SUNDAY SPORTS

The Portland Winterhawks are one win away from a trip to the WHL Finals after a 3-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals Saturday at the Rose Garden in front of 9,486 fans.

Portland took a 3-2 series lead with the victory, and will have a chance to close out the series Monday night in Spokane at 7:05 p.m.
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A member of the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats was injured following a car accident on Saturday morning outside of Calgary that left an 18-year-old woman dead. The team says 17-year-old Myles Bell was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The woman, who is from Regina, died from injuries sustained in the collision. The RCMP said alcohol and speed were factors in the accident.

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Matt Halischuck scored in double overtime as the Nashville Predators evened their Western Conference semifinal with a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Nashville's Ryan Suter banked a shot in off Roberto Luongo from behind the Vancouver net with 1:07 left in regulation to force OT. Meanwhile, the Bruins thumped the Flyers 7-3 to take a 1-0 lead in that series.

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Montreal's Georges St-Pierre won a unanimous decision over Jake Shields at UFC 129 in Toronto to retain his welterweight title. It's the ninth straight victory for the 29-year-old champion, while Shields saw his 15-fight win streak come to an end in a matchup that lacked fizz. In the co-main event before a UFC-record 55-thousand at Rogers Centre, featherweight champion Jose Aldo won a unanimous decision over a gutsy Mark Hominick of Thamesford, Ontario.

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Mike McCoy hit his first home run in the majors and added a dazzling over-the-shoulder catch that led to a double play, but the Blue Jays still fell 5-4 to the Yankees in New York. Robert Andino homered and reliever Mike Gonzalez doused a no-out bases-loaded situation as the Baltimore Orioles sent the reeling Chicago White Sox to their 14th loss in 17 games with a 6-2 victory.

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Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman needs surgery for a torn abdominal muscle and is expected to miss six weeks. Zimmerman is hitting .357 with a triple, homer and four R-B-I's in eight games this season.

(With files from the Canadian Press)

FOUR SEASONS FOOTBALL FRIDAY AUDIO

Here you go!  Here's the audio from Friday's Sports Cage.  In hour one Scott Schultz and I talked football and heard from the Riders' Brent Hawkins.  In hour two we chatted with Rider Director of Player Personnel Craig Smith and sports physiotherapist Scott Anderson.  Download the show here:
HOUR ONE:
http://www.mediafire.com/?8ihfhgdbukf5ocy
HOUR TWO:
http://www.mediafire.com/?x933uufxq3rtwz3

RIDERS WANT YOU!

Here's a note from the club for you fans today:

- "Come on down to the Italian Club today at 1:00, 2:30 or 4:00 today to be a part of the 2011 Roughrider TV campaign! And don't forget to wear your green!!! We are looking for all ages, shapes and sizes of rider fans."

ESKS SIGN QUARTERBACK

(Edmonton)    The Edmonton Eskimos have signed free agent quarterback Cody Kirby. A four year starter at Missouri State, Kirby (5-11, 200lbs) finished his collegiate career with 8,183 passing yards and 48 touchdowns passes. He was named top freshman in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2007, and was a three time All-Conference player.
 
Eskimo General Manager Eric Tillman says "we impressed enough with Cody during his workout two weeks ago at Ole Miss that he earned an invite to our mini-camp in Edmonton. His success at Missouri State is well documented and we're intrigued by his upside and potential.  There is no doubt however that he has the arm strength to make every single throw on the wider and longer Canadian field".      
 
The Eskimos open their 2011 training camp on Sunday, June 5th at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton.

CFL PRESEASON ON TSN

TSN gears up for the 2011 CFL season by giving Canadian football fans more pre-season coverage than ever before. TSN, TSN2 and TSN MOBILE TV will broadcast seven games featuring each of the league's eight teams. As official radio broadcaster for the Toronto Argonauts, TSN RADIO 1050 will broadcast both Argo preseason games. The full TSN pre-season broadcast schedule is below.
 
Live pre-season coverage kicks off on Wednesday, June 15 with BC @ Calgary at 9 p.m. ET on TSN2. The networks' CFL pre-season coverage features veteran play-by-play commentators Chris Cuthbert and Rod Black and game analysts Glen Suitor and Duane Forde, along with the popular CFL ON TSN panel – Dave Randorf, Chris Schultz, Matt Dunigan, Jock Climie and Milt Stegall.
 
Along with pre-season games, TSN also has live coverage of the CFL CANADIAN DRAFT on Sunday, May 8 at 12:30 p.m. ET, leading up to the first day of the 2011 CFL regular season – RONA CANADA DAY KICK-OFF – on Thursday, June 30 featuring BC @ Montreal at 7 p.m. ET.

FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS

Today, for some reason, I have more questions than I have answers.   Watch how many observations end in question marks.  Take a stab at answering some of them if you don't mind:

- I've got to admit I'm pretty over-the-top excited about this weekend.  It will begin with Four Seasons Football Friday on the Sports Cage today on 620 CKRM and we'll dig into the simmering feud between Rider DE Brent Hawkins and former Rider DT Scott Schultz.   Hawkins proudly bench-pressed 500 lbs this week but Schultzie scoffed at it saying not only is it dangerous, but it's pointless.  As Hawk said to me yesterday, "Why is Schultz hating on me? I don't even know the guy."  Today on the Cage we'll hear from both.  Quite frankly Schultz isn't hating on him but you'll have to tune in to hear why.

