Hartley Miller’s Slap Shots- March 23rd, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 3:45 AM
When a team consistently performs below expectations, the critics are quick to rear their ugly heads.
The Prince George Cougars have missed the playoffs for the third time in the last five years and that’s hard to do when a whopping 8 teams out of 10 in the Western Conference qualify.
So who takes the heat?
The fans? If more fans attended games, it could have created a better atmosphere, but I doubt the paying public could have put more pucks in the opposition net.
The media? It’s always easy to point the finger at the messenger; however, most local reporters prefer to toe the line.
The broadcasters? If they were a tad more positive in their analysis maybe that would rub off on the team.
The office staff? Actually it is easy to feel sorry for those nice folks who are on the receiving end of the anger from disgruntled customers.
The off-ice minor officials? If they padded the Cats stats that could have been the boost the players needed.
The Trainer? Is the likeable Chico supposed to get injured players back in the lineup before they are ready? Three cheers for the most popular guy associated with the team, Chico!
The players? Sure they bear some blame, but it was another young team with many injuries. Yawn! I know we have heard this before.
The Head Coach? Dean Clark has to take responsibility for the league’s worst power-play (12 per cent) and an overall record of 69-137-3-7 in his three years behind the bench. In fairness to Clark, he has a history of winning in the WHL when he coached Calgary, Brandon and Kamloops prior to his arrival in P.G.
The owner? Well, it has been 18 years since Rick Brodsky brought the Cougars to Prince George and still no banners.
The GM? One thing is sure, Dallas Thompson, has withstood significant public ridicule and “bullets”. When assessing the performance of a General Manager one should look at the big picture and not a one year snapshot. Thompson has been the Cougars GM for eight seasons. He was an assistant GM and assistant coach with the team prior to his promotion.
Here are the records of the PG Cougars over the past 8 years:
Season 04/05 26-41-3-2 did not qualify for the playoffs
05/06 35-31-2-4 1-4 in the playoffs
06/07 33-31-3-5 9-6 in the playoffs
07/08 20-48-1-3 did not qualify for the playoffs
08/09 25-44-0-3 0-4 in the playoffs
09/10 12-56-1-3 did not qualify for the playoffs
10/11 33-35-2-2 0-4 in the playoffs
11/12 24-46-0-2 did not qualify for the playoffs
05/06 35-31-2-4 1-4 in the playoffs
06/07 33-31-3-5 9-6 in the playoffs
07/08 20-48-1-3 did not qualify for the playoffs
08/09 25-44-0-3 0-4 in the playoffs
09/10 12-56-1-3 did not qualify for the playoffs
10/11 33-35-2-2 0-4 in the playoffs
11/12 24-46-0-2 did not qualify for the playoffs
Total 208-332-12-24 10-18 in the playoffs
These numbers reflect that the Cougars have had the worst WHL regular season record over an 8-year period. For what it’s worth, the Cats did have a playoff run in 06/7 that some other clubs have not been able to do in the past eight seasons.
In conclusion, there is mounting frustration from all sides. Average attendance of 2,047 at CN Centre was seven percent less than a year ago and the smallest in the 22 team league. (Swift Current was second lowest with an average of 2,204). I believe it is safe to suggest Prince George fans want this team to stay in the city. The Cougars insist they want to remain long term, but at some point finances will play a role before the team seriously looks at other options.
The past hasn’t been pretty. With the status quo, I’m not sure how much optimism there is about the future, but we can all agree the perception and/or culture of the Cougars is in desperate need of a change.
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Not only were Victoria, Everett, Seattle, and Prince George the four worst teams in the WHL Western Conference, but they ended up in the bottom five of the League. The (32-34-1-5) Red Deer Rebels finished 12 points out of a playoff spot in the East, yet they were 16 points ahead of the last playoff qualifier (Everett) in the West.
I realize this can be argued as an odd quirk and pitfall when the Eastern Conference has 12 teams and the West has 10, but perhaps this is the time to re-assess the situation and look at possible wild card scenarios. Sure extra travel is a major issue to overcome, but the WHL should make a better effort at getting its “16” best teams in the playoffs.
