Ryan Getzlaf, Regina, Sask. (Anaheim Ducks)

- Dany Heatley, Calgary, Alta. (San Jose Sharks)

- Jarome Iginla, St. Albert, Alta. (Calgary Flames) Alternate captain
- Patrick Marleau, Aneroid Sask. (San Jose Sharks)

- Brenden Morrow, Carlyle, Sask. (Dallas Stars)

- Rick Nash, Brampton, Ont. (Columbus Blue Jackets)

- Mike Richards, Kenora, Ont. (Philadelphia Flyers)

- Corey Perry, Peterborough, Ont. (Anaheim Ducks)

- Eric Staal, Thunder Bay, Ont. (Carolina Hurricanes)

- Joe Thornton, St. Thomas, Ont. (San Jose Sharks)

- Jonathan Toews, Winnipeg, Man. (Chicago Blackhawks)

Defence

- Dan Boyle, Ottawa, Ont. (San Jose Sharks)

- Drew Doughty, Ottawa, Ont. (LA Kings)

- Duncan Keith, Penticton, B.C. (Chicago Blackhawks)

- Scott Niedermayer, Cranbrook, B.C. (Anaheim Ducks) - Captain

- Chris Pronger, Dryden, Ont. (Philadelphia Flyers) - Alternate captain

- Brent Seabrook, Tsawwassen, B.C. (Chicago Blackhawks)

- Shea Weber, Sicamous, B.C. (Nashville Predators)

Goalies
- Roberto Luongo, Montreal, Que. (Vancouver Canucks)

- Martin Brodeur, Montreal, Que. (New Jersey Devils)

- Marc-Andre Fleury, Sorel, Que. (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Hitmen 4 Pats 3

CALGARY -- The game had it all: huge hits, great fights and nice goals but in the end, the Regina Pats played just well enough to lose and they were sent to their eighth straight loss courtesy of the #1 team in the WHL.

8845 fans turned out to the Pengrowth Saddledome Tuesday night and they witnessed a thoroughly entertaining contest. The teams traded goals midway through the first period with Craig Orfino scoring for Regina. However two goals in less than a minute late in the frame gave Calgary a 3-1 advantage.

Regina's Matt Strueby scored the only goal of the second period making it 3-2 Calgary after two.

The Pats pressed in the third but a gaffe led to the game-winning goal. While on the powerplay, Regina's Cody Carlson mishandled the puck behind his net and Calgary's Tyler Fiddler beat goalie Dawson Guhle on a wraparound to make it 4-2.

Strueby scored again with 1:44 left with the goalie pulled, but time ran out on the comeback.

Game over: Calgary 4 Regina 3.

The shots on goal ended up tied 25-25. Regina was 1/7 on the powerplay and 1/2 killing penalties.

It truly was a valiant effort by the Queen City Kids, but they came up empty-handed once again.

MOLSON 3-STARS: 1) Schaber 2) Strueby 3) Schultz. Taylor Toyota Hardest Working Pat: Strueby.

The Pats bussed to Cranbrook right after the game and will face the Kootenay Ice on New Year's Eve in Game 3 of the trip at 8:00 Sask time on 620 CKRM.

Pats Alumni

With L.A. Kings trainer Corey Osmak at the Saddledome Tuesday. Corey was with the Pats from 1998-2000.

Record Audience For Boxing Day Blowout

Preliminary overnight data from BBM Canada confirms Team Canada's 16-0 win over Team Latvia on Saturday, Dec. 26 at the 2010 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP delivered a national average audience of 2.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched World Juniors round-robin game ever recorded on TSN.‬‪

Team Canada's opening game at this year's tournament is also:‬‪

∙  The 3rd most-watched telecast on TSN in 2009, bested only by the 2009 GREY CUP (5.073 million viewers) and 2009 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Gold Medal game (3.7 million viewers)*‬‪

∙  The 5th most-watched World Juniors game ever on TSN‬‪

∙  The 6th most-watched program on TSN of all time‬‪.