- Then afterwards tonight it's off to High Impact Wrestling at the Victoria Club with a pack of my closest friends.  I'm skeptical that it could be as mind-blowing as the last time we were there, but we'll see.

- Tomorrow night is UFC 129 at Rogers Centre, the biggest UFC event ever.  I'd love to be there, and the Sports Cage's Derek "Duke" Meyers will be, but I think this is an event that's better on TV.

- Now to the observations:   Notice how no one refers to Tom Shepherd as the "unofficial owner of the Roughriders" anymore?   I wonder why that is.

- Andy Fantuz is in town for his First Round Football Camp.  I know they're still low on entries so maybe you've got time to get your kid in the camp.  Go to http://www.firstroundfootball.com/.

- I'm surprised TSN didn't make a bigger deal out of the Touchdown Atlantic news conference this week with Henry Burris and Kevin Glenn.   But all they care about right now is the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which is their right.

- WHEN WHEN WHEN will the Roughriders be featured in Touchdown Atlantic???  I can't wait for that day.

- There has been plenty of criticism over my "Who Cares" stance on the Riders being over the salary cap in three of the past four years.  Please let me explain why I feel that way.  1) I don't trust the other teams when it comes to salary management and therefore have no faith in the system and 2) We had a salary cap in the 90's and early 2000's as well and nobody cared when teams habitually went over it and walked all over the Riders.  Why should we care now that the shoe's on the other foot?

- I have no problem with blogger Scott Schmidt taking me to task for my stance.  At least he's got the stones to show his face and put his name to it.  As far as the haters go, I laugh at them.   And take their money.

- People have said that if other CFL teams were guilty of this, or WHL teams other than the Pats guilty of some infraction, that I'd scream bloody murder.   WRONG!  Any hardcore Rider fan would never remember me saying "Well we lost because the other team has a marquee QB and a much bigger payroll".   Back then we took our lumps with our heads down.   Now, our head is up.

- As far as the Pats go, I hope everything sorts itself out and the franchise is successful.  I'm sure there's a plan in place, I just have no idea what it is.  Good luck.

- I like L.A. Kings coach Terry Murray, I've interviewed him, but his not shaking hands after their first round loss was bush league.  TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that several NHL coaches said they don't shake hands after series even though it's a player ritual.  Well, I saw Joel Quenneville and Alain Vigneault shake hands on Tuesday.  Maybe you don't have to, but you should.

- TSN's Gord Miller said the other night that San Jose goalie Antti Niemi couldn't stop a curling rock midway through the L.A. series.  I have to ask, is that a rock thrown draw-weight or hack-weight?   Quite frankly I wouldn't want to get in front of a curling rock either.

- What is Mac-T's 'Cool Factor' on the TSN panel on a scale of 1-10?  9?  9.5?

- Denis Potvin has been a solid addition to the Rogers Sportsnet panel.

- I've often wondered why P.K. Subban is on TSN before and after every Montreal game.   However after his one-timer goal in Game 7 against Boston, I now know why.   By the way where is Vincent Lecavalier?  Is he hurt?

- No Saskatchewan teams this far in the WHL playoffs, AGAIN, has made me lose interest in what goes on for here on in.  However kudos to the Kootenay Ice for a frachise-record 11 straight playoff victories.  They are one off the league record held by five teams.

- And where WERE the fans in Cranbook during Games 3 and 4 of the East Conference Final?  I'd say no one can fault the Chynoweths if they want to move that team out of the Kootenays.

- The BlackBerry Playbook?  No thanks.

- We can NHL, WHL, NBA or what have you on the Sports Cage but NOTHING blows up the Prairie Mobile BlackBerry on that show like Rider football talk.   Unfortunately the next month is the most excruciating month of the year as we await Rider season.  It's like the last 100 miles of your car trip home; it takes forever.

- Looking for a Friday buffet to end your week?   Try these out:

PRESS BOX SPORTS BAR: Pizza, rack of ribs, onion rings, breaded chicken, mashed potatoes, cream corn, rice, caesar salad and dessert.

FOUR SEASONS SPORTS PALACE:  Pizza, barbecue chicken, baked penne, sweet & sour ribs, perogies, fish, beef noodle soup, mashed potatoes, corn and full salad and dessert bar all for just $12.95.

SEE YOU TODAY IN THE CAGE AT 4:00!
RP

A CAREER OF A LIFETIME!

Thursday night at the Casino Regina Show Lounge we celebrated Willy Cole's stellar career at CKRM radio.  Friday morning will be his final morning show after 33 years.  What can I say?  I've known Willy since I was 10 years old and he's been like a father to me.  When it finally hits me that he's done, it's going to be rough.  Here are some photos from a fabulous night..

 The Show Lounge was packed for the event.  It was the toughest ticket in town...

Morning co-host Jamie Lewis proved to be an AMAZING emcee.  He had a big job, but no one could have done it better...

One of my favourites, Midale, Saskatchewan's Brad Johner was the headline performer.  Brad was the 2007 CCMA Male Artist of the Year...

Bob Poley, Bruce Cowie and my Dad share some laughs beforehand...

Bob Hughes, Tom Shepherd and Tony Playter...

The only man Dennis Hull said he'd pay money to watch speak; Sammy Richardson...

It was a spectacular stage show.  Here, Stephanie Thompson performs...

Rory Allen had the crowd All Shook Up...

