Almost time to get the Tailgate BBQ's fired up

Between trips to the ball park with the kids on a nightly basis and landscaping a new yard with every other available moment, there hasn't been too much happening in the Blogosphere here at The Tailgater.

When last we talked, we were heading into the Conference Finals of the NHL and Rider Training Camp was still a ways away. Well, TC is upon us and now the Stanley Cup Final is underway. Where did the time go? It's not like I was enjoying the warm weather while sitting out on a patio at my favorite watering hole drinking an ice cold Great Western Pilsner or 2. HA HA!!! I wish. I think summer was here last Saturday....and poof....it was gone.

Sherri Trapp went 1/2 in her picks for the conference finals and by doing so, moved ahead of me by 2 heading into the Cup Finals. That means she is the winner of the inaugural Tailgater NHL Playoff Pool. Sherri, your swag will be waiting for you this Saturday at Griffiths Stadium when the Riders come to town for practice.

Just for interest sake, Sherri did pick the Pens to beat Detroit in The Finals so we shall see what happens tomorrow. I also picked Pittsburgh, with Mitch Blair, Cory Wolfe and TJ Stancil picking the Red Wings to again hoist the championship trophy.

We'll post the final standings when the Stanley Cup Finals are over.

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It seems like it's been forever since that November afternoon when the BC Lions came into Mosaic Stadium and squashed the Roughriders hopes of repeating as Grey Cup Champions. The players, new and old, arrived in Regina over the last week or so to amp it up for the start of the 2009 Season with Rookie Camp followed by Main Camp.

Many are excited to see what the addition of free agent and home town boy, Jason Clermont will bring to the table. In an article done by Mitchell Blair for riderville.com, Clermont seems pretty grounded and insists that job number 1 is securing a roster spot with the green and white. While that seems like a lock, it's the sound of veteran poise and leadership that should have rider fans feeling giddy about his presence in the line-up.

On defense it sounds as though Trumaine "Joe" Sykes has been making his presence felt. Reports have him showing tremendous quickness and winning the battles at the line of scrimmage with the o-linemen.

All of this Rider talk at this time of the year always gets the juices flowing for the upcoming season. The thoughts of the game day experience in and around Mosaic Stadium, seeing lots of great friends and sharing lots of laughs..... All of this makes it a tougher decision to attend far fewer games this year than I have in the past.

Times change, life is busy and family takes precedence this summer. I fully intend to be back full-time for the 2010 season. I'll miss my game day trips with my pals and re-newing my old acquaintances in Section 102. I won't be totally avoiding the place though. I'm looking forward to the Season Opener on July 3rd when Anton McKenzie and Wally Buono are back in town......

In the mean time, keep your stick on the ice and see you at the park.

Thanks for reading!

-T-