Leave It To Beav

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are set to interview former team G-M
Brendan Taman. The CFL club has permission from Saskatchewan to talk to him about its vice-president of football operations vacancy. Taman spent 10 years with the Bombers before resigning last January.

(The Canadian Press)

HOT BUTTON TOPICS!

Message to Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan:

Regina and southern Saskatchewan has done its part. NOW DO YOURS!!

TSN's James Duthie (pictured) said the following in the 2nd intermission of today's 6-0 Canada victory over Switzerland:

"For the second straight game there are empty seats here in Saskatoon. It's something we're not used to seeing........."

What's the deal? Why is the Credit Union Centre not FULL??

----


From Greg Harder's Leader Post Slap Shots blog:

Pats GM Brent Parker was fined $500 for criticizing the officiating following Regina’s last game before the Christmas break, a 3-1 loss to the Hitmen.

Wildcats Win

The Swift Current Wildcats improved to 1-0-1 at the Mac's Midget AAA Invitational Tournament with a 3-1 win over the Lloydminster Steelers. 

Leanne Gerwing made 16 saves in her first appearance of the tournament.  The Wildcats were led offensively by Megan French who scored two powerplay goals. 

Bailey Habscheid had a goal and an assist while Jenna Smith added two helpers. 

The Wildcats next action is against the Calgary Flyers on December 29 at 8:30pm.

Please Help Jeremy's Auction!

Saskatchewan Roughriders team captain Jeremy O'Day is offering several items for bid on his online auction at http://www.jeremyoday.com/. Just click on AUCTION.

Up for grabs are autographed cleats from the Riders' Jason Clermont, Chris Szarka, Marcus Adams and Ray Williams.

All proceeds are going to Jesse's Journey, and to Jeremy's scholarship fund at Edinboro University, his alma mater.

Thank you!

Oil Kings Trade For Oilers Draft Pick

Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings mixed up their roster a bit coming out of the Christmas Break. 

Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green traded veteran forward Clayton Cumiskey to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for Edmonton Oilers draft pick Cameron Abney. 

Abney is an 18 year old right winger from Aldergrove, BC and was selected in the 3rd round, 87th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers.

The Monday Morning Goalie

MEDICINE HAT -- Welcome to the last Monday Morning Goalie of 2009! This column has been a weekly tradition going back to last spring and I'm happy it's become a mainstay.

And after a week off last week, we've got plenty to catch up on so let's get started:

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We'll start with the World Juniors because that's what everyone's talking about these days, then get into football before making our way back to hockey....

So far so good for Team Canada. Willie Desjardins' boys look unstoppable so far, with three victories in pre-tournament games and a 16-0 blowout of Latvia to open the round robin.

Next up for Canada is Switzerland today at 3:00 Sask time at the Credit Union Centre on TSN.

----

The 2010 Team Canada has plenty of intriguing stories. We're all watching for Eberle and Teubert of course, but that Taylor Hall is certainly something special.

Why wasn't Patrice Cormier suspended for the elbow(s) in last week's games?

I know for a fact Willy Desjardins wasn't happy with the cheapshot against Sweden. It'll be interesting to see if Cormier pulls something like that the rest of the way.

----

There's been PLENTY of talk about this year's tournament on the streets, in the coffee shops and watering holes.

Some Reginans are still miffed that Canada's round robin games and the medal round are all in Saskatoon and one committee member said to me "Wait until the fight between Calgary and Edmonton when the World Juniors are in Alberta!"

However I looked into that scenario and ANOTHER committee member told me that situation has already been rectified. Team Canada will play its round robin games in one of those Alberta cities, and then the medal round will be in the other.

Before you get your shorts in a knot about that, the reason is that both those arenas (Saddledome and Rexall Place) seat roughly the same amount so the revenue will be equal.

In Saskatchewan, Saskatoon got the better games because the Credit Union Centre is so much larger than the Brandt Centre which means more $$$$.

----

Say what you will about Team Canada's green jerseys, but they've been a marketing homerun.

I noticed on Hockey Canada's website that they're taking pre-orders for the jerseys because the initial order is soldout! You have to admit, they're a sharp looking uniform.

