Finally Friday! Regina Bound!

Lets throw some thoughts at the keyboard and see what sticks...

The Swift Current Broncos home away from home for the 2010 WHL playoffs will be the Brandt Center in Regina. The Broncos are getting the boot from the Credit Union i-Plex for the 2010 Ford World Women's Curling Championships. While sexy sweepers take to the ice in Swift...I predict a VERY pro Bronco crowd in Regina.

Why? Am I nuts? What about the Regina/Swift Current rivalry?

Regina will embrace the Broncos because of the team Swift Current has...and the opposition. Regardless of the opponent being Brandon, Calgary or Saskatoon it is a neutral sight game. When people don't have an emotional or financial investment in a team...they will instinctively cheer for the underdog. It's hard wired. We can't help it. Swift will be the underdog. I team that barely made the playoffs that got the boot from it's own rink.

People also root against the villian. Saskatoon has a team full of "love to hate players". Calgary is the league powerhouse...The annoying neighbour with the nice house, the new boat and the perfect children. The Broncos are the small town team just trying to get some extra playoff revenue for some new toys for the dressing room. People relate to that. That match up would turn into a Sask vs. Alberta match up...and Regina people are passionate for all things Saskatchewan.

and if it's Brandon...

The second Kelly McCrimmon tries to bend the ear of the officials and sway things in favor of the Wheat Kings...the sports saavy Regina crowd will turn on him and the Wheat Kings in a heartbeat. Mark Lamb is the hard working coach that talks to his players, not the stripes.

...and Cody Eakin is the kind of hockey player fans love to cheer.

Some people in Regina may say they're pulling for "anyone but Swift Current". By the time the series hits the Brandt Center...I bet you some Brandt Ceter mini donuts they have a change of heart. The Broncos have grown on Swift Current over the last 24 years...they'll grow on Regina too.

R$

ryan@alphavoice.ca

18 Days Til The 2010 Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Swift Current

The Olympics were very successful for our Canadian curlers...and with only a few weeks until the 2010 World Womens in Swift Current...a curling vid. No explanation needed.



R$

ryan@alphavoice.ca

Campaigning Fail

Did you watch the Men's Ice Hockey Gold Medal game on Sunday?

Of course you did. 16 million Canadians watched it.

Did you see federeal NDP Leader Jack Layton mugging for the camera at Wayne Gretzky's in Toronto?

Everyone's favortie mustachioed, socialist leader in the house of commons saw a great opportunity to get some face time on our nation's biggest sports broadcast ever.

...and he wasn't thrilled when a legit hockey fan got between him and the camera during the celebrations. Check out the video below. Bottom of the screen at :14, see Jack move a young lady's arm out of the way so he can get some nation wide CTV love. The awkward glance she gave him as he posed was pretty funny.

Jack Layton Wants To Make Sure You See Him Celebrating That Goal! from Torontoist on Vimeo.

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ryan@alphavoice.ca

Separated at Birth?

I know there is another blog that is known for the "separated at birth thing. This one was haunting me all afternoon yesterday until I put it together.



San Jose Sharks Captain/Olympic Gold Medal Winner/Pride of Aneroid Patrick Marleau.

and...












CTV Weather forecasting troubador/Pride of Wolseley JC Garden.

photo courtesy CTV

R$

ryan@alphavoice.ca

Awesome!

Thanks to Golden West radio news hound Colin Powers for pointing this video out.

This is perhaps the best description of the Canada/US relationship I've ever seen. This comes from American journalist Tom Brokaw. He hits it all. Accurate and unbiased.




R$

ryan@alphavoice.ca

White Out In Swift

Fog, freezing drizzle and temperatures around zero degrees have given Swift Current a frozen over "Day After Tomorrow" type of look.

