Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots October 26th Edition

Tuesday, November 30, 1999 12:00 AM

Comebacks and unpredictability are reasons why fans love sports, and the teams they support.

Let’s look at the Prince George Cougars. After beginning the season 1-6 (six at home), the team embarked on a six game prairie road trip. Cynics predicted a 1-5, or perhaps a 2-4 record on their eastern swing. If those forecasts were accurate then the Cougars would have found themselves squarely behind the eight ball with either a 2-11 or possibly 3-10 record.

As they prepare for three home games, in four nights (tonight and Saturday vs Chilliwack and Monday vs Vancouver), the Cats sit 5-8 following a very surprising 4-2 prairie trip. “My goal going out there was to go a minimum of .500. We knew that there were games that if we played well we would have a chance. You know 4-2 probably exceeded our expectations”, stated Cougars head coach Drew Schoneck.

The Swift Current game really captured my attention. The east-leading Broncos had already trounced the Cougars 6-1 earlier this season at CN Centre. When Swift Current jumped out to a 4-1 lead with three unanswered goals in the second it certainly appeared the game was over. The Cats could have easily folded, considered the trip (regardless of the Broncos result) a success and headed home.

However, here is where the unpredictability factor plays a role. Who would have thought the Cougars would score three straight goals in the third period (capped off by Jordie Deagle's marker with 6:09 left)? Did anyone think that defenseman Ty Wishart would have the only goal in the shootout
in the 5-4 triumph?

Keep in mind, Swift Current outscored PG 9-1 over the first five periods of head to head play this season. “Our guys have showed a never quit attitude all year. It just goes to show that if you stick with your plan and play hard for 60 minutes anything can happen as evidenced by scores throughout the league, not only with our team, but with other teams throughout the WHL. I don't think there is a runaway hockey club that everybody can say they are Memorial Cup favorites”, affirmed Schoneck.

On the same night the Cougars were recovering from a 4-1 deficit, the PG Spruce Kings almost blew a 4-1 lead. The Kings controlled the first two periods against the Surrey Eagles and were full value for the three goal advantage after 40 minutes. The general feeling for the approximately 800 fans at the Coliseum was the game was pretty much over, but just like that, “bingo, bango, bongo”, the Eagles scored 3 straight goals, within 7 minutes. Of course, Surrey had momentum on its side, and the game appeared to change full circle. Yet, it was the Spruce Kings who notched the winning goal resulting in a 5-4 victory (thanks to Reid Fraser's second goal of the game, converting a rebound, with just 3:15 left).

This was one of those rare nights when the Cougars won despite trailing 4-1 late, and the Spruce Kings won while blowing a 4-1 lead late. The morale of this story- its junior hockey (pardon the cliché) so expect the unexpected.

From the quote rack:

“Some likened her to a gazelle, but I'll always picture her as a cheetah."Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, on the running style of disgraced American sprinter Marion Jones.

“After another anemic week on offense for San Francisco, should we think about renaming them the 4th and 9ers?Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California

“Overhead cameras for the team's games are carried by the Bad Year Blimp." Steve Harvey of the LA Times, on how bad it has been this season for the 0-7 Miami Dolphins.

“Saskatoon is in the midst of a baby boom and officials say it could be due to a blizzard 9 months ago, an economic upturn or a promotional visit by Travis Henry.”Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

“Maybe Tom Arnold's ex would have been more effective.” Calgary comedian Jeff Funnekotter, in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, after the Cleveland Indians tried
to distract Red Sox ace Josh Beckett prior to game five of the ALCS, by having his attractive former-girlfriend, Danielle Peck, sing the national anthem.

“Sacramento Kings reserve center Justin Williams says that the encounter between he, his girlfriend, and the alleged victim was consensual. Well, I see that Justin was working on his treys in the off-season.”Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“This is what happens, some would say, when you play the 19th hole before you play the first." Dan Daly of the Washington Times, after John Daly withdrew from a PGA Tour event in Verona, N.Y., because of so-called flu-like symptoms.

And in case you missed it:

Cleveland Cavalier superstar LeBron James used this monologue to introduce himself on the television show Saturday Night Live.

“For those of you who don't watch basketball, this past season we went to the NBA Finals, and we swept the San Antonio Spurs in four games. And for those of you, who do watch basketball, be cool. Shut up. No reason to ruin it for everybody else."

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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