And as far as the P.R. goes, it's got people talking from coast-to-coast. Some of it's good and some of it's bad, but at LEAST it's got everybody talking.

Mission accomplished.

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For those traveling over the rest of the Holiday Season, you may want to know that Country 100.7 FM in Moose Jaw is carrying all Team Canada games on radio, except for December 29 when the Warriors are also playing that night.

FYI Moose Jaw Warriors play-by-play man James Gallo got engaged at Christmas!

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You might want to think about taking a road trip to Vancouver to watch the Riders in 2010.

Above is the artist's rendition of what the new (yet temporary) Empire Stadium in Vancouver will look like for this summer's B.C Lions games. The structure is being erected while B.C. Place gets a facelift, including a retractable roof.

This looks like a fun place to play, and not at all like the rickety temporary facility I had envisioned when these plans were announced.

Here's a timeline of football and soccer through the years at Empire Stadium courtesy Lowell Ulrich of the Vancouver Province:

- First Lions game: Aug 11, 1954
-First Grey Cup game: 1955. Total Grey Cups hosted: 7.
-First soccer game: Everton vs. Aberdeen, June 9, 1956.
-First Whitecaps game: May 5, 1974 vs. San Jose. First Vancouver Royals game: 1968.
-Most recent Lions game: Nov. 6, 1982 vs. Montreal
-Expected next Lions game: June, 2010, preseason.

----

Two members of the Roughriders have expressed interest in returning to Winnipeg for the 2010 season. Riders' offensive coordinator Paul Lapolice has told newspapers in both Regina and Winnipeg that he'd be interested in the Bombers' head coaching job while Rider assistant GM Brendan Taman says he'd be interested in the Bombers' Presidency which was vacated by Lyle Bauer.

In discussions with family and friends with eggnog around the fire over the past week, many have asked why anyone would want to join seemingly toxic situations in Winnipeg and Toronto. But the fact is guys like Lapolice and Taman would go anywhere that would advance their careers. A contract is a contract so no matter how bad things get, at least you're guaranteed your money.

And as of now, I'm not certain there's anybody out there better than these two guys to fill these jobs with the Blue Bombers.

----

The trial of Eric Tillman will begin on Monday, January 4 which is one day after we return from this current Pats road trip.

I haven't spoken with CKRM News yet about how we plan to cover the trial, but I'm certain a reporter will be parked in the courthouse throughout the entire proceedings. Because CKRM's website isn't entirely news-based, I'll post their findings here.

I also would like to spend as much time as possible in court, just as I did with the trial of Trevis Smith.

Will it be open-and-shut? Or will it drag out for weeks and weeks? No one knows, but as Eric told me recently, at least it's finally here and we'll have a conclusion before long.

----

During our last trip through Alberta just prior to Christmas, I had occasion to visit with a Calgary radio executive.

He informed me that the last ratings period showed CHQR 770's ratings for Stampeders broadcasts TRIPLED when they played the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

It leads you to wonder if CHQR would consider carrying ALL Roughrider radio broadcasts on their station? You know the ads would sellout if they approached businesses which were run/owned/managed by ex-Saskies living in Calgary.

----

It appears the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have got a fight on their hands in the months ahead. They fired coach Mike Kelly just before Christmas, a day after he was charged with simple assault and harrassment in Pennsylvania. They feel they won't have to pay out the remainder of Kelly's contract stating he was fired with just cause and that relates entirely to what went on in Winnipeg last year, and not his charges in the U.S.

He feels otherwise, and it appears he's going after his money.

Many people have asked why I posted the mugshot of Kelly, only to take it off the blog an hour later. The reason is simple:

IF Kelly gets back into football, I'd prefer not to be on his hit-list. Kelly stated in a recent interview that he's finding out who his friends are as he goes through this process. I don't profess to be a friend of Mike Kelly, but I don't want to mock him like many in the media have over the past few weeks.

Not to mention, the CFL coaching fraternity is a tight one and I don't need or want CFL coaches thinking I'd hang them out to dry too.

----

December was a quiet month with the Roughriders but things will heat up in January as the coaches return to their offices and we start to look towards the free agent period which begins February 15.