P.H. delivered a message by video.  So too did His Worship Mayor Pat Fiacco...

Bob Hughes had the hands-down funniest line of the night.  "What a tremendous night this is for me!" Hughes snickered.  "I didn't realize that Tom Shepherd and Lorne Harasen were still alive!"

CJWW morning man and program director Rod Kitter came down for the event and our old buddy Jeff King flew in from Victoria...

CKRM Ag Director Jim Smalley takes photos....

The Lovequist Lounge Colin Lovequist poses with the Man of the Hour....

I've got to hand it to Brian Sklar ... he put on a heckuva show...

Random fans were picked from the crowd to answer Willy Cole trivia questions...

One of Willy's oldest friends, Metro had the crowd in stitches..

And to cap the night off, CKRM's new morning co-host Gloria Evans was introduced to the crowd.  She'll appear on CKRM's Flea Market Friday morning at 9:00.

GREAT JOB TOM STASESON PUTTING THIS WHOLE THING TOGETHER...

SO LONG WILLY!  YOU'RE THE GREATEST..

2011 REGINA RAMS SCHEDULE

Sept. 2 (7:00 pm) – vs. UBC (Mosaic Stadium)
Sept. 9 (7:00 pm) – at Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Sask.)
Sept. 16 (7:00 pm) – vs. Calgary (Mosaic Stadium)
Sept. 24 (1:00 pm) – at Alberta (Edmonton, Alta.)
Sept. 30 (7:00 pm) – vs. Manitoba (Mosaic Stadium)
Oct. 15 (2:00 pm PDT) – at UBC (Vancouver, B.C.)
Oct. 22 (7:00 pm) – vs. Saskatchewan (Mosaic Stadium)
Oct. 29 (1:00 pm CDT) – at Manitoba (Winnipeg, Man.)
Nov. 5 – Canada West Semifinals
Nov. 12 – Canada West Final
Nov. 19 – Mitchell Bowl (RSEQ champion at Canada West champion)
Nov. 25 – Vanier Cup (Vancouver, B.C.)

STAMPS EXTEND ISAAC

Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce that defensive back Brandon Isaac has signed a contract extension with the club. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
 
Isaac is coming off a rookie season that saw him make 24 defensive tackles and sevenspecial-teams tackles while recording two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, one pass knockdown and three sacks. The sackswere the most by a Stamps defensive back since 1998.
 
"We were really happy with Brandon's progress throughout his rookie season," said Hufnagel. "Our coaching staff is excited about his potential."
 
Isaac played in 15 regular-season games in 2010, making two starts, and also saw action in the West final. He originally signed with Calgary as a free agent in May of 2010.

FIRST ROUND THOUGHTS

WEST
1. VANCOUVER-CHICAGO:
Talk to anybody in Vancouver and they'll tell you it's hard to believe they've only been through one round of the playoffs. The seven game set with the Blackhawks took a lot out of them but it may have shown them something; the Canucks are a helluva team when they want to be.

2. ANAHEIM-NASHVILLE:
Washington forward Brooks Laich told us the winner of this series would advance to the West Conference Finals. So, do you think that will happen? This was a fiercely entertaining series but in the end the Preds had more grit, which is saying a lot. For sure they'll have more than Vancouver in round two, but the Canucks have infinitely more skill.

3. SAN JOSE-L.A.:
This was supposed to be the year the up-and-coming Kings would finally do something in the playoffs but they were up against a team with more to prove. Getting past round one was a major hurdle for the Sharks to leap but the road to the Stanley Cup is very long, and it seemed the Sharks did all their celebrating after Game 6.

4. DETROIT-PHOENIX:
It was the only first-round sweep and it appeared the savvy veterans in Detroit barely broke a sweat in disposing the Desert Dogs. Why do we always doubt the Red Wings when they keep proving us wrong? They are now rested, motivated and ready to beat the Sharks who seem to have a mental block against the Winged Wheelers.

EAST
1. MONTREAL-BOSTON:
Easily the most-entertaining first round affair in this conference, it's too bad someone had to lose. However in the end, the better team won. And Boston did it with an under-performing top line of Krejci-Horton-Lucic. When they come to play, look out.

2. PHILADELPHIA-BUFFALO:
The Sabres are kicking themselves for not closing the door on Philly when the door was wide open to do so. The Flyers are a high-flying team with not-so-consistent goaltending. That's not a recipe for success in today's Stanley Cup Playoffs (ask last years' Capitals). Philly goes down in round two to the Bruins.

3. WASHINGTON-NEW YORK:
Did I hear the Capitals scored just 13 goals in this five game series AND WON? Perhaps Laich is right: they have buckled down and got serious about defending their zone. With Ovie finding another gear, we could see a Caps-Bruins East Final.

4. TAMPA-PITTSBURGH:
How Dan Bylsma isn't in a straight-jacket, I'll never know. Sidney Crosby's season was ended on a blindside elbow and nothing was ever done, or said, about it. With Crosby, they beat Tampa. Without him, 42-year old goalie Dwayne Roloson stole the show. Call him The Terminator because Rollie has never lost a Game 7. Sadly for the Bolts, round two won't go that far.

LIONS SIGN QB

(Vancouver) The BC Lions Football Club have announced that quarterback Corey Leonard has signed a contract with the team and will attend rookie camp slated for June 2nd to 4th in Kamloops, BC.
 
