Grandmas birthday.

Almost 90 Bushmans were gathered at Smileys restaurant in Saskatoon this past Sunday for my grandmas 85th birthday. It was a real treat to see almost everyone from the family. With 10 kids, grandma has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren - it was great to hang out with all of those that were there.

Tuesday's Thoughts

From a local curling event to Tiger Woods finding his old self, this week I give you my thoughts on some of the topics to hit the sports waves.

• There was some really good calibre curling action in Watrous at the Tim Hortons provincial mixed curling championship. The event, which drew 16 teams to town, saw the Jeff Hartung rink from Langenburg take home the championship. The team charged through the round-robin but lost in the page playoff game to a team they would eventually beat in the finals. Hats off to the volunteers, organizing committee and community for putting on a good event. The Hartung rink now heads to nationals in November.

• This point still remains from last week: I can’t wait for golf season to start. 

• Tiger Woods won a golf tournament. Woods took home top spot at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, going from a one-stroke lead to a five-stroke victory. That gives the former number one some momentum heading into the Masters. I think he would have to be considered a favourite to win the Masters although I still have reservations about Woods returning to his old form.

• The one tournament my brother and I look forward to is the Masters. There have been some incredible matches played at that event, including by Canada’s Mike Weir who won the green jacket and, of course, my favourite golfer Phil Mickelson who has taken home his fair share of green coats. 

• It would be nice to see a Mickelson and Woods finale at the Masters. 

• The NHL season was about as tight for the final playoff spots as it could get. Teams were fighting for that final eighth spot in the east and west and I think it will literally come down to the last day of the regular season to determine who gets in and who does not. That final day is next Saturday. 

• Who would have thought that the return of Sidney Crosby would have propelled the Penguins on a big winning streak? I know he is good but that team is peaking at the right time. Look out for them in the east.

• How about my pick of Kansas making it to the final four in college basketball? I was quite shocked that at least one of my teams made it. After taking Kansas to go deep for the past few years, they get to the final four. I originally had Kansas and BYU to make it to the finals but BYU’s fate was sealed before getting that far.

• The ‘Riders bring in the former mayor of Swaggerville, Odell Willis. I like the move as they gave up a pair of picks for the all-star. Willis will help put pressure on the opposing quarterback, something the ‘Riders need help with after last year’s season. Willis has been touted as a bit of a high-maintenance guy but if he can come in and keep his wits about him, I think the team will be in good shape heading into this season.

• My early predictions said the green and white and B.C. will be clawing it out for top spot in the CFL’s west while Hamilton and Toronto will be busy trying to dislodge Montreal from tops in the east.

• I was also reminded last week by my buddy Nathan that my picks flat out stink. Every time I predict someone to do something, they don’t. That is true if you recall my horrid NFL playoff picks and the fact that my Flames are once again looking for early bookings to golf courses around Calgary. So, because of my bad picks, he is not taking my advice in what I say.

Thursday's Thoughts

Highlighted by the Peyton Manning announcement Monday that he is suiting up for the Denver Broncos this season, here are some of my observations from around the sports world.

• Manning in means Tim Tebow is out. The former Florida Gator standout was put on the trade block early last week as Manning joined the Broncos. I liked Tebow to land in Jacksonville or Miami but he was dealt to the New York Jets. That deal was a weird one after they gave incumbent Mark Sanchez an extension. They did need a backup but I bet Sanchez gets benched less than four games in. That or the Jets will not be that great because of all the hype now surrounding them. 

• Tebow will be playing in NFL Europe or in the CFL in three years. I love the quarterback’s heart and determination but don’t think the NFL has quite the same opinion. 

• New Orleans was hit hard by the NFL for offering its players incentives for taking opponents out of games. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for a year, the team lost draft picks and other personnel were reprimanded. The NFL made an example out of the Saints but you have to believe this sort of thing is happening across the board. I was shocked at the discipline dealt out.

• The Tim Hortons provincial mixed curling championships are being held in Watrous this week and weekend. Teams from across the province headed to this town. Hats off to a great event.

• There were a bunch of upsets in this year’s March Madness tournament. The national basketball event in the United States proved once again that just because you are ranked high doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to move on. Ask Duke who took a huge blow in the opening round and was out of the tournament.

• I took Kansas and BYU to make it to the finals in the NCAA tournament.

• Baseball fans are getting pumped up about another season. I am taking part in my annual ball draft, about which I really know nothing. Unfortunately, my record in the fantasy drafts would be comparable to some of those abysmal ones of the ‘Jays that people have witnessed in the past.

