Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots January 26th Edition

Friday, January 26, 2007 03:45 AM

Throughout a long hockey season, teams will experience "highs" and "lows". In the last few games, the Prince George Spruce Kings, the PG Cougars and the Vancouver Canucks are on an upswing. In mid December all three of these clubs were a bust, but fortunes appear to have to turned around in all three cases.

….let’s look at the Spruce Kings:

The deadline deals that had them acquire snipers Tyler Helfrich, Jason Yuel and Alain Joanette plus goalie Jordan White have given the organization a much needed shot in the arm. In their first five games with the team, the Spruce Kings won all five (although the opposition for the most part was not among the BCHL’s elite).Still, the Spruce Kings are better. The Kings may not win a Conference or League title, but having a respectable product on the ice when they host the RBC in May may be realistic. If this is true, then hockey fans will hear a huge sigh of relief from the diehard supporters.

…..now the Cougars:

Three wins in a row against two of the three worst teams in the WHL (Kelowna 3-2 and Chilliwack 4-0 and 5-0) is nothing party about, but this club badly needs something positive to talk about. Like the Spruce Kings, expectations were very high at the start of the season, but more losses than victories have resulted in dwindling attendance figures. The one problem the Cougars will face in their final 26 regular season games is motivation because barring a complete collapse they will end up 3rd in the weak BC Division.

Until the playoffs, competition will, in part, have to come from within. This will be highlighted by the Scott Bowles-Real Cyr battle in goal; both are coming off a shutout which is obviously a good sign, but it will be games against Kamloops and Vancouver that should tell the story. The waiting game for the Cougars continues.

…and last, but not least, the Canucks:

Surprisingly in their last dozen games, the Canucks have 10 wins, a shootout loss and a regulation loss, which translates into 21 out of a possible 24 points. The Roberto Luongo trade looks better with each game that passes. His confidence transcends through the rest of the team, and when he allows a bad goal, the team maintains it’s poise. In the past, Vancouver goalies have been ridiculed, especially when they have allowed a soft goal. However, Luongo has silenced the critics. He seems to make that sizzling save with the game on the line, and there is no substitute for this clutch performance. Canucks GM Dave Nonis is the guy responsible for acquiring Luongo, which is a respectable legacy to leave behind.

Yes, times seem to be better these days for the favorite teams of many Prince George hockey fans. I guess, in the hockey world, this is what a few wins will do. So, enjoy the ride Spruce Kings, Cougars and Canucks. History, however, indicates it may be a short one!

From the quote rack:

"You know who paid his bail? The guy who was going to be his cellmate." NBC’s Jay Leno, on former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson being released on a $25,000 bond after
an arrest on cocaine charges.

"David Beckham is coming to the United States. People say he could make a huge impact on the way Americans ignore soccer." Jay Leno

"Good news for the Cincinnati Reds. Ken Griffey Jr.’s agent announced that the outfielder’s broken hand should be healed in time for him to be injured again in spring training." Janice Hough in the Seattle Times

"And that’s on top of time already served playing for the Lions." Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times, after Detroit safety Kenoy Kennedy pleaded guilty to drunken driving and faces up to 93 days in jail.

"T.O. says that Bill Parcells ’is like my grandmother’ Oh, yes. I remember her from ’Throw Momma From the Train’"Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

"Now I know why Mark McGwire appeared sleeker at the steroid hearings in 2005--his suit was designed by the makers of the new NHL uniforms." Bill Littlejohn

"Austrian skier Rainer Schoenfelder skied naked last weekend to settle a dispute. Here’s hoping Rosie O’Donnell doesn’t get any bright ideas to settle her spat with The Donald." Jeff Funnekotter of Calgary to Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix

"If this catches on, look out for a new event: The Super-G String." Lisa Dillman of the L.A. Times, on Schoenfelder’s run in the buff.

And in case you missed it:

Boxing was voted the toughest sport in the world in ESPN’s ’toughness’ ranking of 60 sports. Hockey was second followed by football, basketball and wrestling. Curling was 56th only ahead of bowling, shooting, billiards and fishing.