Leonard spent four seasons with the Red Wolves of Arkansas State and wrapped up his college career in 2009 trailing only current CFL quarterback Cleo Lemon with 7,319 passing yards on 571 completions.
 
The Lions also announced that import receivers Carl Sims and Dobson Collins have inked contracts as has defensive back Marquez Hall.
 
Sims spent four seasons at Western Illinois in 2008 after appearing in 36 games as both a receiver and return specialist. He wrapped up his career with 136 receptions for 1,724 career receiving yards and 11 TD's.
 
Collins appeared in 42 games with 22 starts at Gardner-Webb. The speedy wideout caught 143 passes for 1,754 yards and 14 touchdowns and was also a two-time All-Big South selection as a punt returner and wide receiver. He also brings some NFL experience to the Leos after stops with Philadelphia and San Francisco in 2009 and 2010.
 
Hall comes to the Lions following a four-year, 43-game career at Tennessee State which ended in 2010 when as a senior, he recorded a career-high 37 tackles, two sacks, 19 knockdowns and an interception.

SUTTER, CYR WON'T RETURN

Regina, Saskatchewan – Regina Pats General Manager, Chad Lang announced today that the Pats will not renew the contracts of Assistant Coach Shaun Sutter and Goaltending Coach, Ryan Cyr for the upcoming season.  The Pats missed the playoffs this season after finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 23-39-7-3 mark in 2010-11.

"These decisions are always tough to make, with a number of factors to take into consideration, however after a lengthy review process we felt it was time to make a change." Regina Pats General Manager Chad Lang continues, "I would like to thank Shaun and Ryan for the hard work they have provided the Regina Pats organization during their time with the team and wish the two of them the best in the future."

The search to fill both of these positions will begin immediately.

CANUCKS-BLACKHAWKS DRAW BIG RATINGS

Canadians from east and west couldn't get enough of CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA on Tuesday night as the Game Seven overtime thriller between the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks drew an average audience of 3.82 million viewers, the second largest Round One Playoff audience on CBC since 2000, eclipsed only by Game Six of the Toronto/Ottawa series that drew 3.90 million viewers in 2004.
 
The audience for Vancouver-Chicago peaked at 5.08 million viewers.
 
The earlier match-up, Game Six between Boston and Montreal, scored with an audience of 3.02 million.

WEDNESDAY SPORTS CAGE ARCHIVES

In hour one Scruffy and I discussed the Pats letting go assistant coaches Shaun Sutter and Ryan Cyr.  We were also joined by Jeff Paterson of Team 1040 Radio in Vancouver.  In hour two we talked WHL and NHL hockey with Peter Loubardias, the TV voice of the Calgary Flames.  Download the show here:
HOUR ONE:
http://www.mediafire.com/?yv37rlbrdjk6pc7
HOUR TWO:
http://www.mediafire.com/?jy60fm7x6tenkxd

TICATS ADD CANADIAN COACHES

Hamilton, Ontario - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced today that the team has added three Canadians to the team's coaching staff.  Scott Fawcett has been named Special Teams Assistant, Dwayne Cameron has been named Defensive Assistant and Vince Luciani has been named Offensive Assistant.

Fawcett brings nearly three decades of coaching experience to the Black and Gold, including a stint as Special Teams Coordinator with the Ticats 1999 Grey Cup championship team.  Fawcett also has pro experience as Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2006 and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2005.  His coaching pedigree also includes extensive experience at the CIS, U.S. college and Canadian junior levels. 

Cameron spent last season with the Ticats as Defensive and Special Teams Assistant after six seasons on the coaching staff at Wilfrid Laurier as the Golden Hawks' Strength and Conditioning and Defensive Backs Coach. 

Luciani joins the coaching ranks after a five-year CIS career as a receiver at Wilfrid Laurier.

MOVIN' ON

Vancouver can breathe a little easier. Alex Burrows scored his second of the night in overtime as the Canucks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in Game 7. The Hawks tied it late in the third with a short-handed goal from Jonathan Toews. Chicago stormed back from a 3-0 deficit to knot the series before falling in the deciding game.
(CP, Canoe.ca)

TUESDAY SPORTS CAGE ARCHIVES

Tuesday's Sports Cage on 620 CKRM was a presentation of Kal Tire.  Global TV Regina's Derek Meyers co-hosted with me for the full two hours and we discussed the Stanley Cup Playoffs throughout all of it.  In hour one we heard from the NHL Network's Brian Duff and in hour two we heard from Team 1040 Vancouver's Joe Kenward and Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich.  You can download the show here:
HOUR ONE:
http://www.mediafire.com/?i9snfslisk1r7jt
HOUR TWO:
http://www.mediafire.com/?4vtmlpz61deavx6

LAICH CHECKS IN WITH THE WOLF

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich of Wawota, Saskatchewan appeared on Regina's 104.9 The Wolf with Chad and Ballsie Tuesday morning.   Here's how the conversation went:

LAICH: It's nice to get through round one (against the Rangers) and it's nice to get through quickly and get a couple of days to rest and recover before round two for sure.

BALLSIE: Pick the winners tonight beginning with Montreal and Boston..

LAICH:  I don't know. I always cheer for for the team who's down in the series because I want them to go as long as possible.  I don't Montreal's going to be able to do 'er.  I think Boston will win tonight.

BALLSIE:  Can the Canucks get their game back?

LAICH:  They can get it back.  In a game like that your best players have to be your best and let the grinders grind and the workers work and leave it on the table.  I think Vancouver can get it done if they outwork Chicago.

