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Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - February 10th Edition

By Hartley Miller

-by Hartley Miller

Heading into the home stretch of the WHL Regular Season, the Prince George Cougars have completed exactly three-quarters of their 72 game schedule. It is mathematically possible to place higher in the B.C. Division, but after dropping a pair of 3-1 decisions to Kelowna last week-end, this would be an unrealistic goal. Therefore, the Cougars should focus on maintaining the fourth and final playoff spot, which means staying ahead of Kamloops.

The Cougars, and Blazers, with improved records over last season, would have pretty much wrapped up post season berths in any of the other divisions, but that's not the hand they were dealt. Prince George boasts a record of 30-21-0-3, for a total of 63 points, with 18 games left. On the other hand, Kamloops, sits at 27-25-2-3, good for 59 points, with only 15 games to go. While the Cougars have more points and more games remaining than the Blazers, it would appear they have to keep the same winning percentage for the last 25 per cent of the season to achieve their goal of making the playoffs. This playoff race is certainly much more entertaining than last season’s “turtle derby”, which saw Kamloops beat out Prince George almost by default.

PG has just seven home games left including: Portland on Feb 22nd, Vancouver on the 24th and 25th, Kamloops on March 3rd and 4th and Everett on March 10th and 11th. The other 11 are on the road starting with a six game Prairie swing (Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina, Brandon, Moose Jaw and Swift Current). Although half of these Prairie Teams have losing records, this will not be an easy trip. The remaining five games on the road will be at Kelowna (Feb 28th in a televised game on Shaw), at Spokane March 15th, at Tri-City on both March 17th and 18th and the regular season finale, March 19th, in of all places, at Kamloops.

The Blazers, on the other hand, have 8 home, and 7 road games remaining. Besides the three games left against the Cougars, they have five vs Kelowna, with three of those games in Kamloops. Their other match-ups include: on the road at Kootenay, at Spokane and at Vancouver. The Blazers other home dates are against Spokane, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver.

We don't know how much significance the last regular season game will have, but that Kamloops-PG double-header on the first weekend of next month, at the CN Centre, will likely go a long way to determine who gets in.

No matter how one tries to spin this, and although the Blazers have never missed the playoffs, the Cougars have the distinct advantage. Now it's just a matter of capitalizing on this opportunity, which, of course, is easier said than done.

You know, there could be a consolation prize to the club that fails to make it. His name is Ryan Howse, the PG Minor Hockey Association scoring whiz, who is expected to be a top ten, or even top five pick in the WHL bantam draft. But as tempting as Howse might be, Cougar fans don't want any more consolation prizes. They have had more than their share of those over the years.

From the quote rack:

"One of Seattle's star players complained this week about his team's lack of attention. Can't recall who it was."
Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, on the Super Bowl runner-up Seahawks.
--
"I can hardly wait to see the Bills' cheerleading squad next year. It'll be Betty White, Bea Arthur and Della Reese in bloomers dancing to 'The Chattanooga Choo Choo.' "
Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel, on 87 year old Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson hiring 81 year old Marv Levy, as General Manager.
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"They mean from his own teammates, right?''
Larry Brooks of the New York Post, on the Pittsburgh Penguins picking up tough guy Eric Cairns to protect Sidney Crosby. 
--
"I want to thank the horses for carrying me."
Emma-Jayne Wilson, in the Los Angeles Times, after capturing the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey. 
--
"The Tampa Bay Devil Rays might drop the 'Devil' from their name, according to a newspaper report. Needless to say, their fans are disappointed. They were hoping the team would drop the 'Tampa Bay' part."
Dan Daly of The Washington Times.

And, how was your week?

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97FM. He also writes for the PG Free Press.

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