Bitterly cold, enough to give one the shivers! No, I am not referring to the weather Prince George residents experienced this week. In reality, this blustery picture remains in a deep freeze for much longer.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Welcome your Prince George Cougars and P.G. Spruce Kings. 

 

The WHL regular season is approaching the midway point while the BCHL is slightly further along with roughly 60 per cent completed, and the results speak for themselves. It is fitting both teams are in a pulp mill town because both (and this is not a news flash) STINK. No if ands or buts, candy or nuts, and let us not sugar coat anything here. After a certain point, year in and year out, what more is there to say? Just when one believes these franchises have hit rock bottom, “BOOM” goes the dynamite. Did I really say that?

 

The Cougars are 17 points out of a playoff spot and have been outscored by a 2-1 margin (150-75). They are 2-15-1-1 on the road, and 4-10 at home. Yes, a healthy Brett Connolly would have improved those numbers but nowhere near to a point that they would be consistently competitive.

 

Meanwhile, the Spruce Kings hold an inexcusable home record of 5-16-1 to go along with a road mark of 7-6-0-2. In fact, the Kings still do not have a victory against a team with a winning record (0-14-1). That is hard to believe, but then again, considering their rocky past, maybe not.

 

These sub-standard results are reflected at the gate. Attendance for both teams is down with only diehards in the stands, approximately 2,000 for the Cougars and about half of this total for the Spruce Kings. The Public Relations and hockey department for both teams can continue to give one excuse (I am sorry reason) after another for their dismal showing but after a while, the dribble goes in one ear and out the other.

 

There is no need for stating lengthy details about why again this junior season is a write off locally. If the Cougars and Spruce Kings were having a bad year, then there is no need to for concern. That can happen to even the best of franchises. However, history states that this continual losing is a long-term trend with several either missed playoff appearances or quick first round exits.

 

So, here is the sad part; apathy has set in. Fewer people care (which has to be a concern to the sponsors). As a result, there is significantly less media coverage. It is one thing when fans are angry and show emotion, but it is far worse when they tune out and stop talking about Prince George junior hockey. We have now reached a point, that many local residents will even turn away free tickets. 

 

How do these organizations fix things? I do not believe one strategy will change fortunes, but both teams, at the end of their season, need to examine their management structure.

 

It is going to be a long and slow progress on the road to respectability. Like many in this community, I want to believe there is always hope and that the sun will eventually shine. However, the “burning” provocative question remains,  when?

  

*

 

Make no mistake about it; Martin Brodeur is the man who should play goal in the key games for Canada at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. When Brodeur was injured for a lengthy period last season, there were questions about whether the 37-year-old could return to standout form. His performance this season for the New Jersey Devils re-affirms he should be chosen over Roberto Luongo and Marc-Andre Fleury. (I am assuming those will be the three goalies named in less than two weeks by Team Canada Executive Director Steve Yzerman). Brodeur is the incumbent, has key international experience, and has the numbers this season to back up his play. He recently tied Terry Sawchuk’s career shutout record of 103 and Patrick Roy's record for regular-season appearances by a goalie of
1,029. In addition, the Montreal native leads the NHL in wins and has the best save percentage among Canadian born net minders. When all decisions are final and the Olympic hockey playoffs are on, Brodeur has that trust factor. End of story.

 

 

 

The New York Post is reporting that Tiger Woods hired high-priced prostitutes several times from a well-known Hollywood madam.
Once during a night of wild sex, Tiger encountered an obstruction. It turns out he was still wearing his Ryder Cup. 

Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

 

Gillette says they will now "limit" their marketing with Tiger Woods. In the remaining ads, they are considering changing their slogan from "The Best a Man can Get." to the "The Most a Man Can Get." 

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

 

 

Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/

Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg http://www.thordoggie.blogspot.com/

 

Mental health experts think Tiger may suffer from a rare form of sex addiction that causes men who are rich and powerful to act out. Most women say it's just par for the course.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

 

 

 
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