Hartley Miller's Slap-shots: February 9th Edition

By Hartley Miller

On Wednesday, February 14^th florists will try to convince you and your significant other that Valentine’s Day is a very important day (at least it is for their sales). However, according to a poll conducted by a Colorado Brewery Company many men consider the Super Bowl more important than Valentine's Day. Surprise! Surprise!

Valentine’s Day is about love, and although it is hard to believe, sports can be about love. Here’s a look at how sports and love can go hand-in-hand:

In the category of "no love lost between…" Whether it is the Red Sox vs Yankees, Calgary vs Edmonton (in any sport), or the Habs vs Leafs, the no love lost rivalry exists. In Prince George, how much love is there between the Cougars and the Spruce Kings?

In the category of "love on a one on one basis…" There was love in the air (not) when Bill Parcells collided with Terrell Owens, when Barry Bonds met the media, when Chris Chelios was in the same room as Ted Saskin or when Donald Trump tried to get the edge and intimidate Rosie O’Donnell. It is safe to assume that Valentine’s cards will not be exchanged between PG Cougars owner Rick Brodsky, and his former coach Stan Butler. I’m sure Cougars GM Dallas Thompson and his ex employee, Ed Dempsey of the Spruce Kings, won’t be smooching if they crossed paths on the 14^th.

In the category of "special love names…" Some sports personalities are "naturals" when celebrating Valentine’s Day. Players or former athletes make up a long list of "lovers’ that shine on February 14^th including: Ex PG Cougars goalie Tyler Love; golfer Davis Love the 3^rd; former big league player and manager Bobby Valentine; ex Toronto Blue Jay Candy Maldonado; former Seattle Mariners catcher Rick Sweet and ex Dallas Cowboys receiver Charlie Flowers. Flowers was a teammate of Jethro Pugh, who likely would head the anti-Valentine days team (But that’s a topic for a different day). The ultimate coach, fresh off his Super Bowl appearance, would be Lovey Smith of the Chicago Bears. And who better than "Kiss" to sing the national anthem should there be a game arranged.

At the end of this special day, these exclusive groups can get together and play some tennis. After all, the first point is worth a 15-love lead. Ex tennis vixen Anna Kournikova can surely relate to having a love score. Just to cap off the day to remember, they can catch their favorite episode of I Love Lucy.

So, there you have it sports guys. Don’t say I didn’t remind you about Valentine’s Day. You may be at a disadvantage if your last name isn’t Love; however, there are ways to make up for it. Remember that you likely won't score brownie points by mentioning the Super Bowl. That is, of course, if you believe in polls.

From the quote rack:

"The original asking price was $4.4 million before T.O., um, dropped it."

David Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, on reports that Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens put his Philadelphia home on the market for $3.4 million.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

Comedian Frenchie McFarlane, (www.frenchiemcfarlane.bravehost.com) on the ceremony in Montreal to retire Ken Dryden's number 29.

--A hockey score from the Asian Games in China: Kazakhstan 52 Thailand 1.

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. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.

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