Sometimes it is better to “get it right” rather than what is most convenient. The CFL made a change a few years ago for a cross over playoff spot should a fourth place team in one division have a better record than the third place team in another.
This season the format worked in favour of the P.G. Cougars in that they still had a mathematical chance at the playoffs until game #71; however, in another year it may not. If nothing else, the topic deserves further discussion. Just ask the Rebels!
From the Quote Rack:
There’s no telling where he’ll end up — you know, like one of his passes.
Jay Leno of NBC, on where Tim Tebow will play in the 2012 season.
Quarterback Tim Tebow was traded from the Denver Broncos to the New York Jets. So now, the Jets have two quarterbacks who can’t throw.
A 100-year-old grandmother will be a torchbearer carrying the Olympic flame through the streets of London. Her 300-meter leg of the relay will start on July 2 and end on July 11th or 12th, depending on the wind.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
It was strange to see John Elway standing next to his QB and not having to smile through clenched teeth.
The bad news for Yankees pitcher David Robertson is that he injured his foot March 7th after falling down stairs while moving boxes.
The good news for him is that he’s been offered a job with Fed Ex.
The good news for him is that he’s been offered a job with Fed Ex.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
The Washington Nationals baseball team will be selling an 8 pound “Strasburger” named after pitcher
Stephen Strasburg. In a related story, the Yankees are thinking of naming their overpriced hot dogs
after Alex Rodriguez.
Stephen Strasburg. In a related story, the Yankees are thinking of naming their overpriced hot dogs
after Alex Rodriguez.
Comedy writer Jim Barach (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)
So much for “play ball.” Parents of that Lennox (CA) Little League team that was saved by a $1200 from a local strip club have voted to refuse the money. Wonder how many fathers offered to return the donation, one dollar at a time.
Former New York Giants receiver Mario Mannngham, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers, tested positive for marijuana twice during his college days at Michigan. Wonder when Mario moves to California how long it will take him to get a prescription.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Two busloads of students were escorted to a police station in Candiac, Quebec after an hour-long demonstration blocked an access ramp to the busy Champlain Bridge into Montreal. The students will be charged with loitering and impersonating the Montreal Canadians.
A poll of Canadians has found a majority think Albertans are “smug” and “uncaring”. Asked to comment, Daryl Sutter the Alberta born Coach of the LA Kings replied “Whatever”. The poll result was a surprise to Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke who said Albertans seemed normal.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgaryhttp://smacksport.blogspot.com
And in case you missed it:
Patriots wide out Chad Ochocinco was reportedly peed on by a caged lion at a charity event. Who says Chad is no longer a No. 1 receiver?
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com
Comments
Even the Maple Leafs let the coach go after another year of mediocre hockey and missing the playoffs. Even Brian Burke is on the bubble for 4 years of failure. In PG Thompson has had 8 years and has yet to assemble a competitive team. Clark just can not seem to motivate the players. Compare the Cougars to the Giants. Don Hay continues to get 100+% out of his players and he does not have the luxury of high draft choices like the Cougars.
It is absolutely baffling why the owner of the Cougars would keep Clark and Thompson on the payroll while attendance continues to decrease each year as the result of a uncompetitive hockey team.
It is certainly not a hard fact to understand that if you want to fill the stands put a winner on the ice.
Thank you for putting this out in “print,” Hartley. And so easy to read and understand too – just in case DT or DC happen to stumble across it and take the time to read it. One can hope they will truly understand and take “Hart” to what you’ve said. As a long time (and continuing) season ticket holder, I can assure you this is just what most Cougar followers strongly believe.
Thank you for putting this out in “print,” Hartley. And so easy to read and understand too – just in case DT or DC happen to stumble across it and take the time to read it. One can hope they will truly understand and take “Hart” to what you’ve said. As a long time (and continuing) season ticket holder, I can assure you this is just what most Cougar followers strongly believe.
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