Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - Oct. 23rd, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009 03:45 AM
The BCHL has reached the one-quarter mark in its regular season schedule, and it is increasingly evident that the Prince George Spruce Kings, and four other teams, are playing in the “B” Division of the Interior Conference.
Each year it seems the Okanagan clubs set the standard, but this season the gap may be at an all-time high. If one checks the standings, it is clear that Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm, and Westside are the “A” group while Quesnel, PG, Merritt, Trail and Williams Lake are significantly lower, perhaps as much as two levels.
So, how do I draw this non-startling conclusion? The Spruce Kings overall record is 5-10-0-1, which earns them a measly 11 points. Let us examine this further.
Results against Teams with Winning Records:
· Vernon 0-1 (5-1 loss)
· Penticton 0-1 (9-2 loss)
· Salmon Arm 0-2 (7-6 and 4-3 losses)
· Westside 0-1-1 (8-3 loss and 4-3 overtime loss)
· Surrey 0-1 (5-3 loss)
· Langley 0-1 (4-2 loss) and
· Powell River 0-1 (5-1 loss).
That is nine games without a victory against a winning team.
In other words, the Spruce Kings have played over half of their games vs teams with a winning record and in those games are 0-8-1. Now, did I happen to mention “B” Division?
How about their record against inferior competition?
Results against Teams with Losing Records:
* Quesnel 1-1 (4-1 loss and 2-1 overtime win)
* Merritt 1-0 (2-0 win)
* Merritt 1-0 (2-0 win)
* Trail 1-0 (4-3 win in overtime)
* Williams Lake 2-1 (6-3 and 6-0 wins and a 4-2 loss).
As you can see, the Kings’ record against weak opponents is 5-2.
Depending on your point of view, there is good news on the horizon. The Spruce Kings play their next
five games and 11 of their next 13 are against Conference opponents with losing records. Oh, by the way, did I mention that these games are against the “B” division of the Conference?
*
five games and 11 of their next 13 are against Conference opponents with losing records. Oh, by the way, did I mention that these games are against the “B” division of the Conference?
*
As you know, it is unlike me to defend the Prince George Cougars, but I do not think they are as bad as recent scores suggest. Now, do not get me wrong, I said at the beginning of the season, they would place in the lower echelon in the Western Conference. The fact that they are currently at the bottom of the entire WHL through 11 games may be a tad misleading.
The 2-9 Cougars have lost seven straight, the latest setback at the hands of the Seattle Thunderbirds
(4-2 score) who just happen to be the second worst team in the league. During this awful streak, the Cats have been out-scored 44-9.
(4-2 score) who just happen to be the second worst team in the league. During this awful streak, the Cats have been out-scored 44-9.
The numbers speak for themselves. I will suggest, however, that a bad team without their injured top players (i.e. Brett Connolly, Marek Viedensky and Dallas Jackson to name three) will make things worse than they really are. I mean, there have been games the Cougars are icing a line-up so young they could be mistaken for a Major Midget team.
Nevertheless, the Cats are lacking in many areas, with many issues that I examined in this column before the puck dropped on the season. Those concerns remain which include: lack of firepower, lack of production from the overage players and poor defensive zone coverage.
Yes, I could go on. One thing that has come too light; however, is that the Cougars are very weak mentally. Once they get down, their tendency has been to pack it in and that is why they have lost recent games by scores of 9-2, 7-1, 6-1, and 8-0.
Yes, it is easy to pick on a team when they are down, but the Cougars have only themselves to blame for earning the dubious distinction as the Toronto Maple Leafs of the WHL. However, I still reserve judgment on this status before officially declaring they are heading to the first pick in next year’s Bantam Draft. Nobody, not even the Cougars, deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the Maple Leafs.
From the quote rack:
The Toronto Maple Leafs have started the season 0-6-1. During the second intermission of their most recent loss, Air Canada Centre’s PA system started playing the Beatles' "Help." Maybe it would have been more appropriate to play Neil Young's "Helpless."
The Saints beat the Giants 48 to 27. New York hasn’t been shocked by that much scoring since the Letterman scandal broke.
There are rumors that the Bills may trade T.O. to the Bears. Oh, come on, with the Olympics, Cubs and White Sox, haven’t sports fans in Chicago suffered enough?The Washington Redskins have relieved Coach Jim Zorn of play-calling duties. This came as a shock to Redskins fans, who weren’t aware ANYONE was calling plays.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)
I hear that Democratic and Republican negotiators have agreed on language in the health care bill that would empower President Obama to pull the plug on Jim Zorn.
An Ontario man and his friends removed a statue of Buffalo Bills great Thurman Thomas from outside the team's stadium and transported it to Canada. This is the gravest threat to US-Canada relations since Immigration agents once fingered Pamela Anderson's bust.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
Not sure which bag of air was more entertaining to watch crash to earth; the balloon that didn't have the kid in it or (Toronto Maple Leafs GM) Brian Burke.
I hope they get the new building in Quebec City built before Gary Bettman figures out the city is still in Canada.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)
Ratings for the baseball playoffs increased from 4.3 million viewers in 2008 to 4.8 million this year. It’s because this year Yankees fans can’t afford the tickets.
Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
LA Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife are getting divorced after thirty years of marriage. Apparently it is amicable with only one issue to be resolved. Who gets custody of Manny Ramirez?
Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)
Manny Ramirez was reportedly taking a shower during the Philadelphia rally in game four of the NLCS. Well, he is the cleanup hitter.
ESPN analyst Steve Phillips acknowledged having an affair with an assistant and will take a leave of absence during the playoffs. Boy, if ever there were a candidate to read a Letterman Top Ten List.
The Buffalo Bills were called for nine false starts in their 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns. They reportedly received a congratulatory call from the CEO of Polident.
They're coming out with a new fairy tale in which all the characters are dressed in Bronco throwback uniforms. It's called 'The Adventure of Pippi Laughingstocking'.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
And in case you missed it:
The team captain for the Burger King Whoppers of the Philippine Basketball Association went into the stands at a recent game and attacked a spectator who had been heckling him. And I thought Ron Artest had signed with the L.A. Lakers.
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.
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Posted by: darkken on October 23 2009 2:57 PM
Fire him for pete sakes! oh and maybe some of you board members should take stock of your value to the team as well and perhaps resign with a bit of dignity.
I'm reallllllly tired of the losing!