The reason may be default, perhaps short term, but the P.G. Spruce Kings are, for the near future, the number one hockey team in Prince George.

 

The Spruce Kings turned away fans (capacity crowd of over 2,100 in attendance) from their last home game, a 3-2 loss to Nanaimo Feb 18^th. They are expecting another full building when they host the Penticton Vees tonight and Saturday. Granted, there have been a number of promotional tickets available for these last three regular season home games, but as recently as last year fans did not want to be being spotted at a Spruce Kings game, free/discounted tickets or not. Just like the public did not want to catch HINI, no one wanted the embarrassment of being seen at the Coliseum.

 

Under the direction of Head Coach Dave Dupas and GM Mike Hawes, the perception of the Spruce Kings is changing. They are battling Merritt for 2^nd place, they have the top scorer in the BCHL (Paul De Jersey), and they have arguably the best line in the league. There is a buzz about the team that hasn’t been experienced since they hosted the Royal Bank Cup five years ago.

 

While the Prince George Cougars are suffering through another pathetic season, the Spruce Kings will return to the playoffs for the first time in three years. Fans understand Junior A is not played at the same level as Major Junior hockey, but they are just happy to have a competitive team for a change.

 

The Cougars have gone 16 consecutive home games with an announced crowd of below 2,000, including a record low 1,525 February 3rd against Kelowna. Their average announced attendance for their last 10 games at CN Centre has been just fewer than 1,700. Take into account at least 300 no shows and there have been, at best, 1,400 in the building.

 

So, interest has shifted to the Spruce Kings, in part because of their competitive team, but another significant reason is their major sponsor, Save on Foods. Save On left the Cougars to become a big booster of the Kings to give them a huge promotional lift. Other sponsors have also joined the Spruce Kings bandwagon.

 

Once playoffs arrive, the Spruce Kings will be raising prices from $12 to $14 for an adult ticket. They will “not” offer any more promotional or discount tickets, so it will be interesting to see if the fans are willing to pay full price to watch. General consensus seems to be that the cost will still be less than a Cougars ticket and the support of the team will continue.

 

To be accurate, the Spruce Kings are only averaging 852 fans for 28 home games which is less than half of what the Cougars have averaged thru 35 home dates. This means that many more fans are attending Cougars games, but as of late, this has changed.

 

It certainly doesn’t hurt the Spruce Kings that their opponent this weekend has won a Canadian record 41 games in a row. This just adds to the intrigue.

 

There is a segment of the public that subscribe to the notion that Prince George is no longer a hockey town. On the contrary, it is just that local fans want something to get excited about. With spring coming, the Cougars have dropped off the radar and the puck is squarely in the Spruce Kings corner.

 

Long term, the Spruce Kings haven’t proven a thing; after all they could be having just one good season surrounded by many bad ones. Perhaps the culture is changing. It has become apparent though that the Spruce Kings need to seize the moment because one never knows when, or if, the next opportunity will come.

 

#

 

There is a new definition for SUPER SATURDAY on the Prince George sports menu. On Saturday night, March 3^rd, the Spruce Kings beat Trail 4-3 in overtime, the P.G. Cougars nipped Spokane 4-3 in overtime, the Cariboo Cougars edged the Greater Vancouver Canadians 1-0 and most importantly, the UNBC men’s and women’s Timberwolves became PACWEST basketball champions defeating VIU
in the provincial finals. (The UNBC men won their second B.C. title 69-61 and the UNBC women captured their second B.C. crown 62-53). That’s five games and five winners in one night. I guess that is as good a reason as any to end with a HIGH FIVE!

 

From the Quote Rack:  

Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, is reportedly a Canucks fan—before the evening gown competition, she torched a rival’s tiara.

Drew Brees is "livid" about being franchise tagged and not receiving a long-term contract from the Saints. Is it possible we’re going to see a Mutiny on the Bounty?

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

Reactions around the NFL from other teams to the New Orleans Saints’ bounty program. 1. We are outraged. 2. Quick, purge all our computer files.

 

Ndamukong Suh. commenting on the bounty situation: “Me personally, I don’t take part in those things and knowing my teammates and knowing my coaches, we wouldn’t allow that.” Possible translation? “I like to stomp people for free.”

 

 

 

 

The New Orleans Saints have adopted Boy George’s 80s hit “Do you really want to hurt me?” as their theme song.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are considering changing their motto to “Just Break a Leg, Baby”.

New England supposedly has secret video of Saint’s Gregg Williams handing out “Ben Franklins” to his defensive squad.

Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://www.dailycomedy.com/u/tcdag52

 

 

Dog The Bounty Hunter has moved to No. 1 in the upcoming NFL draft.

Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

Massachusetts police arrested a motorist for throwing a handful of pennies at a driver in the car next to him at a red light. He’s been charged with assault and impersonating a CFL general manager.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com      

 

The world record for the longest paper airplane toss was beat last week but the record for coasting on hot air is still held by Brian Burke.

Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman says he never hesitated when asked to become the GM for Team Canada saying it is every Canadian boys wish to be a part of the team. Next on the list is to be a part of a team that prevents the Toronto Maple Leafs from reaching the playoffs.

Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgaryhttp://smacksport.blogspot.com

 

A recent article said that cigarette consumption amongst Asians in New York City has not gone down much despite a 10-year campaign to get people to quit. Looks like Jeremy Lin isn’t the only one who’s smokin!

Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York