I'll be interested to get some face-time with coach Ken Miller and see if he's recovered from the 2009 Grey Cup. As devastated as you all are with how that game played out, Miller has to have taken it the hardest out of anybody.

Here's why, in part:

While listening to ESPN Radio the other day, they brought John Madden on for an interview and when they introduced him they simply said, "Super Bowl-winning coach John Madden. He's WON a Super Bowl."

That's all they needed to say. NOT that he was a Fox and ESPN colour analyst for 20 years, or that he has the highest winning percentage of any coach in NFL history but simply that he had won a championship. As a coach, once you have a championship on your resume, you can ride it and the credibility that goes along with it forever.

So Ken Miller's coached for over 40 years but was ONE fateful play away from netting his first championship in just his second season as a head coach in pro football.

Will he ever get that close again since he's near the end of his career? We all expect that the Riders will be back in the Grey Cup when it's played in Edmonton in 2010 but there are no guarantees. Everything will have to go right.

And now you know why Miller said that loss on November 29 in Calgary "will haunt us for as long as we're on the planet."

Shudder.

----

December became a little more newsworthy for the Riders than they'd hoped however.

When the news broke that Chris Getzlaf had signed a three year extension with the club, the Riders weren't too pleased it had come out so early. Methinks they had planned to announce it along with a string of other signings in the New Year.

Here's how it broke:

I think it was on the very day that Getzlaf had agreed to the pact that he mentioned it in the dressing room of his rec hockey team later that evening.

One of his teammates runs a CFL-related website and posted the news the next day. I then posted it, and away it went.

Innocent. And don't blame Chris for spilling the beans! He was just excited about the deal.

----

SOME will say that the Riders shouldn't be involved in recreational activities like rec hockey or basketball in the off-season for fear of injury.

However as GM Eric Tillman once put it, "Players have got to be allowed to live. We understand that."

----

The Regina Pats lost their seventh straight game last night, 5-2 in Medicine Hat. The game story is below.

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Regina Pats GM Brent Parker on missing stars Jordan Eberle and Colten Teubert during the 2010 WJHC.

"Obviously the teams in the CHL who supply the players to the World Juniors make a great sacrifice. A lot of teams are missing guys for eight, nine, ten games but it's certainly something we wouldn't do any other way. For the kids, the personal and athletic growth they gain is tremendous and they come back to us as better players and better people."

So are the Pats done trading yet?

"Haha. It's funny, that's a question I get a lot. I said all year that I liked our team before the deals and I like it better now. Once we get used to each other, I think we'll be just fine. We're all looking to better our teams but other than maybe getting a defenceman to add depth, I can't see us doing much more."

----

Sportsnet.ca columnist Mark Spector wrote a captivating piece last week about the Ottawa Senators' plight that they're being picked on by NHL referees.

Spector interviewed Sens GM Bryan Murray who looked up some statistical date to back up his claim. Former NHL ref Paul Devorski added fuel to the fire by saying referees USED to screw teams over, but it's hard to do that these days with every game being televised.

Here is Spector's summation:

"But another tenet of sport that is every bit as factual is this: when it comes to catching breaks, what goes around comes around. If you play honestly, work hard, and deserve some luck, you will get some eventually.

By blaming referees, Murray and coach Cory Clouston are cheating. On a team that took far too long to look inward as their dressing room fell into disarray over the past few seasons, here is Murray once again shifting the onus off his players and on to someone else."

----

You want statistical data?

The Regina Pats were a league-worst -44 in powerplay-penalty kill differential going into last night's game. They already have been assessed the most minors in the league, but when you factor in their powerplays awarded, no team gets more penalty kills and less powerplays than the Regina Pats. It's to the tune of negative 44. The next closest team is -26.

For the football fans, in your terms, it's like a team that has 20 takeaways and 30 giveways, which would make them -10.

Hmmmm.

Any idea why that is??

----

Lastly, that Greyhound bus trip from Regina to Medicine Hat on Sunday was eventful. See the photos below!

