Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots- April 2nd, 2010
Friday, April 02, 2010 03:45 AM
Some Prince George Cougars fans believe that the franchise has been better off than the Kamloops Blazers in the last decade.
Well, I guess it comes down to one's point of view. The Cougars have missed the playoffs in four of the last seven years. The Cats had a memorable 2007 playoff, winning a couple series. The Blazers, on the other hand, have lost 19 consecutive playoff games (including eight in overtime) and are a measly 5-43 in their last 48-playoff games.
So, what is my point? Is a team that has a better regular season record followed by a quick painful pathetic playoff exit in a better position than missing the post season all together? This issue is certainly a topic of debate.
It is hard to imagine though that Kamloops has lost in the first round of the playoffs in 10 of the last 11 years. Oh, yes, that one missing year, the team failed to qualify for the post-season. Moreover, the last time Kamloops won a home playoff game in overtime, the player that scored the goal was Jarome Iginla back in 1996. Need I or anyone else say more?
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It certainly is interesting what some teams can accomplish when the “pressure” is off. The Toronto Maple Leafs recently had a 10-game stretch boasting an 8-2 record. Sure, this is impressive but these results arrived at a time they were long out of the playoff race.
This is not the first time the Leafs (and other teams) have gone on a run well after they were out of contention. Many gullible Toronto supporters believe this bodes well for next season. However, fans certainly have short memories.
I realize the Leafs will improve next season because they cannot drop much lower in the standings; but to believe a good record in March means anything after the club’s poor performance October through February is more than just dreaming. Absurd is likely the appropriate word.
We all like hope, we all want hope, but the Maple Leafs face a huge hurdle: “THEY ARE THE MAPLE LEAFS”.
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The NFL recently changed its overtime rules for the playoffs. This raises a question- why just for the post-season?
Starting next season, if a team wins the coin toss and then kicks a field goal, the other team gets the ball. If that next series ends with another field goal play will continue under the current sudden-death rules. If the team winning the toss immediately scores a touchdown, however, the game is over.
This change gained prominence after New Orleans won the NFC final on a field goal after winning the toss. Minnesota never had a chance offensively. Interestingly, team owners voted 28-4 in favor of the proposal with Minnesota Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Baltimore opposed.
Although the NFL is considering the switch for the regular season, they do not need to be like the NHL, which has some rules for the regular season and others for the playoffs.
I like change only if it is an improvement, and I am not convinced this will improve the current situation. A five or ten minute mini game followed by sudden death makes more sense.
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The success of the UNBC Timberwolves highlights the recently completed local basketball season. The UNBC men won the Provincials and Nationals and the Lady Timberwolves finished first in the BCCAA regular season before losing the playoff semi-final by a point. An interesting statistic shows that the two teams combined for ten local Prince George players that contributed on the court.
At the high school scene, the up and coming talent in the area is quite promising. Nechako Valley won the girls Double “A” and Junior zone titles. Vanderhoof has many of the top female prospects in the area, which is a tribute to a strong Steve Nash program. Cedars stood out at the girls single “A” level and next season an abundance of players will return. PGSS has long been the girls triple “A” power in the zone.
So, what do NVSS, Cedars and PGSS have in common? Besides excellent personnel, all have had dedicated coaches and leadership at their school that paves the way to positive and successful programs.
On the boys’ side, Prince George senior teams came up empty in the chase for the zone titles, but Duchess Park is on the right track having a Junior Boys team that won zones and went 2-2 at Provincials. The Duchess Park Senior Boys team pushed Columneetza to an extra and deciding game at the zones. With a new school opening, and a very dedicated athletic department and administration, it likely will not be long before the Duchess Boys return to their glory days of competing and winning Provincials.
From the quote rack:
He was seeing at least five other sports drinks.
Jay Leno of NBC, on why Gatorade dropped Tiger Woods as a sponsor.
Jay Leno of NBC, on why Gatorade dropped Tiger Woods as a sponsor.
Tiger Woods is slated to hold a media conference April 5 at Augusta National. He obviously learned his lesson at that sexual addiction clinic; he won't be doing any one-on-ones.
Ian Hamilton of the Regina Leader-Post
Tiger Woods is having a “press conference” timed for the same day as the final in March Madness and to capitalize on the event he is calling it March of the Mattress.Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)
The Hooters' girls will be holding a bikini competition down the street from the Masters. Which makes Tiger Woods an even money bet to be upstaged there by John Daly.
Well, they found Sidney Crosby's missing equipment from the Olympics. It was in the warehouse next to the Ark from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.
First it was Steeler QB Ben Roethlesberger who faced an assault charge and now his favorite receiver, Santonio Holmes is being sued for battery. I guess that makes them assault and battery mates.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Shocking news of the day. Ricky Martin has admitted he's gay. What's next, the Maple Leafs acknowledging they might need to retool their lineup?
Gilbert Arenas, the Washington Wizards star who pled guilty after bringing four guns into the locker room, was sentenced last week to 30 days in a halfway house, plus probation and community service. The judge could have handed down a much tougher sentence, like returning to play for the Wizards.
An initiative to legalize and regulate marijuana for personal use has qualified for the ballot in California this November. Which may help explain why the San Francisco Giants were able to sign Tim Lincecum to a long-term contract.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)
Victoria's Secret is teaming up with MLB and coming out with a line of baseball-themed lingerie. This adds a whole new level of anticipation to the top and bottom of an inning.
www.Sportsdeke.com
NFL linebacker Joey Porter was arrested in Bakersfield on suspicion of drunk driving and resisting arrest. An embarrassed Porter later apologized to his family and friends, his teammates, and the NFL for being seen in Bakersfield.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
I'm not saying New Jersey Nets fans are getting a bit cocky now that the team is not the worst in NBA history, but some of em were heard in the parking lot chanting "Bring on the UConn women."C
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
www.Sportsdeke.com
NFL linebacker Joey Porter was arrested in Bakersfield on suspicion of drunk driving and resisting arrest. An embarrassed Porter later apologized to his family and friends, his teammates, and the NFL for being seen in Bakersfield.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
I'm not saying New Jersey Nets fans are getting a bit cocky now that the team is not the worst in NBA history, but some of em were heard in the parking lot chanting "Bring on the UConn women."C
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
And in case you missed it:
Those Duke (basketball) fans are nuts: shirtless, head painted blue, drunk, sweaty and screaming. And that's just the women professors.
Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg
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: MrPG on April 2 2010 11:00 PM
what would you rather have, one round of playoffs, including 2 exciting overtime games, lots of action, as well as winning 20 more games in the regular season
or
6 months of being the worst team in the CHL, virtually no excitement and knowing your going to lose everytime you go to the rink, then follow that up with Brodsky and Dallas at the helm, so you know that despite the feeling it cant get worse, it could.
It takes an idiot to say the Cougars are in better shape than the Blazers.