CHAD:  What you're saying is that the Sedins have to get their (butts) in gear..

LAICH:  That's what YOU'RE saying.

BALLSIE: What about Pittsburgh and Tampa?

LAICH:  I watched the game last night and Tampa looks tough to beat the way they're playing.  I think Pittsburgh's hope relies on Fleury.  They have to win 2-1 or 3-2.  If it's run-and-gun, Tampa has too many guns.

BALLSIE:   Do you feel like the monkey's off your back?

LAICH:  We feel good.  We played well in the series but I think we can still play better.  We had a few breakdowns.  As the saying goes you're always happy but never satisfied.  I'm going to the rink right now for practice.   I think this is the most solid that our game has been in the last couple years and we're excited to get to round two.

CHAD:  How's the beard contest going?  Ballsie shaved his beard..

LAICH:  Chickened out eh?

BALLSIE:  I had it twice and shaved it twice.  My kid is busting my chops saying I'll have to make a sizeable donation to the cause.

LAICH:  I just feel bad you've let your listeners down.   You said you'd grow a beard with me and you didn't do it but a guess a donation would be nice.  My beard's going well but it has some red growing in.

BATES RETIRES, JOINS LIONS STAFF

(Vancouver) The BC Lions Football Club announced today that longtime Lions offensive lineman Kelly Bates has returned to the club to announce his retirement from the CFL playing ranks and accept a position as an assistant coach.
 
"Kelly is a welcome addition to our staff," said Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono. "He's worked very closely with offensive line coach Dan Dorazio and I believe his experience and enthusiasm will lend itself well to his new role."
 
The Leos' fourth round selection in the 2001 CFL Draft, Bates appeared in 115 games for the club through the 2008 season. He wrapped up his CFL playing days with stops in Winnipeg in 2009 as well as Saskatchewan and Edmonton in 2010. Bates was a West Division and CFL All-Star in 2007 and enjoyed two Grey Cup appearances in 2004 and 2006.
 
"I am very grateful to Wally and the entire Lions organization," said Bates. "Not only have they allowed me to retire as a Lion which was very important to me, the opportunity to step into a coaching role demonstrates their dedication to investing into the future of our great league."

ANOTHER AWARD FOR HOPSON

REGINA, SK – Saskatchewan Roughriders President Jim Hopson is this year's recipient of the Toastmasters District 42 (Alberta and Saskatchewan) 2011 Communication and Leadership Award, in recognition for outstanding communication and leadership skills demonstrated in the community.

Hopson will accept the award at a luncheon in his honour on Saturday April 30, at the Regina Inn during The Toastmasters District 42 Spring Convention in Regina. According to Hopson, "It is indeed an honour to be awarded the Toastmasters Communication and Leadership Award. To be included on the roster of those who have previously received the award is very special."

It was only recently that Hopson received a "no-brainer" contract extension for what he calls "the greatest job in the country." Under his leadership, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have become a model franchise, competing in three of the last four Grey Cups, as well as achieving record profits. The Saskatchewan Roughriders now account for more than half of all CFL merchandise sold.

Under Hopson, the club has also renewed its focus on community involvement, with a significant number of players now working in and making Regina their year-round home and becoming very involved in the community. Hopson has been leading by example, spending numerous hours speaking to community groups throughout Saskatchewan, at charity events, and presenting to business groups.

The Toastmasters District 42 Communication and Leadership Award was established in 1972 to honour a leading citizen in our District for his or her communication and leadership. Past-distinguished recipients, include the Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker, Ambassador Ken Taylor, the Hon. Peter Lougheed, the Hon. Sylvia Fedoruk and his Worship, Mayor Pat Fiacco.

BLOGGER RIPS RIDERS & ME

Blogger Scott Schmidt from canadianfootballtalk.com has a problem with the Roughriders and their play-by-play voice.  This is what he had to say:

Riders Salary Cap Violation Explanations Are Poor Excuses
Byline: Scott Schmidt, April 25/2011

It’s well known that the Saskatchewan Roughriders exceeded the salary cap in the 2010 season by $26,677 dollars. The result ended with the Riders being fined for the infraction for the third time in the last four seasons. Since the implementation of the Salary Management System in 2006, the Green and White have only been able to abide by the cap once.

While the the Roughriders are partially at fault for player spending, the salary cap in the CFL is not really a cap, more of a recommendation with slight fines for not following the recommendations. The lack of a hard salary cap along with penalties that can be considered a wrist slap, make the Salary Management System seriously flawed. Even the loss of draft picks for exceeding the cap by over $99,999 is not a major blow to most franchises. Before we get to deep into the flaws, which will be addressed in a later post, lets look at the Roughriders reaction to the fine.

“Going over the cap isn’t something we take a lot of pride in,” Roughriders GM Brendan Taman said. “It’s not something we want to do. It happened, and it’s something we don’t want to have happen again. It’s a challenging thing to manage, but other teams have been able to do it, so we just need to try to get it done.”

The Riders should be embarrassed by yet another violation of the rules. Admission is the first step. The second is to realize that most teams have been able to abide by the soft cap and the Riders should too.

“When you have 13 of them as free agents, you’re not getting them back for the same amount of money,” Taman said. “You’re going to give them raises.”

