Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - February 11, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011 03:45 AM
When the Green Bay Packers captured their 4th Super Bowl title, a few of their players likely thought that a perk of winning was taking a trip to Disneyland.Well, I beat them to the punch. Last week I took a rare winter vacation to California and spent a few days in Anaheim. Although I was pleased to meet some of my Disneyland “G” buddies such as Geppetto, Goofy and, of course, Grumpy I took a night off and attended an NHL game at the Honda Centre as the Anaheim Ducks hosted the San Jose Sharks. I sat in the press box, which just goes to show, you do not have to be from the big city to receive media credentials. There was little hype around this game. After all, ho-hum, just another Wednesday night to watch the Ducks.
The announced crowd for this game was 14,486, which was well below capacity; albeit very average. There were gaps of empty seats in every section. Gee, having fewer fans at a game than paid attendance is similar to a Cougars home game.
During pre-game warm-ups there was an ad, on the jumbo-tron, that caught my attention. It was for learning to curl at the website www.occurling.com. I thought am I back in Canada? Have folks in sunny California really heard of curling other than a curling iron? True enough, the Orange County Curling Club started one year ago. Well, wonders never cease.
Another ad, located on the out of town scoreboard displayed a Travel Alberta sign. I am not sure how many California residents want to go to Edmonton or Calgary in the winter, but this is a promotion and I guess just publicizing your name is usually positive.
I was curious about the popular Ducks’ jerseys that fans wore to the games. Ryan Getzlaf’s number 15 led a scattered list but a close second was #16 belonging to George Parros. Those “tough guys” are always popular in the USA.
Oh, yes, the game itself. First shot, 1-0 San Jose just 14 seconds into the game. When Dany Heatley’s name was announced on the PA as the goal scorer, there were boos (much louder than other opposition goals) from the crowd. Hey, maybe there are some transplanted Ottawa natives living here. Seven minutes later, 2-0 San Jose. Oh my goodness, Ben Eager actually pulled the trigger. It is very obvious Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller is struggling. At the 11:15 mark, San Jose scores again with the ever dangerous Jason Demers scoring which ended Hiller’s night. Curtis Mclhinney comes in, but the damage is done. Sharks led 3-0 after one and 4-2 after two and held on for a 4-3 victory.
Both dressing rooms were open to reporters shortly after the game. There were not many members of the media that interviewed the players. Unlike the stampede that frequents games in Canada there were not an abundance of reporters at the game.
I spent a couple of minutes with ex Prince George Cougar Devin Setoguchi, who notched a couple of assists for the Sharks. “It’s tough when you haven't played in while” referring to the Ducks one week layoff. (The Sharks played the previous night at home). “They weren't ready to start the game and we were” said Setoguchi.
After a slow start and nagging injuries, Setoguchi is trying to pick up the pace. He has just 11goals and 20 points in 46 games with a plus-minus rating of -10.“I am feeling good lately. I am trying to play with confidence and just trying to do what I do best which is skate and just make plays.”
It was four years ago when Setoguchi played a key role in helping the underdog Cougars win a couple of playoff rounds to reach the WHL Western Conference final. “We kind of lifted the city of Prince George there for that last month of hockey. It was pretty cool to see that rink full and how loud it can actually get.”
Now that he is making his mark in the NHL, does he still follow the Cougars? “I look (at the standings) from time to time. I'd like to say I do, but I really don't. I am thankful I got to play there in my last year and all those 10 hour bus rides”, he stated with a chuckle. You don't miss them at all? "No, not at all.
It's the last thing I miss. That's for sure.”
It's the last thing I miss. That's for sure.”
From the Quote Rack:
359 days until Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis. The pre-game show starts next week.
There was a mix-up where temporary seats at Cowboys stadium weren’t completed to the satisfaction of the fire marshal. Which resulted in over 400 people who expected to be at the Super Bowl not being able to get into the game. Over 450 if you counted the roster of the Dallas Cowboys.
Actress Lindsay Lohan really enjoyed the Super Bowl. While the players were on the field, she was in the locker rooms rifling through their pockets.
New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez went ballistic when he saw video of girlfriend Cameron Diaz feeding him popcorn during the Super Bowl.
Later on, she held his barf bag as he watched the Black Eyed Peas’ halftime show.
Later on, she held his barf bag as he watched the Black Eyed Peas’ halftime show.
Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
The NewYork Post reports that Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has been seeing a 17-year old Connecticut high school girl. I wonder if she's running Buttofucco-hook patterns.
Albert Haynesworth was reportedly involved in a road rage incident in which he punched another driver after allegedly tailgating him. It's reportedly the first time he's caught someone from behind all year.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
A report says people pick friends who have similar genes to them. The only group that was different were NBA players who picked the people in their lives based on how they filled out their jeans.
Justin Bieber attended the Knicks-Mavericks game and got booed by the Madison Square Garden crowd. Not to worry; the Bieb is a Maple Leafs fan. He's used to hearing boos.
MMA fighter Alex Reid was reportedly given the boot by former glamour model and reality TV star Katie Price after just 11 months of marriage. The guy has spent more time in a headlock than he did in wedlock.
And in case you missed it:
A massive swarm of bees chased players off the field and forced Vista Hermosa and Alianza FC to cancel their soccer game in El Salvador on Jan. 31.
Alert statisticians immediately scored it Bee squad 1, A squads 0.
Alert statisticians immediately scored it Bee squad 1, A squads 0.
Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/
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: lifes too short on February 11 2011 2:30 PM