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

First headline…Church becomes all-time leader in games played for the Sask. Rush, N-L-L season is off and running with big win over Roughnecks setting the tone. My reaction…there have been three constants for Saskatchewan Rush fans, ever since the team moved to Saskatoon from Edmonton in the summer of 2015 – death, taxes and Robert Church in the line-up! And, not just in the line-up and taking up roster space, Church has contributed offensively and as a leader. In that opening win over arch-rival Calgary, Church scored four goals in the 16-13 decision. He will retire some day – after all he is 34 years old – but Rush fans can only hope that isn’t for a while yet!!

Next headline…Nationals send L-H-P Ferrer to Mariners. Reaction…what a throw-away headline and story! You’d think that Toronto-based Post Media would be all over baseball’s Winter Meetings and all the rumours surrounding the suddenly-popular Blue Jays! Every day, it seems that the reigning American League champions and World Series runners-up appear ready to throw massive amounts of cash at any and every, big-name available free agent! I’d still prefer to see them get Bo Bichette under contract – and I don’t care about the injuries of the last two seasons! To me, today’s Toronto Blue Jays are Vladimir Guerrero Junior and Bo Bichette. I’m slowly warming to the ways of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins at the top of the Jays’ food chain, but they can sign all the free agents like pitcher Dylan Cease that they want – not signing Bo Bichette, to me, will be an epic fail on them!!

Last headline…His swagger is back, Flames’ Parekh brimming with confidence heading off to join the world junior camp. My reaction…my initial was to go, hold on – Zayne Parekh in the N-H-L at age 19 and he has swagger?! Get serious!! He should be thanking his lucky stars to be in The Show! Then, I saw the secondary headline and I’m on side with Parekh having his swagger back because, after back-to-back fifth place finishes, Canada needs all of their players to have swagger – and back it up with their performance – over the next four weeks at the World Junior Championship. Not being in the final and winning gold will be unacceptable!!

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