Its a good point. Free agents most likely come with raises. But it’s a poor excuse. Every team has to look at upcoming free agents and then look at their salary cap figure and decide which ones are the most important. If resigning all 13 is going to put you up against the cap, then you may have to bite your cheek and pick the ones you want to sign and let 2 or 3 walk away.

“When you’ve got a marquee quarterback who’s coming into his own, do you really want him being a free agent the next year?” Taman said referring to the need to sign top players to contract extensions.

Once again, nothing more than a poor excuse. It’s something that is dealt with around the league every year, who to give raises to. In the past it wasn’t an issue before the SMS was implemented, but now before any player is given an extension and raise a team needs to fully understand how much affect that will have on the cap. If it risks putting you over, then a decision needs to be made regarding whether to let said player go, or let another player go that will clear up room for an extension.

“We had three or four guys have career years, and they hit every incentive they probably could attain in their contracts, for the most part,” Taman said. “We didn’t quite have that budgeted to that degree as the year went on.”

Inexcusable. A team has to include and factor in all salaries, bonuses and incentives into their cap management system as the high water level. If the Riders looked at safety James Patricks contract and figured he would never hit his interception performance bonus and it was decided they could spend more on another player, that is blatently awful cap management.

Taman did admit that it is something that needs to be fixed and part of the problem is that the Riders may need to get younger and cheaper to abide by the soft cap. That is one step. The next would be to drop the excuses and manage the cap the way it should be. That may be best solved by spending part of what would have been dollars fined on a sapary cap management specialist whose job is strictly to help player personnel guys to manage the cap.

The other is a change of attitude and policy around the CFL. After listening to Rod Pedersen, the voice of the Riders radio, on his Sportscage radio show discussing the Riders cap violation, the basic premise was “Who cares”. The point was made that the Riders can easily pay for any fine so, who cares. Another point was that the Riders have also made it to the Grey Cup in three of the last four years so, who cares.

That kind of attitude in the face of CFL policy is a big part of the problem. Luckily for the CFL in 2010, seven other teams cared enough about policy to abide by the rules. If everyone went about their business with a “who cares” mentality towards the cap, the CFL would fall back to the free for all over spending ways that plagued and hurt the league before the cap was implemented.

If one team decided to break the rules and pay any fines, it may lead to a second team following suit, followed by a thrid and so on. The system is built on a house of cards and could easily collapse. Stiffer fines, stronger penalties and changes to the injury and roster lists are needed to make this work if the CFL isn’t going to bring in a hard cap.

In the end the excuses and “who cares” attitudes need to change before the entire system falls apart.

MONDAY SPORTS CAGE ARCHIVES

It was a pleasure to be back on the air in The Sports Cage on 620 CKRM on Monday.  In hour one we chatted Stanley Cup Playoffs with CTV Regina's Chris Hodges and Adam Proteau of The Hockey News.  In hour two it was a Rider Monday with John Lynch and we fielded tons of questions from our listeners.  You can download the show here:
HOUR ONE:
http://www.mediafire.com/?hq99n7jn5zm386e
HOUR TWO:
http://www.mediafire.com/?19dni6clawtqhis

CANADA TAKES SILVER

ZURICH, Switzerland - Canada's National Women's Team took the silver medal at the 2011 IIHF World Women's Championship, after falling to the United States 3-2 in overtime during the gold medal game Monday night at the Hallenstadion in Zurich. 
 
Jocelyne Lamoureux opened the scoring, making it 1-0 for the United States at 16:56 in the first, but Gillian Apps (Unionville, Ont.) took a nice shot off a pass out front to tie it up in the last eight seconds of the period.
 
In the second period, Jenny Potter stickhandled the puck to her backhand and put it into the back of the Canadian net at 12:05 to regain a 2-1 lead for the United States. Canada tied it up again in the third, with Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, Ont.)  letting a quick shot go at 16:04 in the period.
 
A fast-paced overtime period ended in favour of the Americans, with Hilary Knight netting the game-winner and the United States winning gold at the 2011 IIHF World Women's Championship.
 
Earlier Monday, the bronze medal game also went into overtime, with Finland winning 3-2 over Russia. Canadian defenceman Meaghan Mikkelson (St. Albert, Alta.) and forward Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, Sask.) were both named to the tournament's media all-star team.

THE MONDAY MORNING GOALIE

Some playoff series fail to live up to the advance hype while others farrrrrrr exceed it. The latter is what's going on with the Vancouver-Chicago first round Stanley Cup playoff affair. For those who don't know, the Canucks raced out to a 3-0 series lead however the defending champs have roared back to tie the series up at 3-3 including a 4-3 OT win Sunday night. In the process they have completely ruined the confidence of a goaltender and may be on the verge of causing the biggest choke-job in hockey history. Here are some thoughts on that, and some Las Vegas observations thrown in just for spits and giggles:

- It's quite a scene, I'm told, all over the province of British Columbia these days. People are huddled around their radios, TVs, computers, Ipods or whatever device will bring them their beloved Canucks broadcasts. They love their hockey team like we love our football team and right now they are on beyond pins and needles.

- Of course with the franchise on the verge of the biggest collapse in the history of the NHL, I'm told Vancouver City Police are also bracing for riots in the event of a Game 7 loss on Tuesday. Hopefully that doesn't happen, but their fans will be enraged.

- What a dilemma Canucks coach Alain Vigneault has created for himself. He yanks Roberto Luongo in Games 4 & 5 and benches him in Game 6, only to see him come off the bench to lose Game 6 in OT on Sunday. Who do you start in Game 7? As of now A-V hasn't said and I'm betting he doesn't even know.

