Sandra's WK7 CFL Power Grouping

I had a mind blowing experience while drawing this weeks Power Grouping graphic.  The 8 Track tape is called 8 because if you turn an eight sideways it's the infinity symbol and an 8 Track plays forever aka infinity.  * gasp *

I gifted myself a new pack of 36 Staedtler Double Ended markers especially for Power Grouping!

OK.  Fine.  On with Week 7 in the Canadian Football League

A - For the Record

These days vinyl is the cream of the music listening crop.  Scratch that! Cancel the parade in Winnipeg!  The two best teams in the league took on each other and only one could come out victorious and that team was the Hamilton Tigercats.  The Blue Bombers who had a slow start in week 6 came out with a similar mind set and just never got going but also when you have 6 turnovers in a game it's next to impossible to pull out a win.  There's only one team in the CFL who is capable of making multiple mistakes and recovering and that team is the Calgary Stampeders.  Bo Levi remains on the sidelines with Nick Arbuckle under Quarterback.  One thing I've learned is that you can never count out the Calgary Stampeders.  They just find a way to win.

B - Cassette Tape

B Group is a mixed tape that's been wound tight with a number 8 pencil.  The thing about mixed tapes are that they are songs put together from different artists and genres but together make the best tape ever.  These 3 teams are working together like that mixed tape.  They are finding ways to limit the mistakes and work together striving for the same goal.  The Eskimos keep plugging along with Trevor Harris at the helm and as it stands, besides the Lions $700,000 Mike Reilly and the Bombers Matt Nichols, is the only veteran who hasn't missed game time.  The Roughriders won back to back meetings against the BC Lions and Cody Fajardo is looking better each week.  After dismissing their defensive line coach last week we were all wondering if the defense would stutter but if that were to happen it's wouldn't be against the Lions whose offensive woes continue.  Their only set back was special teams play which I'm sure will be much more in line in Week 8 against the Ticats.  The Alouettes haven't missed a beat since Vernon Adams Jr took over leading the team and Krazy Kavis was sent packing.  Interesting how one change can have such a huge impact.  How will they respond after their Bye Week?

C - 8 Track

If Group B has a tightly wound tape then Group C's tape is caught in the machine between tracks and spewing out all over.  What's happened to the Ottawa Redblacks?  If it weren't for a head scratching decision by Head Coach Rick Campbell they may have eeked out a win against the Stampeders.  When they seem to have a chance they shoot themselves in the foot.  The BC Lions are still searching for the track.  As I mentioned above their offensive line is just dismal.  If you are going to spend the moola on an "elite" quarterback you better have the hoggies to protect him and the Lions just do not.  Ryan Lankford did prove himself with two big special teams plays but he was the only player who showed up.  Ufdah.  The Argonauts are at the bottom of the heap again.  They desperately need a quarterback and every time I watch this team I am reminded of 2015 where the Riders kept saying we had the talent but just couldn't win.  When teams start having these types of issues and at this point in the season have losing records do we see firings?  In this age of the coaching cap is that something that can even happen?  If they did decide to cut a coach loose, who is available to take over?  These 3 teams may be stuck for the long haul.

5 Ways to Affordably Attend a Riders Game

Over the last couple of weeks talk around the water coolers aka social media has been about dwindling attendance across the Canadian Football League.  Even my Saskatchewan Roughriders who usually boast sell out crowds during the toughest of schedules have seen a slump.  Lot's of people say that it's just gotten too expensive to attend a game. I'm here to tell you that there are ways that anyone can go to a Roughrider game in Regina Saskatchewan and not break the bank in doing so.  You may not like what I'm going to tell you but it is all the truth.  We have to make choices and sometimes we can't have all the things we want.  If our committment is to the game and the GAME is the experience then we have to make certain concessions (no pun intended) in our life to make it possible. 

In this blog post I will tell you how you can do it and do it easily with a little planning.

1.  You need to secure your tickets to the game.  If you are already a season ticket holder like I am you've already gotten them and paid for them too.  If not then you either need to phone the Roughrider Ticket office (1-888-474-3377) or book them online Game Day Tickets.  Before you do this you should look at a map of the stadium and decide how important it is to you to sit in certain sections.  If you have a family I'd suggest the end zone.  There is easy access to entry/exit with the Rider Transit right out side.  The washrooms are close by as well.   A ticket will likely cost around $50 per adult with youth pricing also available.  Be aware that some games cost more to attend than others.  The Labour Day Classic is one of those popular games and a ticket will cost more.

