Good defence beats good offence in the playoffs. This theory hasn’t changed since the inception of sports as we know it. Of course, it’s not true all the time, just the vast majority.

 

A couple of recent local examples substantiate this principle. The Prince George Spruce Kings were eliminated by the Merritt Centennials, in four straight games, in the first round of BCHL playoffs. Meanwhile the Cariboo Cougars lost two consecutive games to the Vancouver NW Giants in the BCMML final.

 

During the regular season, the Spruce Kings scored 24 more goals than the Centennials (218-94) but gave up 14 more (185-171). Prince George had three players in the top 15 of league scoring. Merritt had none. Head to head, Merritt was clearly the better team winning 5 of 7 in the regular season, 9 of 11 overall.

 

The Centennials frustrated the Spruce Kings in the Conference semi-finals holding them to 6 goals in 4 games (scores of 4-1, 3-1, 4-3 in OT and 3-1) with a smothering fore-check, no high risk chances behind their blue line and top notch goaltending. Furthermore, the Centennials allowed very few second chances and excelled at clearing rebounds, so it’s no mystery why Merritt won handily.

 

The Spruce Kings can take pride in making a great stride this season; however, they bowed out with a whimper. In the last game, scoring champ Paul De Jersey showed a lack of discipline as he made an early exit in the 2^nd period following a five minute major and a game misconduct. In addition, the Spruce Kings did not dress defenceman Ben Woodley and forward Michael Betz in game four for team disciplinary reasons. To add to the disappointment, just 918 fans were in attendance at the Coliseum or less than half of the final three regular season games.

 

The drought continues for Prince George as the Spruce Kings have not had a playoff series victory in 7 years. On the other hand, Merritt won its first playoff game and series in five years, thanks to a team defence first commitment.

The Cariboo Cougars also had a memorable season but their high powered offence fell flat in Burnaby scoring just two goals in two games (4-1 and 2-1 losses) against the Vancouver NW Giants, who won their 4^th straight league title, defeating the Prince George based team in the last three finals. In 40 regular season games, the Cougars scored 47 more goals than the Giants (196-149) but Vancouver
gave up 33 less (99-66).

 

The Giants beat the Cougars 3 out of 4 in the regular season and 5 out of 6 overall. Yes, it is interesting how match-ups work. Prior to the final, Cariboo had won 8 straight outscoring the opposition 52-7, yet that fact meant nothing in the championship series.

 

Frustration became the theme for the Cougars in the series as the Giants effectively clogged up the middle and took away space from the Cariboo sharpshooters. Colton Manning lost his cool in game two after a controversial goal and has been suspended indefinitely for making contact with an official. Nathan Craft and Chase Astorino, in game one, and Josh Connolly, in game two, were all tossed after they received checking from behind infractions.

 

High scoring teams love to compile stats against weaker non playoff teams, which both the Spruce Kings and Cariboo Cougars proved; however, in the end there is no substitution for a stifling “D” because that remains the recipe for success in the “P”.

 

 

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Everyone seems to have an opinion on whether the real Tiger Woods is back. The answer is both Yes and No.
Yes, because he is a winner again for the first time in 2 1/2 years (capturing a record 7^th Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill by 5 shots). No, because by his own standards he has yet to win a major since 2008, although that could change as early as April 8^th the last day of the Masters.

 

Tiger’s game has slowly been improving. He mastered the par five’s at Bay Hill, was consistently in the fairways and perhaps most important of all, had command of his putter. His world ranking is #6 but oddsmakers are again listing him as #1. British bookies have Tiger the 4-1 favorite to win a 5^th Green jacket at Augusta with Rory McIlroy close behind at 5-1. (At 4-1 odds, a $1 bet returns $5. At 7-2, $1 returns $4.50)

 

MGM in Las Vegas has Woods at 3-1 and McIlroy at 9-2. Tiger’s likeability and charisma has dropped considerably but his notoriety hasn’t changed a bit. It’s love him or hate him, cheer for or against him but he is one of those polarizing athletes that brings out debate.

The dominant Tiger of a decade ago will likely never return but at least we can all agree that he is a contender again which means that golf is relevant again.

 

 

 

 

 

In a matter of just ten days, 64 sweaty, heavy-breathing groups of athletes have been whittled down to just 4. But, enough about Kim Kardashian’s search for another husband.

 

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

 

 

Kim Kardashian says she may press charges against the woman who dumped flour over her at a public event. Apparently Kardashian was mad it wasn’t the same shade as her makeup powder.

 

Comedy writer Jim Barach  (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/) 

 

A group led by Magic Johnson has purchased the L.A. Dodgers. Unconfirmed reports out of Indiana say that Larry Bird is putting together a group to buy the Giants.

The Texas Rangers are selling a one pound hot dog that is two feet long and contains about 3,000 calories. It’s called The Kevorkian.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

 

Hey, these days, do you know a cheaper way to get gas?

 

Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press, on the Texas Rangers’ $26 hot dog that comes with
chili, sauteed onions and shredded cheese.

 

 

The Texas Rangers are selling a two-foot long, one-pound hot dog for $26. Isn’t that the regular price for a hot dog at Yankee Stadium?

VCU men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart turned down the head coaching position at Illinois. Maybe he’s holding out for a high level amateur team closer to Richmond, like the Washington Wizards.

 

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

 

 

There’s more X’s on my bracket sheet than Wilt Chamberlain’s bedpost.

Poor ratings have caused Rosie O’Donnell’s show to be cancelled on the Oprah Network. The network has reportedly been struggling financially since it launched. Low cost replacement programming includes CFL Ottawa Rough Riders replays from the past 25 years.

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

 

 

Canada’s newest bank notes, $50 bills made from a plastic polymer, started circulating Monday and are expected to cause problems for some industries. Vending machines have a difficult time reading them, banks say they clog up the counters and CFL players say they never see anything over a $20.

Albertans are going to the polls to elect a new Government on April 23. The date was picked specifically to coincide with the NHL playoffs so that no one in the Province was distracted watching their team play.

 

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

Enrique Iglesias told Parade Magazine he has no plans to make Anna Kournikova, his girlfriend of 11 years, Mrs. Iglesias. So no married title for Kournikova, to go along with no singles title.

 

 

A new study in Psych Central says students may eventually perform better if they’re told that failure is part of learning, rather than being pressured to succeed. Finally, an explanation for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com      

 

During a recent game in England, Wheel Power FC set a record for the largest victory in British soccer history with a 58-0 triumph. When did the Toronto Maple Leafs find the time to play a soccer game in England?

 

Ian Hamilton of the Regina Leader-Post

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.