It’s my Parting Shot for my reactions to the headlines in today’s Star-Phoenix Sports Section…..

First headline…Roughriders rely on old M.O. during hold-on-tight victory over Winnipeg, Team overcomes slow start, mistakes but ends up with the win. My reaction…That old M.O. includes a stalwart defence – except when holding a lead in the fourth quarter, the lack of reliable place-kicking from Brett Lauther and a passing game that could use an influx of guys named Samuel Emilus, Kian Schaeffer-Baker and Shawn Bane Junior to go along with N-F-L returnee Ajou Ajou so that Trevor Harris can throw for 300-plus yards like every other quarterback in the C-F-L is able to do without appearing to really have to try! But, I’m nit-picking – like Rider Nation tends to and I should slap myself for doing so – because the Saskatchewan Roughriders have a 9-and-2 record, the best after 11 games of a season in franchise history, and the best mark in the entire league! Really, no complaining allowed! At least for this week!!

Next headline…10 thoughts – Riders and Bombers produce another classic, Not a lot of sitting for standing-room only crowd during Labour Day game. Reaction…first, the game wasn’t on Labour Day!! That was Monday, the game was played on Sunday. If Saskatchewan and Winnipeg really want to play a proper Labour Day Classic, then switch the game to Monday – otherwise it’s proper name is the Labour Day Weekend Classic, making the acronym L-D-W-C not L-D-C! My apologies for an extra letter!! Second, it was the first sell-out of the season for the Green and White – good, but not really worth crowing too much about, considering Saturday’s Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg will be the 11th consecutive sell-out, dating back to last year and including the playoffs! Rider Nation has a long ways to go, you know!!

Last headline…Calvert bookends camps with Kirkness Cup wins. My reaction…For a guy like Rowan Calvert, I’m happy for any success he has – fine, young man who comes from a great family out of Moose Jaw. But, it’s only training camp – which is why I only went for some of the final day, more just to say hi and reacquaint myself with all involved with the Saskatoon Blades’ organization. Now that there’s pre-season games being played, my 32nd season of closely following the W-H-L is officially underway – and I know a lot of folks close to all 23 teams feel the same way!!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!