Hartley Miller's Slap- Shots -September 10th, 2010

Friday, September 17, 2010 03:45 AM

How quickly things can change! Just ask former Prince George Cougar Dustin Byfuglien.

“Big Buff” was the toast of the 2010 playoffs, playing a key role in the Chicago Blackhawks first Stanley Cup, in 49 years. The 25-year-old Byfuglien notched 11 goals in the Hawks last 16 post-season games, thanks to his promotion to the big line alongside Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Byfuglien played defence for much of the regular season and for the first playoff series against Nashville. However, his role changed to power-forward where he excelled, particularly against the Canucks and the Sharks. In fact, he scored three game winners vs San Jose. The 6-4, 257 pounder from Minneapolis certainly was a fan favorite.

Nevertheless, his climb to glory and Hollywood status was short lived, because following the Cup run, the Hawks needed to trim payroll and Byfuglien was traded to Atlanta along with Brent Sopel and Ben Eager for first and second round picks, forward Marty Reasoner and a couple of prospects.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last week that new Thrashers Head Coach Craig Ramsay announced that Byfuglien would start the season on the blue line.

Now, let me see if this picture is clear. “Buff” goes from a Stanley Cup champion to a non-playoff team and he leaves a hockey-crazed market for a city that virtually ignores its NHL team. Moreover, to add insult, to injury, he will play defence, a short two months after having the time of his life-playing wing with two elite players.

Is there a positive aspect to Byfuglien’s demotion to the Thrashers? I am not sure but another ex-Cougar, goalie Chris Mason is now in Atlanta. Some of his Chicago friends including Sopel, Eager, and Andrew Ladd also accompany him. (Ladd was acquired in a separate deal). Oh yes, he will get to play with Kane again, no not Patrick, but rather Evander.

The moral of this story, and a lesson we can all learn, in any occupation, is when times are good, take advantage of them and enjoy yourself because special moments often do not last very long.

*******

Well, you want to go to a Canuck game but are on a fixed income and can only afford the “nose bleeds”. Sorry, you may be out of luck.

Vancouver has the distinction of selling the most expensive low-end ticket price in the entire NHL. That cheap seat really is not cheap. How does $65 sound? Yes, $7.50 increase from last season.

Wait a minute! That $65 upper-level seat, which does not include your binoculars, is only in effect for 22 of the 41 home games. The other 19 home dates are considered “premium” (e.g. Montreal Canadiens). So, be prepared to pay a cool $85 for that same “cheap seat” when the Habs play at Rogers Arena (formerly GM Place).

Oh, did I mention that all of the tickets have an additional $8.50 in service charges?

As a result a family of four can expect to pay nearly $300 for the worst seat in the house, unless it is a premium game at which point that figure approaches the $400 level. With parking and concession, how does $500 sound for one regular season game?

Now, if you ever thought about treating yourself by purchasing the most expensive ticket (which likely would not be available) at $246 for a regular game and $300 for a premium game then that family of four would be forking over well in excess of $1000.

I realize there is a high demand for Canucks tickets, and there are 17,000 season ticket holders in an Arena that has a capacity of just 18,810. However, is it too much to ask to have reasonably priced limited children and/or seniors’ tickets?

The Flames and Leafs have bottom end tickets at $35 while the Canadiens sell a cheap ticket for just
29 bucks.

These figures do confirm that the Canucks have indeed priced “the little guy” out of the market. Oh well, you can watch the same game on “free TV”. At least then, you might get your money’s worth.

From the Quote Rack:

Following orders from the Melbourne archbishop, Australian churches have banned sports songs from funerals. Apparently, someone was caught playing Queen's 'Another One Bites The Dust'.

Competitive eater Joey Chestnut, AKA Jaws, has downed 47 burritos in 10 minutes at the New Mexico state fair in Albuquerque, beating the previous record of 33. Afterward, he also beat another certain record previously set in the campfire scene in 'Blazing Saddles'.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

T.O. and Ochocinco posed as Batman and Robin for a photo shoot with the Cincinnati Enquirer. I don’t know, after week one seems like the same old Jokers to me.

Pat Riley is complaining already about those who have made personal attacks against players on the Miami Heat. And really, what have any members of the team done to warrant any unwanted special attention this summer?
Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

Former Michigan basketball star Rumeal Robinson was convicted of fraud for borrowing more than $700,000 for a sham business deal and then spending the money on luxury items for himself.
Well, he did lead the Wolverines in steals two years running.

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

A Colombian man named Edward Nino Hernandez has the distinction of being the world's smallest man. Edward, 24, is 27 inches tall and weighs 22 pounds. Hernandez will report this week to the Montreal Canadiens camp.
Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix

A farewell autograph session with ex-Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak at a Montreal Mall drew 5000 fans. No, wait a minute; that was the Blue Jays game.
www.Sportsdeke.com

A Toronto Blue Jays fan was hit by a letter falling from a sign. The team says it is just lucky that the other two fans in the stadium were not injured as well.
Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

The homeless World Cup of soccer starts next week to which the CFLPA has objected saying they could at least have considered offering Canadian football.

The NY Jets are being investigated by the NFL after reports they harassed a Mexican female reporter at a recent practice. The Jets have apologized saying they thought she was a woman applying to be baby momma # 9 for corner-back Antonio Cromartie.

Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

NY Jets' defensive back Antonio Cromartie played so poorly in the team's loss to the Ravens that illegitimate children all over America are now ashamed to call him dad.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York

And in case you missed it:

In Paris, a Frenchman who registered 55 dependent children from 55 different mothers was arrested for suspected paternity fraud. It is not known which NBA team he plays for.

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

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Hartley Miller's Slap- Shots -September 10th, 2010

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