• From what I am hearing, Toronto may have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs this year in the majors.

• I still can’t wait for golf season to start. 

• The NHL playoff race is going to come down to the wire. With less than 10 games to go, it will be a good finish. Early last week there were seven points separating eighth and 13th in the eastern division. In the west, two points separated seventh and 11th.

• I hope the Jets make it into the playoffs this year.

• Of course, I hope Calgary gets into the postseason but when they lose to the two worst teams in the league, especially at this point in the year, then they almost don’t deserve it.

• My early favourites to win: Nashville and Pittsburgh.

• The WHL playoffs look to be good. Saskatoon gets a tough Medicine Hat crew while what could be a beauty of a series has the Regina Pats up against the Moose Jaw Warriors. 

• The Humboldt Broncos are rolling in SJHL action. The team should be in fine form as they host this year’s RBC Cup.

Sports musings for a Monday

Here are some thoughts on a Monday morning from the sports world:

• Ontario’s Glenn Howard is a force to be reckoned with. Howard’s rink dominated at the Brier in Saskatoon and will do well representing Canada at the Worlds.

• The NHL playoff race is as tight as it has ever been. With less than 15 games to go seven teams in the east were separated by 10 points for the eighth and final playoff spot while seven teams were 10 points apart from seventh to 13th in the west. Whoever catches on fire in the late going will get in. It is also a terrible time to take a tail spin. Just ask San Jose who was 2-6-2 in its last 10 early last week. They went from fourth or fifth all the way down to 11th.

• Who is going to win the Peyton Manning sweepstakes? I say Miami or Arizona are the likely suitors. I was intrigued that he visited Denver two weeks ago. That apparently ‘rattled’ Tim Tebow as one reporter suggested. That reporter also said he would more than likely be dealt if Manning signed with Denver.

• If Manning signs with the Broncos, which I think is a long-shot, watch Jacksonville or Miami to make a ploy to bring in Tebow. Even if he struggles, having him back in Florida should boost ticket sales in those areas since the quarterback was a Florida Gator.

• As an Eagles’ fan I am more than happy to have Mike Vick as our quarterback. Other than Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers, Vick is who I would want behind centre. Of course there is also a guy named Tom Brady but my brother-in law’s team can keep him.

• How many people wish that the CFL would get started for another season? All it took was a few nice days outside and I got the itch for the football season.

• You can also add golf to that list. I can’t wait for that sport to get going again around here. 

• Will Tiger Woods ever return to his former form? I don’t think so. Woods recently pulled out of a tournament after starting the day with an outside chance at winning. Wood struggled and by hole 12 headed to the parking lot after wincing in pain with an apparent tight Achilles tendon. I think Woods’ best days are behind him although he still has some fight left in him as he has shown every so often.

• I think the PGA Tour is seeing a youth movement. What started last year has moved into this year. Golfers like Rory McIlroy have taken centre stage and it’s pretty cool to watch some youngsters make some great shots. Not to mention McIlroy is now ranked number one in the world.

• The March Madness of college basketball starts this week. College teams in the United States are vying for ultimate supremacy. I have tried to pick a correct bracket for years. Even though I’m not a basketball fan, March Madness is as intense as it gets for hoops’ fans. I won’t even venture a guess as to who wins this year although I have always picked Kansas to go far.

• Going back to the CFL for a bit. Here is a bold prediction: Darian Durant will be in the top-two for quarterbacks this year. Take it with a grain of salt since that statement is coming from a ‘Riders fan but I think he will bounce back after a rough year. Having Khari Jones as a quarterback coach will help. If Durant is not in the top two this year he will be by next season.

• Will Hamilton and Toronto get over the hump this year? With Grey Cup 100 in Toronto, the Argonauts will be doing everything possible to get into the finale. Hamilton has a solid short-term solution at quarterback and with Andy Fantuz may be able to get there too. I think both clubs give Winnipeg and Montreal a run for their money in the east.

• The ‘Riders will not be as bad as last year. With so much turnover in the west, the green and white and the defending champs, the B.C. Lions will be the teams to beat. Edmonton is such a wild card after their moves at quarterback and Calgary’s young pivot Drew Tate will determine the team’s fate.

Brier 2012

Here are some more pics from the Brier - Gushue vs Howard.

Brier bound

Had a chance to go to the Brier in Saskatoon. It was a terrific time with buddy Cory Hawkes however the teams we were pulling for lost the Sunday afternoon draw.