A “Howse” on fire. WOW, what an amazing start to the WHL season for 19-year old Chilliwack Bruins sniper, Ryan Howse.

 

Do you think that the Calgary Flames, who have had trouble scoring, could have benefitted by using their 2009 third round (74th overall) pick in their line-up? Yes, junior is not the NHL, but
Howse has scored 14 goals and added three assists, in just nine games.

 

How(se) good is he? Well, in last Saturday’s 6-3 Chilliwack triumph over the Vancouver Giants, Ryan notched a second period hat trick, and all three goals came within a span of just 58 seconds.

 

Howse is one of two Prince George Minor Hockey products that play a prime role with the Bruins.The other player is 20-year old defenceman Brandon Manning, who has 3 goals and 9 assists in seven games. Both P.G. boys are averaging close to two points per game.

 

So, with the Prince George Cougars off to an improved start, and scoring at a rapid pace, local WHL fans have added interest when Chilliwack visits CN Centre on December 28th and 29^th. However, do not expect to see Howse as I suspect he will be playing for Canada at the World Juniors. Perhaps, Cougars captain Brett Connolly will also be wearing Canadian colors at that time.

 

Since the Bruins are in the same B.C. Division, they are scheduled for a second doubleheader visit to Prince George on January 14th & 15th. One can only imagine how many goals Howse will have by that time.

 
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Case(y) closed. There is a lesson to learn in the B.C. Lions decision to release quarterback Casey Printers. Yes, sometimes it is better to cut your losses and move on. Lion’s coach/GM Wally Buono gambled bringing back the temperamental Printers. He was the highest paid player and arguably their biggest disappointment.

 

Lions centre Angus Reid certainly did not defend Printers in an interview with the Vancouver Sun as he stated, “I think the real issue is when you have a guy that's paid to be your leader, and he's the one who ends up causing post-game problems – and I'm putting the performance aside – I think that's when you have to say, well, we can't have this guy as our leader anymore.”

 

Reid's comment says it all.

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The “turtle derby” for the last CFL playoff spot resumes this weekend. Edmonton, B.C. or long shot Winnipeg will earn the last post-season berth. Each club has three games remaining.

 

The Lions and Eskimos are both 5-10 with the Bombers 4-11. Winnipeg has to finish with a better record than B.C. and Edmonton to get a cross-over spot, so the Bombers chances are slim.

 

The Eskimos are in the driver’s seat because they win the tie-breaker over the Lions based on a 2-1 head to head record. The schedule also favors Edmonton. The Eskimos host Saskatchewan Saturday and Winnipeg on October 30th before their final road game November 6th at Saskatchewan.

The Lions play at Calgary tonight (Friday), and then host Saskatchewan on October 31st before closing at Hamilton November 6th. In other words, B.C. has two road games and one at home all against first or second place teams.

 

The Bombers are home to Toronto Saturday, then head to Edmonton and conclude at home November 5th against Calgary.

 

Maybe it is best for the Lions not to be in the playoffs anyway. Their fans have suffered enough this year without adding one more game of humiliation.

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Every NHL team has at least one loss and has picked up at least one win just two weeks into the season. Only Toronto and Dallas began with 4-0 records; both non playoff teams in 2009-10. What does this mean? Parity? Mediocrity? Both?

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Did you get the email making the circuit? What is the difference between the Chilean Government and the New Jersey Devils? The Chilean Government can afford to bring up some Miners.

In a recent 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh, New Jersey dressed just 15 skaters, three below the limit. Is this Devils GM Lou Lamoriello’s way of mocking the NHL after the Ilya Kovalchuk $100 million dollar contract fiasco? This situation is nothing short of a joke; the league’s credibility and integrity hanging in the balance. Salary cap or no salary cap, the NHL needs to address this issue in order to prevent further ridicule of the game.

 

 

 

"Incredible," exclaimed the first guy out of the Chilean mine."Why?" asked a reporter, "because you have finally been rescued?"
 No, the miner replied, "That the Maple Leafs are in first place!"

 

Jose Canseco will appear on an upcoming 'The Apprentice'. What, he couldn't get onto 'The Biggest Loser'?

 

 

Brett Favre isn't talking about his meeting with NFL security today, while Deadspin and Jenn Sterger await their possible meetings with NFL investigators. Could this be another Favre photo finish?"

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

Brett Favre has tendonitis in his elbow. That’s odd; usually, men text message naked pictures of themselves with their thumbs. 

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

 

 

Hear about Wrangler's new line of Brett Favre jeans? They come with a padlock on the zipper. 

 

 

 

 

A thought regarding this Brett Favre alleged “sexting” controversy: it’s a good thing that camera cell phones weren’t around when Joe Namath was with the Jets.

 

 

Fox baseball analyst Tim McCarver came out against instant replay, saying it “will kill the pace of the game.” You know what already kills the pace of the game? Listening to Tim McCarver. 

 

 

 

 

France is reeling with riots protesting an increase in the retirement age. In a show of support Montreal Canadians fans agreed to join the protest by throwing bricks at store fronts and setting fire to police cars during non game nights. 


A prisoner in Canada has won the right to get more meat in his sandwiches. After reviewing the policy the CFL players association says they will challenge the per diem amount given to their players calling it cruel and unusual.    

 

 

 

 

Former Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson claims to have an IQ of 160. Of course, that rises to 180 in the month of October.

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.