It was the first time since Christmas of 1990 that I bussed "commercially", and that one almost 20 years ago was eventful too. I shared a seat from Calgary-to-Regina with Assiniboia/Wood Mountain area saddle bronc rider Parker Koester. We got into the Christmas cheer a little early on that bus ride, and the driver threatened to make us walk. We weren't gonna hurt anybody, but I see where he was coming from.

The driver this Sunday was less than hospitable. In fact he was downright rude.

Also, the bus out of Regina was over-sold so they had to add another. We were over an hour late getting away. Then of course, we had to stop in every little town along the way but that's the norm. I just forgot about it!

The best part was the lady who sat beside me. She's from Meadow Lake and was going to the Hat to visit her son. Anways she's a HUGE Rider fan, and never misses In The Huddle on Tuesday nights.

She said they had the Riders' Chris Getzlaf and Neal Hughes and Kidsport's Andrew Greene up there for a speaking engagement and golf tournament last year. She told Andrew that if he failed to drive the ball past the ladies' tee, he had to drop his pants. He did it three times.

She didn't tell anybody else what she'd told Greene, but bet her friends she could get that big black guy to drop his pants before the day was over. She won three times!

----

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
RP

Tigers 5 Pats 2

MEDICINE HAT -- The Regina Pats dropped their seventh straight game, falling 5-2 to the hometown Tigers Sunday night. It was the opener to a four-game Central Division road swing, and the sixth of nine straight on the road for the Queen City Kids.

The Pats never allowed a shot for the first nine minutes of the game and Matt Strueby's 23rd goal of the season 7:12 in gave Regina the 1-0 lead. However the Tigers scored the next four goals in the game, back-to-back tallies from Bretton Cameron and singles by Scott MacKay and Tristan King.

With the Tigers up 4-1 in the third, Regina's Garrett Mitchell scored on the powerplay at 14:05 to make it a 4-2 game. The Pats cranked up the heat and pulled goalie Dawson Guhle, however the Tigers' Linden Vey iced the game with an empty-netter with 56 seconds to go.

Game over: Medicine Hat 5 Regina 2

MOLSON 3-STARS: 1) Cameron 2) Vey 3) Strueby. Taylor Toyota Hardest Working Pat: Garrett Mitchell.

STATS: The Tigers outshot the Pats 21-19. Regina was 1/6 on the powerplay and 4/4 killing penalties.

ROSTER; The Pats scratched Eberle and Teubert (world juniors), Bell and Borstmayer (world under-17s), Damien Ketlo (shoulder), Brandon Davidson (knee), Dominick Favreau (knee) and called up G Joel Danyluk and AP Tyler Pavkovich who made their WHL debuts.

UP NEXT: The Pats play game 2 of the swing Tuesday night at 8:00 in Calgary on 620 CKRM (Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 7:35pm).

The Drop-Off

Made it to Medicine Hat! Had the bussie drop me off on the side of Highway #1 two blocks from our hotel.

What a life!

Time to hit the ground running.
RP

Pats Game Night

Regina Pats (16-20-3-0) @Medicine Hat Tigers (21-11-2-4)

Tonight 6:00pm (7:00 Regina Time)
Medicine Hat Arena
6:35 Pregame Show 620 CKRM
No Television Broadcast

Head to Head:
This is the third of four meetings between the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Regina Pats. The last time these two teams met was two weeks ago at the Medicine Hat Arena.

The Pats kicked off their 5 game road trip with a 7-2 loss to the Tigers. It was a tight game until the Tigers broke a 2-2 tie mid-way through the second with a Mark Isherwood 5-on-3 power play goal. Jordan Eberle and Hampus Gustafsson scored in the loss.

Who's Who:
The Pats are without Jordan Eberle and Colten Teubert, who are both playing for Team Canada at the World Juniors in Saskatchewan.

Last Action:
The Pats played their best game of the road trip, but were not given any favours in a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Hitmen Friday, Dec. 18.

The power plays were 7-1 in favour of the Hitmen, but the Pats were fantastic, killing all Calgary power plays.

Dawson Guhle was stellar between the pipes kicking away 47 shots and was named the game's first star.

