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HomeSportsHart AttackHartley Miller’s Hart Attack – October 9, 2015 Edition 544

Hartley Miller’s Hart Attack – October 9, 2015 Edition 544

Despite optimism from the team, and an encouraging 5-1 season opening victory in Calgary, the Vancouver Canucks will be hard pressed to equal the 101 points, 5th most in the Western Conference, they accumulated in 2014-15.

How far they fall is where the debate begins unless one is a big believer in the inconsistent Brandon Sutter, journeyman Adam Cracknell or unproven back-up goalie Jacob Markstrom.

Sutter was given a boost playing with the Sedins against the Flames (and he responded with a couple of points), but it is just an experiment to start the season.

Enthusiastic rookies are part of the sell in Vancouver. 19-year-old forwards Jake Virtanen and Jared McCann plus 22-year-old defenceman Ben Hutton are part of the team’s future but will need plenty of time to develop.

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20-year-old centre Bo Horvat seems ready for a bigger role, although it may be too soon to expect him to carry the second line.

The core group, including the Sedins, Vrbata, Miller, Hamhuis, Edler and Tanev will again provide solid leadership but their overall performance likely won’t rival the elite team’s top players.

Three-on-three overtime could decide if the Canucks and several other bubble teams sneak into the playoffs.

In the 2015 pre-season, there was a goal scored in 42 of the 59 three-on-three overtime periods played for a whopping 71.2 %.

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Pressure, drama and excitement! They are among the reasons to give the thumbs up to the one game sudden death wild card in both the American and National Leagues.

A bit of Russian Roulette right after the regular season adds to the intrigue although Yankees and Pirates fans may not buy into that argument.

Many critics have suggested that after 162 games, a one game winner takes all doesn’t seem fair but keep in mind none of the four wild card teams won their division.

Granted, the Pirates and Cubs had the 2nd and 3rd best records in the Majors this year, but there is no need to drag on the playoff schedule. The season is too long as it stands.

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The six Division winners would get penalized with a lengthy layoff should the wild card round be extended to a best of 3 series.

The Cardinals, Mets and Dodgers all had four days off between games while the Royals, Blue Jays and Rangers were idle for three days. The players on those teams don’t want their routine altered further with an extended rest.

With the Astros and Cubs surviving the one game playoff, they now attempt to duplicate what took place in 2014. (Houston is off to a good start with a 5-2 win in Kansas City) Yes, last year the World Series participants were both Wild Card teams that peaked at the right time.

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There’s an empty feeling on the Prince George ball scene following the passing of John Kazakoff. The PG Sports Hall of Fame member had an immense passion for baseball.

He loved all aspects of the game, but more importantly enjoyed the many friendships that came along with his long time association to the Prince George Senior Baseball League.

“Kaz” started as player upon his arrival to the City in 1974 and later took on various other roles including coach, manager and organizer. He spearheaded the Prince George Grays that began play in the BC Junior Baseball League in 1997. Just three years later, he guided the Grays to the League championship.

Kazakoff lost his battle with cancer at age 70 and as a result P.G. baseball has lost a legend that will be deeply missed.

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Most of the NFL teams are 25 % into their 16 game regular season schedule and its clear parity is not part of the picture.

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23 of the 32 teams have a .500 record or less. The AFC South has the worst division with combined record of 6-11.

The Detroit Lions may have the only 0-4 record, but in reality they aren’t the worst team. That distinction belongs to either 1-3 Jacksonville, Tampa, Chicago or San Francisco. The 49’ers have the worst net points in the league at minus 62 which is only 5 better than the Bears.

In what may be the worst match-up of the NFL season, the Bucs are favored by 3 over the visiting Jags Sunday which doesn’t seem significant until one factors in that Tampa has lost 11 straight home games.

In the CFL, the BC Lions knocked Saskatchewan out of the playoff picture last weekend and they can do the same to Winnipeg with a win over the visiting Blue Bombers Saturday.

Rookie Jonathan Jennings has been impressive in his two starts at quarterback which leaves one wondering whether an injury prone Travis Lulay will ever get his starting job back.

From the Quote Rack:

Russian President Putin scored seven goals in his 63rd birthday hockey game. Meanwhile, Vegas is posting odds on whose body his head is superimposed upon in the photo.

Alaska Airlines misplaced its own CEO’s baggage. Didn’t Trent Baalke do that when he let Jim Harbaugh get away?

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

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The NFL is looking at playing some future games in Mexico. Talk about a way to undercut Donald Trump’s allegations that criminals only come north across the border.

A downtown Orlando bar is giving away free beer during UCF (University of Central Florida) games until the Golden Knights actually win a football game. Of course there is a hidden cost… actually having to watch UCF football games.

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

After the bench clearing shoving match between the Pirates and the Cubs, cameras showed Pittsburgh’s Sean Rodriguez punching the hell out of a Gatorade cooler. The next morning, he received a million dollar sponsorship offer from Powerade and Red Bull.

Jessica Mendoza has made history by being the first female announcer on ESPN MLB. She was hired to replace Curt Schilling who was suspended by the network. Jessica won’t be sporting a bloody sock but may show up with a run in her hosiery.

Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/

Reuters reports mathematicians used a unique formula to prove a 17th-century emperor fathered 888 children in just 30 years. He also excelled at basketball.

The New York Jets brought their own toilet paper to London, England. Now there’s a team desperate to get on a roll.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com


And in case you missed it:

In response to poor fan reaction in their first preseason game, the Islanders announced that they were scrapping their new goal horn, which was designed to simulate the sound of an approaching NYC subway train. Boy, talk about getting off on the wrong track.

Comedy writer Marc Ragovin

Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller

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