Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots March 23rd Edition

By Hartley Miller

Finally! The Prince George Cougars are involved in meaningful hockey. According to the standings, the Kamloops Blazers should be favored in their WHL Western Conference quarter-finals series against the Cougars. However, if one analyzes this match-up closely, Kamloops will be hard pressed to win this best of seven series.

The Blazers finished the regular season with more points (86-74) and more goals (245-221) than the Cougars. The goals against were comparable (222 Kamloops and 217 PG) and both teams managed five wins against each other in the season series.

In the first two-thirds of the season Kamloops challenged Vancouver for the division title. This was a surprise, especially since the Blazers missed the playoffs last season. However, reality quickly set in and Kamloops faded down the stretch, winning just 2 of its last 16 games, with 3 of its recent losses against PG (6-3, 8-1 & 4-2). This downward spiral confirmed an earlier belief that the Blazers were not as good as their first half record indicated.

On the other hand, Kamloops is not as bad as recent games show. Two key Blazer forwards were injured and not in the lineup in their last two games in PG (MVP candidate Reid Jorgensen and European standout, Juuso Puustinen) both of whom averaged more than a point per game.

Then again, the Cougars underachieved in the first half. But, Prince George improved its play winning 14 of its last 23 games. It should be noted the Cats didn’t play under any pressure all season because they were destined to finish third since before Christmas.

In goal, Dustin Butler was a great acquisition for Kamloops, but like the rest of the team, he faded near the end of the season. His overall numbers (2.81 GAA and 87.90 save percentage) aren't great. Conversely, Scott Bowles has been solid for PG (2.43 GAA and 90.90 save percentage). Real Cyr (2.66 GAA and 90.40 save percentage) also anxiously awaits his first playoff start if Bowles falters.

On defence, The Blazers top producer, Ray Macias (point per game), has a wrist injury, and may, or may not, be available in the series. With his status in question, the Cougars have a slight edge on the backend.

Up front, Kamloops will rely heavily on Brock Nixon (79 pts), Puustinen (71 points) and Jorgensen (68 points). However, the quality of talent drops considerably after these three core players. On the other side, Devin Setoguchi of the Cougars (65 pts in 55 games) should be the top sniper on the ice for either team. Dana Tyrell (56 pts), Eric Hunter (55 pts), Jared Walker (55 pts), Nick Drazenovic (50 pts), and even Greg Gardner (32 pts but most in the last half) gives the Cats a better supporting cast.

Behind the bench, the Blazers have an advantage since Dean Clark has more experience than the duo of Drew Schoneck and Dallas Thompson.

Special teams show Prince George with the penalty kill advantage (84.10 % to 80.3) and Kamloops with a slightly better power-play (18.3 % to 17.62)

The Cougars haven't won a playoff series in seven years, while the Blazers haven't won in eight. This Cougars team was manufactured for a long playoff run. I doubt this will happen, but it is realistic to expect PG to win this series, or depending how you look at it, Kamloops to lose.

The pick: Cougars in six.

From the quote rack:

"The Dodgers have sent Matt White, the pitcher that discovered a rock quarry on his property, to the minors. Is that minors or miners?" Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

And in case you missed it:

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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