- The photo above of Luongo was on the cover of The Hockey News Playoff Preview. Adam Proteau from THN will join me on the Sports Cage today at 4:30 pm.

- Gotta love Vancouver radio! I was listening to Team 1040's pregame broadcast and they were discussing who starts in goal in Game 1 for Vancouver in the NEXT SERIES!!!!!! They did though, sound awfully nervous too.

- The one guy who will be anxiously awaiting Tuesday's outcome is Theoren Fleury. On Fan 960 radio a few weeks back, he predicted a first-round Canucks joke and he was subjected to the most horrid abuse imaginable from degenerate Canucks fans. For that, I'll pull for Chicago in this one.

- According to NHL.com's rosters, the Blackhawks have 21 Canadian-born players while the Canucks have 14.

- We learn on the Canucks pregame show that Tylenol is the official pain-reliever of the Vancouver Canucks. What is their official anti-depressant?

- Congrats to the Predators on their first-ever playoff series win. They knocked out Anaheim on Sunday. Of course the only coach Nashville has ever had is former Regina Pats captain and Notre Dame Hound Barry Trotz.

- Ryan Getzlaf's father Steve was on our flight from Denver on Sunday. He said hopefully Ryan gets an invite to play for Canada at the World Championships. He would NOT turn that down, unlike American Phil Kessel.

- If Montreal loses in Game 6 or 7 to Boston, it's not a choke even though they were up 2-0 in the series. They weren't expected to win in the first place.

- The NHL needs to figure it out and quick: the vast, vast majority of the USA doesn't give a rat's behind about hockey. On the TV in my Vegas hotel there were four ESPN channels (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News and ESPN U) and not ONE had a hockey game. Bettman needs to figure out they're no longer in the Big Four with the NBA, NFL and MLB and therefore they need to focus on the market where they're #1: CANADA.

- If Kris Versteeg can make it in the NHL, so can Jordan Weal. Weal's a better junior for sure.

- Two things struck me while listening to the Sports Cage last week with Derek "Duke" Meyers:

1) Do the Canadian NHL teams event WANT the Phoenix Coyotes to move to Winnipeg?
2) Is the NHL really serious about getting rid of headshots? Or do they feel bad publicity better than none? There goes Bettman again. He's not doing a good job.

- Supposedly the True North Group in Winnipeg wants to rename the Phoenix Coyotes the "Manitoba Falcons". Apparently they want to capitalize on the whole province like the Saskatchewan Roughriders have. I've got two thoughts on that; 1) it took years to build that provincial love and 2) this philosophy didn't exactly work for the AHL's Manitoba Moose.

- Steve Yzerman wins NHL GM of the year hands down.

- What a pick up James Neal was by Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. He just scores big goals and he could have been enough to get the Dallas Stars in the playoffs.

- I watched the 1987 Canada Cup final on the way to Las Vegas. All hockey players should watch that as an example of how the game should be played.

- I was gonna ask what Mike Keenan's doing now, but I discovered he's an analyst on Versus. Of course, who would know? You can't get the channel anywhere.

- Congrats to M.J. Warriors broadcaster James Gallo and his wife on the birth of their daughter Hannah Karren Gallo. 6lbs 15 ounces, born 210am april 19

- Great radio station to listen to in Las Vegas; 93.1 The Party. Crappy radio station in Denver; Cozy 101.1.

- On the all-sports radio station in Vegas, 920 AM, the Spearmint Rhino strip club was advertising that they should be your #1 choice for your stag party OR divorce party. Do you know anyone who's ever had a divorce party?

- It's 6:30 am Saturday and a black suburban with SPEARMINT RHINO in the back window pulls up to the MGM and six leggy blondes get out and go inside. I says to my buddy Steve "what's that all about?" and he says back to me "room service".

- I like Las Vegas but I'm not a Vegas guy. I'm an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kind of a guy. Things don't get rolling there till about 11:00am and I've usually been up for five hours already. Still, it's a blast but I've never even been in a Las Vegas nightclub.

- Everywhere you go in L.V., you're surrounded by music. The tune you ALWAYS hear there now is E.T. by Katy Perry featuring Kanye West. Download it.

- The Vernon Vipers are the favourites to win a third straight Royal Bank Cup. How long before Vernon coach Mark Ferner is guiding a WHL team?

- The Portage Terriers will join Vernon at the RBC in Camrose, Alberta. The Terriers wrapped up the Anavet Cup with a 4-0 victory in Game 7 over La Ronge Sunday night.

- What's new with the Riders? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except draft preparations which we covered with Brendan Taman last week at this time. This is the slowest time of year in the CFL.

- There are plenty of spots open in the Andy Fantuz football camp at the end of the month. It's a pro-style camp for kids aged 13+. Go to www.andyfantuz.com to sign up!

- A question which came up last week: Who has the most arrogant and obnoxious fans: The Lakers? Yankees? Riders? Your thoughts please.

OKAY I'M DONE! SEE YOU IN THE CAGE AT 4:00
RP

WINNIPEG WINS TELUS CUP

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. – The Winnipeg Thrashers (West) have won the 2011 TELUS Cup, claiming Canada's 33rd National Midget Championship with a 3-1 win over the London Jr. Knights (Central) in Sunday night's gold medal game at Mile One Centre.
 