There isn't a lot a person can do for $50.  Concert tickets are far more than that depending on the act you're seeing.  The last concert I attended was Alabama and my front row tickets were $300 each but again it was a once in a life time opportunity and I jumped at it.  $50 for an evening of Roughrider football is a pretty good time in my opinion.  $50 x 4 for a family = $200 approx.  My own season tickets are priced around the $85 mark per ticket in section 118.

Gone are the days where you can decide spur of the moment to attend a CFL game.

2.  How will I get to the game?  Regina has Rider Transit to and from every game.  Do not pay for parking.  Park for free at any of the drop points in the city and all you have to do is show your ticket and you ride to the game for free.  No need to battle parking lot rage or the blocked streets or park in someone's yard only to find out you can't get out for 2 other vehicles that pulled in behind you.  Find all the details at City of Regina.  I park at the Northgate Mall because I drive from Saskatoon.  It's the easiest place for me to get in and out of the city quickly...and after a loss we want out - right - now.

3.  Fine, but what about fuel to get to the game?  If you live close to Regina bravo!  If you are like me and drive 2 or more hours to every Roughrider home game start looking for discounts on fuel.  At Save On Foods you can link your More card to Petro-Canada and get points/rebates.  That's all fine and dandy but I can do better.  During the months of July and August when you purchase groceries at a Saskatoon Co-Op store or items at the Agro Store you are presented with a receipt which you can take directly to the gas station to redeem for up to 15 cents a litre off gas depending on how much is spent in store.  Plus when shopping at the Co-Op you get equity which translates directly to savings in your pocket when they send out their membership reports.  I just received mine this month.  Cha-ching!  In my Honda Civic I get to Regina and back on a tank of gas with a few spins around the city to spare.

I have an alternative if you don't want to drive to Regina.  How about riding with a bus load of other rowdy and rabid Roughrider fans? Engleheim has chartered buses that leave Saskatoon at the Circle Centre Mall by the Co-Op store.  For $50 you can ride the Game Day Express.  It leaves 3.5 hours before kick off arriving 1 hour prior to the game.  

4.  But I have to eat at the game.  Do you?  I am not a drinker so I've never partaken in purchasing beer at a game.  That's on you.  If you decide to have a beer you simply have to pay the price.  So that's why I ask if you really need it.  You also don't need to eat at Mosaic Stadium either.  A&W is a Game Day sponsor.  EVERY Roughrider home game day they have special pricing.  Mama burgers are $2.99.  Breakfast sandwiches are on sale and guess what?  A family of 4 can get the family combo for $24.99.  Four burgers, four French fries and four drinks.  That's a good deal.  Last Saturday July 20th it was free root beer day.  I took advantage of that and stopped on the Albert Street location.  We each had a burger and root beer and it cost us $6.  If you plan ahead in your travels then why not plan to eat before the football game?  You avoid the prices and line ups at the stadium.

5.  My kids need snacks and water.  Sure!  So do I!  Remember back in number 3 I said when you shop at the Co-Op they pass that saving on to you in fuel?  Head to the Co-Op and stock up on fun treats for the game.  We typically take Cheezies, granola bars, fruit gummies & cookies.  We also buy flats of sealed water specifically for football games.  Mosaic Stadium security allows you to take in sealed water and your own snacks.  I put mine in clear baggies just as I would if I were going through airport security.  I've never ever had an issue going into Mosaic Stadium.  I pack these things in the clear bag which came with my season tickets.  Security has told me they love these bags because searching them is a breeze.  You can also buy these bags in every Rider Store for $8.  The bag is a sturdy clear plastic with the Roughrider logo on it.  It's lightweight and super easy to tote to the game.

Well I've given you a list of great ways to be able to take in a game and support our Riders.  Now that I've given away all my secrets I hope to see more of you taking in these fantastic offers!  I'd also be curious to see what promotions there are in other cities and if similar things are offered in other CFL destinations in Canada.  If you know of any let me know and I'll share the information with the CFL Family.  Don't forget to check out my previous posts including Power Grouping, thanks for reading and Go Riders!