Prince George, B.C. – Not even the legendary Canadian heavyweight boxer George Chavalo could take a punch like the Prince George Spruce Kings, and Chuvalo was never knocked down in 93 professional fights (1956-1979).

 

How many more “blows” can the Spruce Kings withstand? Over the past couple of years, the Spruce Kings have:

·         Witnessed the death of their closest “friend”, the Williams Lake Timberwolves;

·         Witnessed the death of their best friend and longtime rival Quesnel Millionaires (moved
to Chilliwack);

·         Missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons;

·         Resolved a messy divorce when letting coach Ed Dempsey go 14 months ago;

·         Struggle with a huge financial crisis;

·         Experienced a sag in attendance (average of 753 fans per game this season which is 14^th out of 16 teams ahead of only Coquitlam (713) and Merritt (596);

·         Watched the BCHL last year reduce the amount of playoff teams from seven to four in each conference. That move was intended in part so a struggling outpost team like Prince George would not be part of the post-season.

To the Spruce Kings credit, the team has fired back, defied all odds, and with one of the top lines in league has put itself in a good position to actually make the playoffs. Just when it appeared the Spruce Kings could be back on their feet, the BCHL delivered a left-right combination to the gut and followed that up with an upper cut to the chin.

 

In a direct slap to Prince George and its entire Junior A fans, the league governors voted to move the Spruce Kings from the Interior Division to the newly created Mainland Division for next season. Yes, P.G. is now part of the Coastal Conference and will play in a division that includes Chilliwack, Langley, Surrey and Coquitlam.

 

This move is even more ridiculous than the Winnipeg Jets playing in Southeast Division with Florida, Tampa, Washington and Carolina. At least the NHL has an excuse as Winnipeg became the new home of the Atlanta Thrashers long after the schedule had been established.

 
I assume geography doesn’t matter. Unless I missed a major story somewhere, the city of P.G. remains part of the Interior and certainly not part of the Coast.

Is everybody excited with anticipation that the Langley Thunder, Hornets, Chiefs, Rivermen or whatever they call themselves this week will be coming for those exciting Friday-Saturday doubleheaders at the Coliseum?

 

Oh, wait a minute, the South Surrey, or is it Surrey Eagles will also be coming for doubles. And I hope Darcy Rota still has part ownership in the Coquitlam Express because I don’t know what other connection that franchise could have to Prince George.

 

By the way, not only will the Spruce Kings get to see more of the Mainland, but as an added bonus, they and all other league teams can enjoy three less home games next season. That’s right, another brilliant decision by the governors to certainly help the pocket books.

 

I don’t believe I sit on my own Island; I’m sorry Mainland, on this topic. Here are 10 samplings (made anonymously on the BCHL Message Board) from fans throughout the league that reinforce my issue. 

 

 

Source: http://www.network54.com/Forum/146929/thread/1327030796/last1327100717/League+changes+for+2012

 

 

Naturally, the other side believes this move will not hurt Prince George and that there are some travel advantages. The following are distances (in km) from PG to the various cities:

 

·         (Interior) Merritt 553, Salmon Arm 633, Vernon 642, Westside 685, Penticton 707 & Trail 987.

·         (Mainland) Chilliwack 652, Langley 727, Surrey 768 and Coquitlam 775.

 

This is not so much about extra travel and costs as it is about identity and rivalry. Feuds have been
built up in the Interior and there is none of that with the rest of the league. The Spruce Kings have been told they have an option to return to the Interior Conference after the 2013 playoffs if they don’t like the change.
By then the damage may be done. Even Chavalo could only take so much punishment before saying
"No Más".

 

The Cleveland Indians pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona apologized for lying about his name and his age. After Leo Nunez of the Marlins was caught doing the same thing. If they are ever traded for each other it could be the first trade solely involving two players to be named later.

The St. Louis Rams have announced they will play a regular season game in London in each of the next three NFL seasons. And from “across the pond” come the cries “Hey mates, haven’t we suffered enough?”
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

 

Tim Lincecum’s new $40.5 million two-year deal includes incentive bonuses—-that’ll be $10,000 extra for the crew for every shipment that makes it up from Colombia.

John Harbaugh is receiving criticism for not calling a time out for Billy Cardiff’s kick amid the confusion over downs. Boy, that sure wouldn’t have been a problem with Jason Garrett.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

A mother in Fort Wayne, Ind., made her teenage son stand on a street corner wearing a sign reading,
"I lie, I steal, I sell drugs, I don’t follow the law."
Do it again, she warned, and he’ll be wearing a Bengals jersey, too.
Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/

 

San Francisco punt returner Kyle Williams has been invited by all 4 NY area NHL teams to drop the puck at their next home games.

 

There’s rumors that Dennis Rodman is trying to start a women’s topless basketball league. Let me be the first to give the players some support.
Half time entertainment will be Jug Band Music.
Twin Towers refers to a single player.
Will a losing team bounce back the next day?
Comedy writer TC Chong http://www.dailycomedy.com/u/tcdag52

 

An ESPN reporter suggested Terrell Owens could name his salary in the CFL. Sure. Just avoid paltry or inadequate; they’re taken.

Yoga enthusiasts are upset at a Hong Kong instructor launching a class where participants bring their dogs. You might say the Shih Tzu hit the fans.

 

Canada and parts of the northern United States may be in for a spectacular light show courtesy of the the sun’s bombardment of Earth with radiation from the biggest solar storm in more than eight years. The only event to create more light will be the pre-game show for Super Bowl Sunday.

Alberta Health Services hired 17 EMTs and paramedics and added two new ambulances to the Edmonton fleet. City officials say the new vehicles will be used for emergencies such as major weather storms and warm ups for the Oilers games.

 

Republican representative Doug Lamborn decided not to attend the State of the Union address as a protest against President Obama’s policies. Thereby making him the odds on favorite to win this year’s Vezina Trophy winner.

 

The Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins visited Pres. Obama at the White House, Monday. For once they talked about the blue line in the Oval Office and weren’t referring to Hillary Clinton’s varicose veins.

For the first time in nearly 60 years, employees at Disneyland will be allowed to grow beards.
Snow White promised to keep hers neatly trimmed.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

Happy 110th birthday to Frank Zamboni, who left us in 1988 but still resurfaces periodically.