The Prince George Cougars have been nothing short of superb no matter where they play but the enthusiastic crowds at CN Centre have taken them to another level.
The Cougars are 4-0 at home in the playoffs, outscoring the opposition by a gigantic 22-5 margin.
They also won their last four home games in the regular season.
In fact, the Cougars have not lost at CN Centre in regulation time in a whopping three months since January 20th when they fell 2-1 to the Portland Winterhawks, which is likely a preview of the Western Conference Final.
The only slight blemish over their last 15 home games was a 5-4 overtime loss to the Spokane Chiefs on March 1st.
The fans in P.G. have made a difference and high demand has kept tickets flying off the shelves, or wherever the tickets are kept.
Over 34 home games in the 2023-24 season, the Cougars’ average attendance was 3,519, a nearly 30% jump from the previous 22-23 season.
In the playoffs that average figure has skyrocketed to a near capacity of 5,774 based on crowds of 5,692, 5,678, 5,867 and 5,858.
Prince George has the best playoff attendance in the Western Conference and the second best post-season attendance in the entire league, behind Saskatoon (which has more than twice the amount of seats than P.G.).
Here is the ranking order along with approximate unofficial seating capacity:
(Note: Some teams have played midweek home games while the Cougars four have been on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays). Having stated that, P.G. has filled its rink closer to capacity more than any other WHL team that has an arena that can seat more than 3,000 people).
(1) Saskatoon 8,255 (five games) Capacity 15,000
(2) Prince George 5,774 (four games) Capacity 5,967 including standing room
(3) Portland 5,603 (four games) Capacity 12,000
(4) Medicine Hat 4,653 (three games) Capacity 7,100
(5) Everett 4,427 (four games) Capacity 8,149
(6) Red Deer 4,308 (four games) Capacity 7,819
(7) Moose Jaw 4,109 (four games) Capacity 4,500
(8) Kelowna 3,829 (five games) Capacity 6,886
(9) Spokane 3,520 (two games) Capacity 10,336
(10) Lethbridge 3,517 (two games) Capacity 5,479
(11) Victoria 3,112 (two games) Capacity 7,006
(12) Prince Albert 2,928 (two games) Capacity 2,580 plus 786 standing room
(13) Swift Current 2,890 (four games) Capacity 2,879
(14) Vancouver 2,877 (two games) Capacity 5,276
(15) Wenatchee 2,344 (three games) Capacity 4,300
(16) Brandon 2,057 (two games) Capacity 5,102
SERIES SCHEDULE
| Game | Date | Visitor | Home | Time |
| 1 | Friday, April 12 | Kelowna 0 | Prince George 4 | 7:00 p.m. PST |
| 2 | Saturday, April 13 | Kelowna 0 | Prince George 5 | 6:00 p.m. PST |
| 3 | Tuesday, April 16 | Prince George 4 | Kelowna 3 (OT) | 7:05 p.m. PST |
| 4 | Wednesday, April 17 | Prince George 1 | Kelowna 2 | 7:05 p.m. PST |
| 5 | Friday, April 19 | Kelowna | Prince George | 7:00 p.m. PST |
| 6* | Sunday, April 21 | Prince George | Kelowna | 2:05 p.m. PST |
| 7* | Tuesday, April 23 | Kelowna | Prince George | 7:00 p.m. PST |
*-If necessary
When it comes to noise in the building, Prince George is a clear winner.
Another full house tonight (Friday) of over 58-hundred against Kelowna in Game 5 is another example of how the fans have had a positive influence on the Cougars current playoff run.
Cat Scan podcast:
This is season six of Hartley’s Cat Scan, a weekly podcast show that predominately features the PG Cougars.
This week’s guests are Darnell Toth (Showcaller) and Jessica Speziale (In game host and corporate sponsorships) a husband and wife team that work for the Cougars.
Husband & wife Darnell Toth & Jessica Speziale have two different key jobs with the @PGCougars. What goes on behind the scenes with the #WHL team in the Cat Scan #podcast. Topics include: game-day experience, communication with fans, pre-game show, & atmosphere at CN Centre. https://t.co/owWTdcNJhH
— Hartley Miller (@Hartley_Miller) April 15, 2024
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
NBA announced Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter has been banned from the NBA for life over a gambling scandal. Stay tuned for in-depth reports on the story sponsored by Fanduel and ESPN Bet.
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
This month, accused and acquitted double murderer O.J. Simpson and 70s wife and family swapper Yankee Fritz Peterson both passed away. At the St. Peter’s Gate Departure Station for the final destination, O.J. asked Fritz if he wanted to swap tickets.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
In case you missed it, Pittsburgh police dropped all charges against a man arrested for throwing a catfish onto the ice. Turns out it was a bass-less accusation.
Hartley Miller is the news and sports director/supervisor plus morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97fm. He is in his 11th year as the radio colour commentator for the Prince George Cougars home games. Hartley has been on the airwaves in PG since 1979 and is the author of You Don’t Say (sports quotes).