It’s my Parting Shot for my reactions to the headlines in today’s Star-Phoenix Sports Section…..
Actually, with only one page devoted to sports today and only three articles – one of which I don’t care to make comment about because it’s about hooliganism in European football – there will be just two reactions, plus an appearance by The Fearless Predictor with some picks for this week’s Master’s golf tournament!
First headline…W-H-L Draft Lottery, Here’s what you need to know, Edmonton Oil Kings have the best odds to land the first overall pick this year. My reaction…tomorrow’s drawing of a bingo ball is moreso fraught with speculation of a conspiracy theory than it is with who will be the first overall selection on May 8th. For the latter, it’s universally conceded that Maddox Schultz of Regina, who led the Saskatchewan Under-18 Triple-A League in scoring, will be that choice! Which of Edmonton, Regina or Kelowna wins the lottery and the chance to select Schultz is what is under debate. The Oil Kings have the best odds, but there are those who believe the Pats are fated to win and pick the home-town phenom. Then, there’s the Rockets – owned by former Saskatoon Blades’ mid-70s scoring star Bruce Hamilton, who is also the Chairman of the Board for the league – leaving many feeling Kelowna will win the first selection and trade it somewhere to get player help for next season when the Rockets host the Memorial Cup! Buckle up, it’ll be an interesting Thursday morning!!
Last headline…Canada’s Primerano preps for world championship debut, B-C native, 18, will be youngest defender with women’s national team since 1994. My reaction…if the female game’s phenom Chloe Primerano can be anywhere as good and as effective as Cheryl Pounder, the previous youngest Canadian national player, was right out of the gate – that only makes Canada that much more of a favourite to win another World title!!
As for The Masters, The Fearless Predictor tends to go with the prevailing wisdom of the experts that defending champion Scottie Scheffler and career major slam wannabe Rory McIlroy are the favourites. I look at three statistical categories as being key to win the prestigious first major of the year – putting, scrambling and Par 5 under-par proficiency. McIlroy has the edge on Scheffler in putting and Par 5 under-par proficiency while Scheffler is the better scrambler. As a result, I’m going with the sentimental favourite McIlroy to finally don a green jacket. But, if you’re looking for a dark horse who rates highly in all three of those statistical areas, take a flyer on Si Woo Kim!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
