HARTLEY’S HART ATTACK – (The sting of the PG Cougars final game) May 10, 2024 EDITION 992

The pain of losing in the Conference Finals will hit the Prince George Cougars and the Saskatoon Blades a bit more tonight (Friday) when the Portland Winterhawks host the Moose Jaw Warriors in Game one of the WHL Championship Series.

The Cougars and Blades were the number-one seeds, losing heart-breaking series to the number-two seeds.

If it is any consolation to Prince George, the Cougars suffering should be a lot less than the Blades.

While P.G. had its season end at home in double overtime (2-1) in Game 6 to Portland, Saskatoon took it a step further losing at home in overtime (3-2) in Game 7 to Moose Jaw.

Yes, that extra tease, taking it another game, adds to the anguish.

The Blades are in the record books having lost the series that set a league record with six overtimes.

Saskatoon is just like Prince George, having never won a WHL title.

There is a significant difference though.

The P.G. Cougars have not won in their 30-year history but that is mild compared to the Blades.

Saskatoon started in 1966 (yes 58 years ago) and the Blades are the only team that has played every season in the WHL in its original location.

I am not suggesting that it is a foregone conclusion that Prince George will win a Conference title in the near future but I am suggesting the Cougars have more talent on a better roster than the Blades for the 2024-25 season and likely beyond.

Did you notice while Prince George had a first-round Prospects pick (Dade Wotherspoon)
Thursday and Saskatoon did not?

The Blades traded that pick to Kamloops in the deal to acquire Fraser Minten.

Next year, the Cougars still own their first-round pick and again the Blades do not because that selection in 2025 also went to the Blazers in the Minten trade.

Okay, Saskatoon should be fine in 2026, right?

Wait a minute; the Blades first rounder in that year is also gone, this time to the Regina Pats in a deal made this season with the Regina Pats to obtain Alexander Suzdalev.

Cougars coach and general manager Mark Lamb has upgraded his team without giving up one of the coveted first round picks.

Prince George will lose a minimum eight players (three 20-year-olds and at least five 19-year-olds) for next season but the Cougars will still have an excellent group of returning players, that will include Riley Heidt, Terik Parascak and arguably (I am not sure there is an argument) the best 17-year-old goalie in the country in Josh Ravensbergen.

Saskatoon will lose a minimum 11 players (three 20-year-olds and at least eight 19-year-olds).

It does not appear the Blades have a lot of high-end talent returning other than the Northern B.C. boys; defenceman Tanner Molendyk of McBride and goalie Evan Gardner of Fort St. John.

I doubt at the moment this is any consolation for Cougars fans but it shows Lamb is doing it right by building both for the short and long term.

Regarding the game on Monday that ended the Cougars season, it was arguably (yes one can use that term this time) the highest-caliber junior hockey game ever played in Prince George.

We know it was the longest at 85 minutes and 40 seconds.

The pace was spectacular, the intensity was at peak efficiency, the compete-level was second to none, the shot-blocking was marvelous, the drama (considering the high stakes) was superb and the goaltending was simply the best.

It is usually gut-wrenching when a team has its season end without reaching its ultimate goal.

That loss could continue to sting for an extended period of time but if a team is going to lose, the Cougars went out in the best possible way with their chin up and head held high, leaving nothing left to give.

SERIES RESULTS

There can only be one.

The @MJWARRIORS and @pdxwinterhawks will battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup at the 2024 #WHLChampionship Series starting on Friday, May 10.

— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 8, 2024

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 guest is Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb.

The season ending @PGCougars Catscan #podcast with coach-G.M. Mark Lamb. He discusses successful season, loss to @pdxwinterhawks, exit meeting with players, departure of 20-year-olds, retooling roster- new prospects, working alongside Jim Playfair, summer plans & more. #hockey https://t.co/Ki2O5qVi7M

— Hartley Miller (@Hartley_Miller) May 8, 2024

FROM THE QUOTE RACK:

Denver’s Jamal Murray, who along with the rest of his team is having a tough time against Minnesota, threw a heat pack onto the court from the bench during play and will likely face discipline. I think it was his way of demanding a trade to the Miami Heat.

*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

Once again, reversed seasons in Toronto. Where spring is the time for falling Leafs.

*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

The Toronto Maple Leafs losing to the Boston Bruins Saturday night was their sixth consecutive loss of a Game 7. Even my 1990 VW performs better in the clutch.

Hartley Miller is the news and sports director/supervisor plus morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97fm. He has just finished 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).