Sometimes it is a challenge to come out of the closet, but as shocking as it may sound I actually attended a recent Prince George Spruce Kings game. I considered wearing a disguise; however, I thought that since not many spectators attend their games anymore, I may not be recognized and could get away with my reputation intact.

The game was played a week ago against the Trail Smoke Eaters, the first of the double-header. Keep in mind; the “Smokies” lead the Interior Conference while the Spruce Kings are at the bottom. It was a decent game and highly competitive; as a matter of fact, P.G. led 3-1 after two periods.

Now, this is where the game becomes hard to explain. There was a feeling like, okay, it is crunch time, it is in the third period and something bad is going to happen to the home team. One could just feel this uneasiness throughout the building. Yes, the Coliseum air was oozing with karma that suggested the Spruce Kings were about to find a way to let another one slip away. In fact, this has become their trademark over the last few seasons, particularly against the better clubs.

Bang! Trail scores early in the 3^rd to make it 3-2. Bong! Trail scores midway through the final period to tie the game at 3-3. Boom! After a Prince George penalty, Trail scores with less than three minutes left and it’s 4-3. Bing! Trail scores an empty net goal; game over, 5-3 for the Smoke Eaters. Then came the rush with all fans scurrying to leave the building as quickly as possible, mumbling under their breath, and heads shaking back and forth.

Sure, the game was close, and yes it was agonizing, and of course, it was frustrating. That game may have been only 1 of 60, but summarizes the norm and not the exception for the Spruce Kings.  

Time and time again, the Spruce Kings play just well enough to have their opponent celebrate with the two points.

Footnote: These same two teams met again two days later at the same place with pretty much the same result, a 5-2 Trail victory. What more is there to say? 

 

***

Although WHL teams are just past the quarter point of their season, the trends show it will be a totally different Western Conference when it comes to the playoff race.

Two of the 10 teams will not advance to the post-season. Last season, the Prince George Cougars were out of the race by this time, while the Seattle Thunderbirds were pretty much done early in the New Year. The Cougars and Thunderbirds have significantly improved, and at this point in the schedule, there is no indication yet which teams will be the weak sisters.

In the West, things can change quickly. For instance, Kelowna was 4-10 before rattling off six straight wins. The Rockets are now 10-11, as they play a doubleheader this weekend against the Cougars at CN Centre.

Many of the teams have records at slightly above .500. In fact, a measly four points separate a whopping eight teams that are positioned from third to 10th (last). The Portland Winterhawks are clearly the class of the Conference with an 19-3-0-1 record for 39 points. Vancouver is second with 27, but the Giants have played more games than anyone else behind them. Seattle and Tri-City sit with 24, P.G. and Kamloops have 23, Chilliwack 22, Spokane 21 and Everett and Kelowna both have 20.

I cannot remember the last time these many teams were as bunched in the standings at this date. If this balance keeps up, a point a game clip may not be worth a playoff spot. That competitiveness actually
makes the regular season worthwhile. And isn't that a nice change?

 

 

If heavy drinking really made you a better golfer, we'd have nine-time Masters champ Charlie Sheen.

Brad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald, after John Daly stated that he played better golf while drunk.

NBA player Gilbert Arenas admitted that he once defecated in a teammate's shoes. And you think your feet stink.

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

 

  

 

Tennessee cornerback Cortland Finnegan was voted the dirtiest player in the NFL in a mid-season Sporting News poll of 100 players. Among other results, Brett Favre was voted the most photogenic.
Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix

A video of a Corpus Christi school quarterback casually strolling over the line before sprinting 60-some yards for a touchdown went viral this week.
It's the most talked about quarterback sneak since Brett Favre texted Jenn Sterger.

www.Sportsdeke.com

 

Now that the NFL has Jenn Sterger's purported photographic evidence in hand, which would be most embarrassing outcome for Brett Favre?
a) Getting suspended for gross misconduct.
b) Getting exonerated for lack of evidence.

Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times

The Buffalo Bills will not end up with a “perfect” record this year, since they won their first game against the Detroit Lions. And to celebrate, the 1972 Miami Dolphins opened a case of really cheap generic beer.   

Super Bowl winning quarterback Jim McMahon said at a Chicago Bears team reunion that he is losing his memory. Bears fans just wish they could lose their memories of Rex Grossman. Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

Donovan McNabb's new contract gives the Redskins an out clause. In the first quarter Monday night, it looked like a three-and-out clause.

Eagles WR DeShaun Jackson probably hit a little close to home with teammate Michael Vick when he said of the Eagles, who demolished the Redsking 59-28, 'we came out like pitbulls'. But he was right--they were electrifying.
Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

In honour of the rehabilitation of Michael Vick a new reality show is coming called Conviction Gridiron. Each week a new NFL player will be released from prison and try to catch on with a team. According to the producers, it will be a show of hope and best of all there is an unending supply. Plaxico Burris... come on down!)

Montreal goalie Carey Price is the NHL first star of the week. In celebration, Habs fans looted a Gap and later blew out the traditional burning Police car.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/

And in case you missed it: 

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