Justin Derlago opened the scoring midway through the second period, Connor Lockhart notched the game-winner 1:01 into the third period, Corey Petrash added an insurance goal 99 seconds later and Teagan Sacher stopped 31 shots as Winnipeg became just the second Manitoba team to win the national championship, joining the 2004 Brandon Wheat Kings.
 
The gold medal is the seventh in eight years for the West Region; it has appeared in every gold medal game during that stretch, with only the Thrashers in 2008 failing to take home the national championship.

CANADA FINISHES FOURTH

CRIMMITSCHAU, Germany – Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team has finished in fourth place at the 2011 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, dropping a 6-4 decision to Russia in Sunday's bronze medal game.
 
Canada finished the preliminary round in second place in Group B with a 3-1 record and finished second in Group B. They advanced past Germany 4-3 in the quarter-finals before dropping a heart-breaking 5-4 overtime decision to the United States in Saturday's semifinal.
 
On Sunday, Canada held a 2-1 lead in the second period before allowing four unanswered goals to the Russians. Ryan Murray (White City, Sask./Everett, WHL) and Brett Ritchie (Orangeville, Ont./Sarnia, OHL) scored to cut the lead to 5-4 in the final minute, but the Canadians came up a goal short.
 
Ryan Murphy (Aurora, Ont./Kitchener, OHL) scored once and added three assists for Canada, finishing the tournament with 13 points, a record for a Canadian at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, eclipsing the previous mark of 12 set by Pierre-Marc Bouchard in 2002 and equaled by Cody Hodgson in 2008. Murphy was also named the tournament's top defenceman.
 
Canada finished seventh at last year's IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Minsk and Bobruisk, Belarus.

SUNDAY SPORTS

The La Ronge Ice Wolves have forced a game 7 in the Anavet Cup. The SJHL champions blanked the Terriers 1-0 in Portage Saturday night, tying the series at 3-3. The deciding game will be played Sunday night.

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Nathan Horton scored in double overtime as the Bruins beat the Canadiens 2-1 in Game 5. Tim Thomas made 44 saves for Boston, which leads the series 3-2. Carey Price stopped 49 shots for the Habs, who will look to stave off elimination in Montreal on Tuesday.

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The L.A. Kings are still alive after a 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. Wayne Simmonds had a goal and an assist for the Kings, who host Game 6 on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Capitals moved onto the second round with a 3-1 win over the Rangers. And Tampa Bay drubbed Pittsburgh 8-2 to avoid elimination. The Penguins still lead that series 3-2.

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The Notre Dame Hounds defeated the Edmonton Thunder 5-2 to win the gold medal at the Esso Cup 2011, the Canadian midget girls hockey championship.

Jenny More scored a pair for the Hounds. Single markers were added by Courtney Jacklin, Olivia Howe and Alyssa Threadkell.

Goalie Samantha Langford stopped 20 of the 22 shots she faced.

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Canada is into the final at the women's world hockey championship after beating Finland 4-1 in the semis. Finnish goalie Noora Raty was stellar in defeat, stopping 74 shots. The Canadians will face the United States on Monday.

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Zach Randolph scored 25 points as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the
San Antonio Spurs 91-88 for the franchise's first playoff victory on its home court. The Number 8 seed in the West now leads that series
2--1. Game 4 is Monday night in Memphis. Elsewhere, Indiana avoided elimination with a 89-84 win over Chicago. Portland defeated Dallas 84-82 to knot that series at 2-2, and Oklahoma City beat Denver 97-94 to take a 3-0 advantage.

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Alex Rodriguez hit a milestone grand slam and drove in six runs as the New York Yankees pounded the Baltimore Orioles 15-3. Rodriguez connected in a seven-run eighth inning for his 22nd career slam. That pushed him past Manny Ramirez and into second place on the career list behind only Lou Gehrig, who has 23. Meanwhile, the Jays were 6-4 losers to Tampa Bay.

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Offensively challenged Minnesota broke out of a season-long slump by hammering Cleveland 10-3. It's the first time this season the Twins have scored more than five runs. Danny Valencia hit a two-run homer. Jason Kubel had two hits and three RBI's for the Twins, who entered the day with the fewest runs scored in the majors.

(With files from The Canadian Press)

CHAMPIONS!

The Regina Hornets are champions of the 2011 Las Vegas Easter Showcase. The U15 girls team beat the Las Vegas Elite 51-48 in Saturday's final. Britton Belyk and Jen Tonita each had 14 points while Chrissy McCusker had nine. With the victory, the Hornets avenged the loss in last year's final here in Nevada. Next up, coming home and back to blogging and the Sports Cage..

GOING TO THE FINAL

LAS VEGAS -- The Regina Hornets defeated the Las Vegas Bulldogs 52-48 in the 2-3 playoff game here at the Las Vegas Easter Showcase. Jennifer Tonita led the Hornets with 12 points. Britton Belyk had eight points and Rebecca Burns six for the winners. Regina will oppose the Las Vegas Elite in the championship final at 2:30 at the Pearson Community Centre.

ANOTHER UPDATE

LAS VEGAS -- Britton Belyk led the Regina Hornets with 16 points in a 52-15 thrashing of the Next Level at the Las Vegas Easter Showcase Friday night. The Hornets finished the round robin at 2-1 and face the Las Vegas Bulldogs in the 2-3 playoff game Saturday morning at the Pearson Community Center.