Alex Trebek is one of the greatest Canadians to ever live.  Equal parts nerd and jock, Trebek presided over the World’s most famous quiz-show with a sense of authority that never veered towards pretension, a magnetic yet genuine charisma that captivated audience and contestant alike.  As an homage to Alex, my second deep dive will examine the trivia that makes playing in the SMJHL such an immersive experience.  I give you that ever inscrutable Jeapordy! category applied to the SMJHL -  Potpourri. 

For each clue I will give:  the question, the answer, and a general observation about why it piqued my interest.

Potpourri for $400

Q:  Built in 1977 with a seating capacity of 6,733, this arena is home to the Maine Timber.

A:  What is the Cross Insurance Arena.

Observation:  If you are not from New England, then you have probably never heard of Cross Insurance.  What is there to say?  Insurance conjures up images of musty, Main Street offices where dreams get waylaid by the juggernaut that is modernity.  Cross offices are ubiquitous throughout New England, however.  Indeed, Cross manages hundreds of millions of dollars in gross written premiums annually.  As such, this is the perfect home rink for a Portland based team. Head tilted towards the sky, I can almost imagine the neon glow of the company’s logo looming over the arena’s entrance.  

Potpourri for $800

Q:  Founded in season fifty-five, this team’s name is a reference to a Canadian historical site.

A:  Who are the Quebec City Citadelles.

Observation:  An evocative team name that projects both strength and civic pride, capturing the ethos of your run-of-the-mill Québécois.  Forming part of the the city’s famous ramparts - a wall that encircles Old Quebec - the Citadelle has served as both military fortification and diplomatic residence.  The fortification motif extends to the city’s official crest, which depicts the Don de Dieu sailing upon the Saint Lawrence River, the city’s walls towering above the ship’s sails. 

Potpourri for $1200

Q:  This artist’s famous country song “Big Iron” plays after the home-team scores at an Anaheim Outlaws game.

A:  Who is Marty Robbins.

Observation:  Admittedly, this clue is in the deep dive for one reason - Fallout New Vegas is better than any Bethesda entry in the Fallout franchise.  Obsidian is a criminally under-appreciated developer, routinely tasked with turning around major titles in absurd windows. They hit a Grand Slam with New Vegas, which perfectly fuses Southwestern gunslinger culture with Fallout’s campy, Camelot aesthetic.  Long live Texas Red and the New California Republic.  A fitting ballad to celebrate an Outlaw goal.

Potpourri for $1600

Q:  These heated rivals share the same number of Four Star Cup trophies.

A:  Who are the Vancouver Whalers and Kelowna Knights

Observation:  Ali, Frasier; Canadiens, Bruins; Ohio State, Michigan; Whalers, Knights.  What else can you say?  If the Knights prevail over the Newfoundland Berserkers, then either the Citadelles or the Armada will be tasked with maintaining the integrity of this category’s fourth clue.  A perfect rivalry for the SMJHL.

Potpourri for $2000

Q:  This animal serves as the logo for the Nevada Battleborn.

A:  What is the desert bighorn sheep.

Observation:  You might look at Nevada’s logo and see the obvious - a ram.  After all, rams are popular mascots throughout sports, from collegiate athletics to the professional ranks.  However, this clue is for two-thousand dollars, so I must insist upon geographic integrity - that is not a ram your lying eyes see, but rather the desert bighorn sheep.  

I give you some fun facts about the desert bighorn sheep, which is just a ram that lives in the desert.

1. Can weigh up to two-hundred-eighty pounds.
   
2. Typically live for ten to twenty years.
   
3. Social animals that form large herds.
   
4. Males battle each other for dominance, locking horns in Mortal Kombat.
   

Non-SMJHL Trivia

Q:  In No Limit Hold Em, pocket jacks are commonly referred to as these three names.

A:  What are fishhooks, knaves, and traitorous bastards.

Observation:  I hate pocket jacks.

@CheerfulBender20 GRADED! +5 TPE