The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
I have a confession to make. I didn't watch the Scott Tournament of Hearts. I didn't even watch the highlights. And I won't be watching the Brier this weekend, either. The truth is, while most people are saying good riddance to the NHL, I am going through withdrawals and have yet to find a substitute that satisfies my cravings. The closest thing to sports that excites me these days is MXC on Spike. Maybe it is the total disregard for human life, but I enjoy watching those poor people torturing themselves in those ridiculous contests. I may watch The Contender on ABC when it starts up, but it isn't sports. I've tried watching a couple hockey games in the Swedish Elite League, but the fans over there just don't care, the players don't seem to care, so why should I? Is there anything that can get me through these dark times? I must confess that I am addicted to watching celebrity poker, and I play as much as I can. I have Texas Hold'em down to a science, so if anyone wants to get a game going, I'm all-in. This week I asked the panel if they miss hockey, and what they are doing to replace it in their lives. Most people spent the weekend watching curling. "I gotta say it was one of the best Scotts in recent memory, and not just because Colleen Jones lost out. A whole new breed of female gameplay is coming, playing far more aggressively, and overall, just a more entertaining and talented game. A few years ago, you didn't see a lot of the aggressive play that you did this year. It was fantastic to watch, and go Jennifer Jones go, bring us the Worlds." - Jeff K. "I can't say that I miss hockey as of yet, but I am sure over the next month or so when the playoffs shouldÊ be getting underway, I will start to miss it. I have watched a few of the AHL games on Sports-net, and have caught a couple WHL games on Shaw cable. This past week curling fans were treated to some of the best female curling in a long long time. It was great to see a lot of young teams in the hunt and curling at the top of their game. The final was a great game, and while I was pleased to see Manitoba win, you couldn't help but feel sorry for Ontario who had full control of the game right from the start.ÊOne mistake in the tenth end and she losses the national championship. Oh well, I guess that's why they play the game." - Steve M. "I thought I would have problems with no NHL to watch but I'm finding I am a lot more interested in the AHL this year even more so than just following the Moose. The games on TV have been really good and I'm starting to pick up on some of the names which makes it even more interesting. Have you ever watched arena football? It really is an interesting game with lots of scoring with most of the players having to play both offence and defence, you can start to identify who everyone is which makes it easier to watch. Curling was really good and because it was anyone but Colleen Jones who won, it was even better. Even Colleen said that Jennifer Jones had the best chance to win but it was nice to see the young rinks from Saskatchewan and Ontario do so well. Look out in the near future for these rinks to come to the front if they can stay together." - Tom T. Maybe I will have to give arena football a shot. For now, I'm starting to get excited about baseball starting up. My interest in MLB lasts as long as the Jays are at least competing. As soon as they drop out of the picture, I start to forget about it. For the last couple seasons I've been following the Cubs, too. It may be a while before I get excited about a championship series, although I will cheer for anyone as long as it isn't the Yankees or the Braves. "I dunno what it is, but the fact that the Grapefruit League is starting up, it's making me excited. Granted, having no hockey all winter might have made me a little stir crazy, but the Jays look like they will be doing really well. Can they compete with the juggernauts? Pretty much no, but it's nice to see 'em playing. I'll be watching the Jays, and hopefully the next I'll hear of hockey is a deal being made. I'm sick of NHL, give me my MLB already." - Jeff K. "I get interested in baseball at the start of spring training and into the first month or so of the season but then it kind of fizzles for me. I still read the box scores every day but I find it hard to sit and watch a full game on TV." - Tom T. On a final note this week, the SJHL released their attendance figures for the past season, and once again, Flin Flon was on top. "I see once again Bomber fans are #1 in the league for attendance. It makes you wonder what the numbers would be if we had a winning team." - Bob H. This weekend I'm going down to Gimli for the Manitoba Broomball Provincials. For those of you who don't know what broomball is, it is like hockey, but you run instead of skate, and there is a rubber paddle and ball instead of a stick and puck. For a hack like myself, I will be lucky to survive this weekend without leaving at least one game on a stretcher. I'll let you know all about it when we get back. If you would like to join the Sports Experts, send me an email to: [email protected].
