Heh-heh, Bombers ‘blow’d up real guud’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/06/2009 (6209 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT’S June, and the Moose are in Her­shey, the Goldeyes just came back from Kansas City and the Bombers are about to open main training camp Sunday. Must have a lot of giddy sports fans in town these days, so let’s tee off with a few items since the weather is too insipid to, you know, tee off…

To say Bomb­ers’ training camp will be a revela­tion would be a gross understate­ment. They’ve got more question marks than the Riddler’s outfit.

But most of them are good ques­tions, at least for now.

Remember, a lot of folks were call­ing for this team to be overhauled last October. Well, in the words of departed thespian John Candy, the Bombers "blow’d up real guud."

New head coach Mike Kelly and player personnel guy John Murphy spent the last few months signing/ waiving/trading/auditioning a seem­ingly endless stream of players.

They’ve revamped the offensive line.

They’ve beefed up the defensive front seven. They’ve brought in a few more kickers.

Pretty much the only thing not new is the stadium, but that’s another story entirely. (Note to self: Why don’t we hear about David Asper’s stadium as much these days?) And it could all work out famously, too… if Stefan LeFors or Ryan Dinwid­die or Bryan Randall or James Kilian or Darrell Hackney can play quarter­back.

As Bob Cameron would always refrain, "The rest is just window dress­ing."

Still, can’t wait to see what’s in all those windows. Also can’t wait until the Hamilton Tiger-Bombers come to town.

***

Circle Tuesday, June 9 on your calen­dar, puck heads. Because how’s this for an aligning of the stars?

That’s the day the Moose play Game 5 of the Calder Cup final in Hershey.

It’s the day the Penguins and Detroit Red Wings will stage Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final in Pittsburgh. And it’s also the day a bankruptcy court judge will decide the fate of the Phoe­nix Coyotes.

Theoretically, both championships could be decided and Jim Balsillie could get the OK to move the Coyotes to Hamilton — on the same day.

Gentlemen, start your sports pages.

We’re betting it won’t happen, though, because there’s every indica­tion the Calder Cup will probably be decided in Winnipeg, as a sweep by either Hershey or Manitoba in Penn­sylvania would be highly unlikely. And the Pens and Wings, hopefully, will go the limit.

Still, it’s going to be a harried day in the toy department. And no matter how it sorts out, tongues will be wagging Wednesday morning.

***

OK, it was bad enough that our resident raconteur/sports writer Gary Lawless conned CJOB into giving he and Andrew Paterson — who is ac­tually known as Hustler — a radio gig every weeknight (6 p.m.-8 p.m.) begin­ning on Monday. Then Lawless literally talked his way onto the MTS/Shaw broadcasts (doing colour commentary) for Games 3, 4 and 5 of the Calder Cup final from Hershey. But a shudder ran down my spine when we got wind that TSN 2 might pick up the production, too. Really, just the thought of Lawless on national TV is frightening. I would have to exorcise my television. Alas, it could still happen if negotiations with the network can be ironed out.

***

It must have been a little weird for Manitoba Moose head coach Scott Arniel, in the midst of a Calder Cup final, to turn on his television and see that the Colorado Avalanche just hired Joe Sacco.

After all, Sacco’s Lake Erie Monsters (34-38-5) didn’t even make the AHL post-season. Arniel’s Moose won 50 regular-season games.

Of course, Arniel is going to get his shot at an NHL gig; it’s just a matter of when and where. Besides, he’s kinda busy these days.

***

Finally, a shoutout to our friend and colleague Chris Cariou, who picked a lousy time to be lounging around in hospital.

I mean, there’s, like, all three pro teams operating for the first time we can remember. And Cariou can cover them all, with aplomb.

Get well soon, buddy. You’ve been missed.

randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca