Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots March 30th Edition

Friday, March 30, 2007 03:45 AM

Although the Cariboo Cougars were a great success story this season most Prince George Minor Hockey Association (PGMHA) Rep teams struck out again at the Provincials.

The Cougars won the 2006-07 BC Major Midget Hockey League regular season title, and placed second in the playoffs, behind the Vancouver Northwest Giants. While the Cougars are based out of PG, many of their players are from the Northern B.C. region.

The PGMHA Rep teams, consisting of just local residents, on the other hand, finished their season with less than flattering results at the BC Minor Hockey Championships:

The Pee Wee Triple A team was third out of six (3-2 record) in Cloverdale.

Highly touted Midget Triple A placed fourth (2-3) in Kelowna.

Bantam Triple A came sixth out of seven (2-4) in Abbotsford.

The Juveniles (1-4) in Nanaimo, Midget B (1-4) in Kelowna, Bantam B (0-3-2) in Delta
and Peewee B in Burnaby (1-4) all were fifth out of six.

Midget Female settled for fifth out of seven (2-4) in Kamloops.

Bantam Female (0-6) in Castlegar and Peewee Female (0-3) in Saanich both finished last

PGMHA President, Jane Newman, has no explanation for the results. "I really don't have an answer. We seem to not to do well at provincials. We have always struggled with the Victoria Racquet Clubs and the Burnaby Winter Clubs. Sometimes I think the format (schedule) of the provincials hurts out teams that have had to go so far".

Newman says she is not disappointed with the performance but adds, "I was really surprised at the midget females because they have done really well the past couple of years."

Brad Crossan, PG Integris Credit Union Bantam B Coach, feels Prince George goes to the BC Finals with the odds stacked against them. "People have to put it in perspective. The winter clubs are bringing in kids from down in the States, basically all over. With the bigger centers and the recruiting going on behind the scenes it kind of puts you at a disadvantage. All in all I think tournament play throughout the year is a better indication of where our teams sit. I know our team won a Burnaby tournament, I know Jason Garneau's (Triple A Midget) team did well and the same with the Peewee Triple A and Peewee B. I think that is something more to use as a gage as oppose to Provincials."

Although Crossan’s team didn't win any games, they did bring home the "Fair Play Trophy".

It is interesting to note that the winners of the last six BC Triple-A Midget titles are Juan De Fuca (2007), Cranbrook (06), Kelowna (05), Kamloops (04), Williams Lake (03) and Kelowna again (02). In other words, no Vancouver based team in the group.

While Prince George faltered on the scoreboard at the BC Minor Hockey Championships the same can't be said for a tiny community an hour west of the city. Yes, the Vanderhoof Bears won three provincials earning top spot in Pee Wee A (in its hometown), Midget A (in Burns Lake) and Bantam A (in Sooke).

Spin it how you like, but Vanderhoof clearly has bragging rights over Prince George. Now that's something you don't hear every day.

From the quote rack:

"Welcome back, Butch Casualty and the Sidelined Kid." Steve Rosenbloom of ChicagoSports.com, on frequently injured pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior returning to the Chicago Cubs.

"David Wells announced recently that he has diabetes and will have to drastically alter his diet if he wants to live. In other news, the 7-11 Convenience Store chain has filed for bankruptcy." Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

"Jake Plummer says he may return to the Bucs. Hmmm.It's getting close to April Fool's Day, isn't it?" Bill Littlejohn

"No, he's not Tom's son." Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, after the New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end Kyle Brady."Simply by not being arrested, though, Jones earned the Bengals' 'Citizen of the Week' award." Pete Entegart of SI.com, after Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was cited for an altercation with Cincinnati Bengals tackle Levi Jones at a blackjack table in Las Vegas.

"We are down from 65 to the final four. But enough about who might be the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s baby, the NCAA Tournament is also winding down."
Comedian Alex Kaseberg "Poor guy grabbed the stick and got the shaft." Richard Oliver of the San Antonio Express-News on golfer Boo Weekley being assessed a two-stroke penalty for removing the flag out of a hole for his playing partner, without permission.

And in case you missed it:

Hockey's greatest defenceman, Bobby Orr, recently celebrated a double birthday of sorts. According to Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times, "Orr turned 59, and his knees turned 89."