R$

ryan@alphavoice.ca

Field of Dreams This Saturday/Cannon Fodder For Speakers

This Saturday night in Swift Current, Rider running back Wes Cates and NHL legend Gerry Cheevers will hopefully find their way through the fog to the Legion. It's the annual Field of Dreams Fundraising Dinner for the Swift Current Indians WMBL team.

Yesterday, my good friend Cory, who has been to many of these dinners, remarked how I've been abused verbally by guest speakers over the years. After I introduce the speakers, a quick jab at me tends to follow. I'm going on memories for these so it may not be exact. Some of the highlights include...



Rider Receiver Matt Dominguez: (whispering in my ear just after the introduction) "Go back and do it again...this time introduce me as a 2007 Grey Cup Champion".






Former Leader Post Editor Bob Hughes: "Thank you very much Ryan...(pause)...for sitting down and shutting up.












Rider Fullback Chris Szarka, after I made a joke about his saw accident: "It's great coming to a community and meeting great people and having a great time...but someone always ruins that...and in Swift Current that always seems to be Ryan. (showing a fist with his grey cup ring) Yeah Ryan, I got all ten fingers and I'll use them to put 2007 Grey Cup Champions on your forehead."



NHL Legend Dennis Hull: "Thank you very much...whoever you are! I always love coming to a place like Swift Current and getting introduced by a total nobody."







NHL Penalty Minute King Dave "Tiger" Williams: "I can't believe I come home to Swift Current and I get introduced by some guy with an earring. Every town has a queer".

I have since not worn any piercings.



R$

ryan@alphavoice.ca

Tuesday Brain Dump

Finally an update! Life has been busy...and without my valuable crackberry, keeping up to date in the over communicated world has been tough.

But you come to this blog to be entertained...and not for excuses!



Family Day Disaster!

An elderly woman drove into Pharmasave on Monday. I'm guessing she wasn't texting and driving...but you never know. Thanks to Swift Current Online for the photo. Personally, I would have tried to get closer than 100 yards away to take the picture...but that's just me.



Family Show...at the Casino???

Friday night I was honored to MC a show for the Swift Current Allied Arts Council's Koncerts for Kids program. It was Magical Moments in Time, with illusionist Ted Outerbridge and his wife/assistant Marion.

Marion's costume choices pushed the "family show" boundaries. They're from Quebec...that's how they roll.

I was talking to Ted and Marion backstage and they were confused by the idea of a family show at a casino. The Living Sky Casino staff did an awesome job of separating the kids from the black jack tables.

Speaking of the casino...

The Sky Center continues to be my home away from home. This Sunday, Lasting Impressions Photography is hosting a wedding show. Doors open at 1. You getting married in 2010? You can get advance tickets at The Glass Slipper Spa, Body Fit and the Lasting Impressions studio.

...and yes, I do see a hint of irony in a guy who is going through a separation hosting a wedding show.



In a 24 hour span this weekend, I will have MC'd a sportsman's dinner and a wedding show. This Saturday is the night Rider running back Wes Cates and Boston Bruins legend Gerry Cheevers are in town for the annual Swift Current Indians fundraising dinner. This is ALWAYS a fun event. Get tickets from your favorite Swift Current Indians board member.



Photo from South West TV News

I did not MC any pow-wow related events this past weekend though. Maybe next year. How did Swift Current's first Pow Wow go? I heard 1000 people at the Stockade.

I hit the casino to gamble on Saturday night. It was my first time at the black jack table...ever. I owe a huge thanks to the dealer and others at the table for being patient with me. First time at the table...several drinks into the evening and I stayed on 8 and asked for hit on 19. The pony-tailed pit boss was itching to throw me out in the cold.



I prefer the tom boyish, Monday to Friday on TSN, non made up Jennifer Hedger to the big haired, too much foundation, dress wearing version covering the Olympic Games. I bet she doesn't know how to walk in heels.

I think the Olympic coverage has been spectacular. TSN and sportsnet working together??? Incredible. This is Canadian television at it's finest.

R$

ryan@alphavoice.ca