The Prince George Spruce Kings 2016-17 regular season schedule has been under much scrutiny with 15 of their last 16 games on the road, meaning they have just one home game in the final six weeks.
Almost as bizarre, is that the Spruce Kings have three home games this week against the Wenatchee Wild in just a four day stretch.
The two teams met Wednesday, a 5-1 Wenatchee victory, and face off again tonight (Friday) and Saturday
at the RMCA.
Fans aren’t in favor of home double-headers against the same opponent but understand because of travel and finances they are necessary for northern based teams like the Spruce Kings and PG Cougars.
But triple-headers are taking it a step too far.
Now you see them, now you don’t, as Wenatchee, in the same Mainland Division, only make one trip to PG.
The other Mainland teams make a couple of journeys to Prince George, often for doubles.
Sure it is a long way from Wenatchee to PG (616 miles or about 11 hours) but three games against the same opponent in such a short span should be a no-no.
Would it really be that difficult to rearrange the schedule so that the Wild play two doubles at the RMCA (like last season)?
Money will always play a part in BCHL scheduling and playoff format which is understandable.
However, judging by the tiny crowd of 621 fans on Wednesday, it is reasonable to assume that it will be the Spruce Kings taking a financial hit for hosting the same team over and over and over again in such a brief time.
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The Spruce Kings pre-season optimism (going 3-0 against the Grande Prairie Storm) could be fading quickly.
I wrote in a column a couple of weeks ago to not put any stock into exhibition results.
It’s also fair to suggest not too read much after just three games of a six month regular season but this is not start the Spruce Kings were looking for.
Not only are they winless (0-2-1) but they have been outscored 11-3 in front of their own fans.
Granted, Penticton and Wenatchee are two of the better teams in the BCHL but losing by four goals to each of them is not a good sign.
After finishing 16th in the 17-team league last season, the fragile Spruce Kings must have felt it was imperative to get some wins under their belt early, especially with 14 of their first 18 games on home ice.
Sure, it’s only mid-September, but one gets the feeling the pressure is building for all in the Spruce Kings organization.
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One play sticks out from week one of the NFL regular season.
The Oakland Raiders, down 34-33 after scoring a touchdown with 47 seconds left in the 4th quarter, decided to go for a two-point conversion.
Percentages, wisdom and logic would suggest to kick the convert and then hope for an overtime win.
“I was thinking that we’re here to win; let’s win it right now,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees told reporters it was a “ballsy move.”
Because it worked, as Raiders quarterback Derek Carr completed the pass in the end zone to receiver Michael Crabtree, Del Rio is being mostly applauded for the gamble.
The decision to go for two added entertainment value to an already dramatic high scoring game.
The risk paid off but I don’t think this will set a trend, although more and more teams may consider going for two since the kick for one is no longer automatic.
Head Coaches are mostly conservative by nature and like to go by the percentages. The odds were not in Oakland’s favor.
Based on ESPN’s win prob. model, the Raiders had 51% chance to win if they kicked the point after attempt & 44% chance if they went for 2.
To me, it’s like telling the dealer when sitting with 15 on a Black Jack hand to put another card down and then crossing your fingers for a six or less.
When it works one can feel like they just won 100 grand but when it doesn’t it can feel like the bank is re-possessing your house.
From a fan’s perspective, we want to see that gamble each time however, if a coach makes it a habit, his boss won’t have much patience when it fails.
We have all heard the expression “Go big or go home”. It sounds catchy but over the long haul the “odds” undoubtedly will win out.
From the Quote Rack:
At “Dancing with the Stars,” Ryan Lochte was rushed by an audience member who was tackled by security. Or as Ryan described it, “I was attacked by an ISIS commando raid, but fought them off.”
Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg
A Guinness record for most dogs at a sporting event was set as 1,122 dogs showed up for a Chicago White Sox game. The Cleveland Browns’ Dog Pound has filed an official protest.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Vin Scully said he won’t broadcast the postseason so that his last game will be the Dodgers-Giants in San Francisco on October 2nd. So maybe he has less faith in how LA will do in the playoffs than even Giants fans.
Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
CBC News icon Peter Mansbridge has announced his retirement. His twin brother in BC, Port Mansbridge congratulated him and said he should just relax, lay back and collect tolls.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
And in case you missed it:
BBC News reports Tokyo companies are paying for workshops to teach staff how to cry. Not to be outdone, several Toronto firms bought employees Maple Leafs tickets.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3
radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller