Well game day has finally arrived. I’ve been here since Wednesday but it feels like a week. We cover so many angles and hype the game so much it feels like it will never get played. If I feel it’s a long week just imagine how the players and coaches feel. The anticipation for them must be off the charts; however, they handle it like true pros. After all this isn’t the first rodeo for most of them and as Wes Cates said yesterday experience is a great teacher.
The excitement in the city reached a fever pitch last night. Downtown was jammed with fans and you couldn’t go anywhere without waiting but they’ve been patient. They can have fun even if they’re standing in line. Fortunately my media credentials allow me to scoot right in…a nice perk of the job.
Some great entertainment last night. Trooper and Big Sugar played outdoors at Huddle Town while 54 40 was at Tiger Town. I took in the Spirit of Edmonton since I had some tokens to use. Naturally it was jammed with many of the same characters I saw the night before at Riderville. They had the Winnipeg Police Pipe band in there along with a terrific stage band and various cheerleading squads performing as well. Thankfully none of the girls hit their heads on the ceiling when they were hurled in the air. When we left, the people at the door thanked everyone for coming…you don’t see that everyday.
I saw Regina real estate mogul Brooks Findlay yesterday. He’s a former Rider of course. He was hanging with Dan Rashovich, a member of the Riders ’89 grey cup team.
Well it’s time to get dialled in. The teams are ready, the fans are ready and I’m ready. I’ve been asked many times for a prediction and I keep saying I don’t know any more than you do but I have a good feeling about this one. The Als are very good and should be favoured but I think the karma is with the Riders. They’ve beaten two good teams to get here; it’s the centennial and then there’s the matter of exorcising the ghost of the 13 the man. I also think Darian Durant is poised to become a true star in this game. The nation wants to explode and a Rider win will touch off a party here and in Saskatchewan the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Despite the Als best efforts to spoil it I say it happens. Riders 34 Als 23.Enjoy the game.
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