On the ice tonight:
The WHL gets back into full swing tonight with 7 other games, all 10 teams in the Western Conference are in action tonight.

Who's Playing "D":
The Pats patchwork defence continues to be a work in progress. Brandon Davidson is still out for at least a couple of more games with his knee injury, while three more defencemen: Colten Teubert (World Juniors), Myles Bell and Tyler Borstmayer (U-17's) are off to play in international tournaments.

Here is a rundown of who's in and who's out:
In: Matt Delahey, Cody Carlson (Returns from a knee injury he suffered Dec. 11th against MH), Travis Sparrow, Mitch Spooner and Hampus Gustafsson (who moved to defence during the road trip)

Out: Colten Teubert (World Jr.'s), Myles bell and Tyler Borstmayer (U-17's)

Added 'AP's':      
Landon Peel (94) (gp-27 4-g 11-a with Southwest Cougars of Manitoba Midget AAA)

Tyler Pavkovich (93) (gp-31 0-g 6-a with Abbotsford Pilots - PIJHL)

Next Action:
The Pats will continue their 4 game road trip through the Central Division on Tuesday night in Calgary against the Hitmen.

It's a 7pm puck drop (8pm Regina time) with a 7:35 pre-game show on 620 CKRM.

My Sunday Sojurn

I'm riding the Greyhound from Regina to Medicine Hat to catch up with the Pats before tonight's game with the Tigers (7:00 on 620 CKRM). The team went yesterday, but I stayed behind for one more day with the family.

As you can tell by this photo, you know where I am! 9:45am.
RP

Sunday Sports

Canada came out flying against overmatched Latvia in its opening game at the world junior hockey championship in Saskatchewan.

Gabriel Bourque of the Moncton Wildcats had three goals and four assists for Canada in a 16-0 whitewash. Next up is Switzerland on Monday, again in Saskatoon.

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Canada opened the Spengler Cup hockey tournament in Switzerland wwith a 7-6 shootout over the Czech team Karlovy Vary. Canada's
thrown-together national squad only had two practices for the tourney. They have Sunday off, and take on the host Davos club on Monday.

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Roberto Luongo made 24 saves, and Daniel Sedin had a power-play goal and two assists in the Vancouver Canucks' 4-1 win over Edmonton. Henrik Sedin had a goal and an assist, and Ryan Kesler and Christian Ehrhoff also scored for the Canucks. Ryan Potulny scored for the Oilers, who lost their sixth in a row.

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Andrei Kostitsyn scored 34 seconds into overtime as the Montreal Canadiens won their fourth in a row, 3-2 over Toronto. Jaroslav Halak made 47 saves for the Canadiens. Ottawa beat Buffalo for the seventh time in a row, with a 3-2 shootout win over the Sabres.

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The Phoenix Coyotes edged Los Angeles 3-2 for their franchise record-tying ninth straight home victory. The Coyotes matched the franchise record when the team was based in Winnipeg. Kings forward Justin Williams broke his right leg early in the first period, and will be examined later in L-A by team doctors.

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With the World Juniors in Regina, the Pats are again out of the Brandt Centre. The Pats open a 4-game road trip tonight in Medicine Hat at 7:00 Sask time on 620 CKRM (Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 6:35pm).

The Pats are hoping to avoid a sixth straight loss.

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The Indianapolis Colts put their 14-0 record on the line today when they host the New York Jets. The New Orleans Saints, coming off their first and only loss of the season, host 2-and-12
Tampa Bay.

Denver can lock up an AFC wild card with a win at Philadelphia. An Eagles victory, and a loss tonight by Dallas to Washington, would give Philly the NFC East crown.

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Urban Meyer is stepping down for health reasons as football coach at the University of Florida. The Gators have gonee 56-10 and won two national championships in Meyer's five seasons at Florida. He will coach Florida in the New Year's Day Sugar Bowl matchup against Cincinnati.

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The Raptors are gunning for their first four-game win streak of the season and looking to sweep their home-and-home series with Detroit. The Pistons are in Toronto today -- one of six games on the NBA hardcourt. The Raptors routed the injury-riddled Pistons 94-64 in Detroit on Wednesday.

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Kobe Bryant scored 38 points last night and the Lakers bounced back from a humbling 15-point Christmas Day loss to Cleveland by beating the Sacramento Kings 112-103 in double overtime. L-A played without Ron Artest. The tenacious defender is listed as
day-to-day after taking a tumble down the stairs in his house.

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Injury-plagued pitcher Kelvim Escobar is said to have reached a preliminary agreement with the New York Mets on a one-year-contract. Escobar was an 18-game winner in 2007. He missed nearly all of the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels because of shoulder trouble.

(With files from The Canadian Press)

Would You Pay Cover At The Press Box For This?

WOULD YOU PAY COVER AT THE PRESS BOX TO SEE THIS???

This email came into the Press Box Sports Bar owners:

"Hi,

I love lingerie football and Canada!

My name is Krystal Gray and I would love to appear at your sports bar.

I have heard the Press Box is one of the best in Canada. You have a great website and your sports bar looks like a great place for a party.

I hope you will take the time to look my website! . To introduce myself, I am the quarterback of the New York Majesty of the Lingerie Football League.   The New York Post named me the hottest quarterback in New York.  I felt really bad for Eli Manning and Mark Sanchez!

I recently made my first appearance in Canada — hosting a Monday Night Football game and Grey Cup party in Saskatoon. It was too bad the Roughriders didn't win, but it was an exciting game. 

While I was in Saskatoon, I did radio and television interviews and visited businesses involved in the promotion.

If I come to Regina, maybe there would be similar things I could do.

In Saskatoon, I participated throughout the weekend in a Salvation Army fundraiser, which included raffles, photo signings, and taking on all challengers in a throwing contest.

At total of $1,500 was raised to help provide Christmas gifts and food hampers for needy people.

And I won the throwing contest ha ha!

I like to think I am the most accommodating pro football player you will ever meet! I was at the bar for far more hours than in the agreement and loved every minute of it. I watched a hockey game while I was there and liked the fighting!"

So whatcha think boys?
RP

Canada 16 Latvia 0

The party was a success and so was the game!! Thanks to everybody who came down to the Press Box!

Canada 16 Latvia 0 Final

More photos from our Press Box Sports Bar Team Canada party on Boxing Day.

Macs Update

The Swift Current Wildcats started defence of their back-to-back Mac's titles against the Medicine Hat Hounds. 

The Wildcats scored in the last minute of the game with their goalie pulled to salvage a 4-4 tie. 

The Wildcats were led offensively by Jenna Smith who scored twice and added an assist.  Chelsie Lowe got the tie in net for the Wildcats making 26 saves. 

The Wildcats next action is Dec. 28 against the Lloydminster Steelers. 

The Tourney Is Underway

It's Started!

Hockey fans make their way to the Brandt Centre for the start of the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. Game 1 pits Sweden against the Czeck Republic.

Pats Load Up For The Road

The Pats open another 8-day road trip tomorrow in Medicine Hat at 7:00 on 620 CKRM. I bought a Greyhound ticket for tomorrow, so I can stay home for one more day.

Czecks Practice in Cooperators Centre

This is one of the six new rinks at Evraz Place.

Boxing Day Hockey Party!

Join me at the Press Box Sports Bar today for a Team Canada World Junior Party!

Canada opens the 2010 World Juniors at 3:00pm against Latvia in Saskatoon on TSN. Come watch it with us, and the Press Box owners want you to wear your Canada jersey!!

We'll have tons of instant win prizes from Molson Canadian and with every purchase of a Molson Canadian, you'll be entered into a draw for a pair of tickets to the 2010 WJHC gold medal game in Saskatoon.

The Press Box will have their world famous Event Menu on for the day, plus the Rod Pedersen "Voice" Burger (mushroom/mozza) is on special during the game.

I'll be on hand from 2 - 6 on Saturday and my Dad's dropping by with some Dallas Stars personnel.

If you got a copy of my book "Green Magic - Canada's Team Wins The 2007 Grey Cup" for Christmas, I'll be happy to sign it at the party.

See you at the Press Box!