Hartley Miller's Slapshots - December 28th Edition

By Hartley Miller

The 2007 sports world in Prince George featured many unforgettable moments. What were the most memorable sports events in PG this year? I have narrowed my list to the top three, and although the choices may be hard to dispute, the order is definitely arguable. Let the debate begin: First, my honorable mentions:

Women’s Hockey:  Women's hockey was given a shot in the arm with the National Women's Team Fall Festival at the Coliseum. Team Canada White blanked Team Canada Red 4-0 in the final. Sweden placed 3^rd.

Major Midget Hockey:  The Cariboo Cougars hosted the best of three BC Major Midget Hockey League Playoff Final where they dropped a pair of 4-1 decisions to the Vancouver Northwest Giants.

Curling:  The 81^st Annual Molson's Kelly Cup Mens’ Bonspiel included an international field with Team Korea, losing the championship game 8-5 to Bill Fisher of the host PG Golf and Curling Club. The Spiel will also be remembered for the inspired play of Wilf Peckham, who competed in his record 62^nd straight Kelly.

Lacrosse:  The Shooters Pub Devils not only claimed the Dale Rolufs Memorial Trophy but they finished with a perfect record in the PG Senior Lacrosse regular season and playoffs.

Of course, there were other significant sports memories in PG and several outstanding efforts from local athletes and teams at out of town events.

Without further ado, here are my top three in reverse order:

Bronze Medal: The Prince George Cougars playoff run. The Cougars pulled off a mild upset in the first round, sweeping Kamloops with four one goal victories. It was in round two that jaws dropped and eyes popped as the Cats knocked off the regular season champion Everett Silvertips 4 games to 2. Everett finished 37 points ahead of PG in the regular season. The Cougars came back down to earth in the Western Conference final, falling 4-1 to the Vancouver Giants.

Silver Medal: The Royal Bank Cup. I think this one may top several lists. The tournament won't necessarily be remembered for the final (Aurora Tigers 3 PG Spruce Kings 1 in front of an announced crowd of just 3,330 fans) but for the Camrose Kodiaks-Spruce Kings semi-final won by the home team 3-2. It was a game I certainly won't forget and can honestly say I was there for the entire 6 hour marathon.  Jason Yuel scored on a power-play at 6:01 of the 5^th overtime period, redirecting a pass from Tyler Helfrich ending the longest game in RBC and Spruce Kings history.  Jordan White made 91 saves as Camrose out-shot PG 93-77.

Gold Medal: So what could beat out both the Cougars getting to the WHL Final Four and the Spruce Kings playing for a National Championship? Well, it's the opening of the 30-million dollar Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre at UNBC. This facility, which many thought was a pipe dream, will long be tied with the city. The one hour opening ceremony culminated years of work and preparation by a dedicated committee that overcame every obstacle along the way. There may not have been the excitement of an overtime winning goal, but the tears of joy with a first class Sports Centre becoming a reality will not be topped.

From the quote rack:

(10 of the best or worst, depending on your point of view, of what was said in 2007)

“However, it's believed Bonds might be featured on the cover of a new cereal: Cheaties." Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, after a Wheaties spokesperson announced the company has no  plans to put home run king Barry Bonds on the cover of its cereal boxes.

“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.

“Former Danish cyclist Bo Hamburger has admitted to using the banned substance EPO from 1995 to 1997. EPO served as 'Hamburger Helper'?” Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“Remains will be cremated, and then the ashes will be dumped over some coach's head.” Drew Curtis of Fark.com, on the passing of Gatorade inventor Robert Cade.

“In his honor many will observe a moment of conversation.” Comedy writer Janice Hough (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com) of Palo Alto, California, following
the death of Marcel Marceau.

“NFL player Travis Henry has fathered 9 children with 9 different women thus earning him the title...."Player of the Year"
"USC without a Trojan" Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

“No way the Bears QB has been sacked that much."  Elliott Harris of the Chicago Sun-Times, after Boomer Esiason of CBS called Rex Grossman "the
Paris Hilton of NFL quarterbacks".

He plaed pin the tale on the real killers." Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg, on how O.J. Simpson celebrated his 60th birthday

“He will celebrate with coffee and doughnuts.”  Drew Curtis of fark.com, after Colorado Avalanche defenceman Karlis Skrastins broke Tim Horton's
NHL record of 486 consecutive games.

 The  NBA schedule for next season will be released in about a month, and after that's released, NBA referee Tim Donaghy will release a list of the winners." NBC's Jay Leno

And in case you missed it:

2008 promises to be great. Have a healthy, safe New Year !

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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