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HomeSportsHart AttackHartley Miller’s Hart Attack – October 30, 2015 Edition 547

Hartley Miller’s Hart Attack – October 30, 2015 Edition 547

The 12 game mark represents one-sixth of the regular season for the Prince George Cougars.

The Cougars have been like a yo-yo, up one game and down the next.

10 of their 12 Cougars games have been decided by three goals or more and the other two by two goals. In other words, when they win they look superb, but when they lose often they appear lethargic.

Yes, the Cats still have not experienced three on three overtime. The law of averages suggest that will change in the near future.

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The stats affirm they are the epitome of a .500 team. The Cougars have a 6-6 record and are 5-5 in their last 10. They have scored 33 goals and surrendered 33 goals.

In addition, P.G. is in the middle of the B.C. Division standings, third out of five teams.

The Cougars power play is sputtering again. They are 20th out of 22 with the man advantage (15.1%) with three shorthanded goals against. In 2014-15, the PP was 20th.

The penalty kill is showing improvement; ranked 11th (78.3%) with four shorthanded goals for. The Prince George PK was worst in the league last season (71.9%).

It is still too early to assess where the Cougars are in relation to their main competition but based on the small sample size, they are like many other teams, still striving to achieve respectability.

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The PG Cougars acquired Jesse Gabrielle from the Regina Pats to be an impact player and to date he has delivered in every way.

The 18-year-old Gabrielle has a team high nine goals in just 12 games and his knack for finding the net has come every way possible.

The Boston Bruins 4th round pick has four goals at even strength, two on the power play and a WHL leading three shorthanded. In addition, Gabrielle has two assists and is plus two.

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He also plays with an edge, living up to his billing as an agitator with 23 penalty minutes, an average of nearly two a game.

Gabrielle, who has embraced a leadership role, was recognized by the WHL as Player of the week with 7 points in 4 games, helping the Cats going 3-1.

He was acquired for 17-year-old forward Lane Zablocki, who has 6 points, including four goals in 12 games and is a plus five. Yes, the Pats have been pleased with their investment.

Gabrielle has been the Cougars best and most consistent skater. He admitted his confidence shot up after going to the Bruins pro camp.

Gabrielle is one of those players, with a well rounded game, that easily adjusted to his new surroundings in Prince George for which the Cougars must be grateful.

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The PG Cougars next home game is Monday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes who are undeniably the most improved team in the league. The Hurricanes turnaround is eye-popping.

Lethbridge has won eight straight and enjoy the second best record at 10-2 while scoring 55 goals and allowing 32 for a plus 23 goal differential.

Last season, the Hurricanes had the second worst record in the WHL with a 20-44-5-3 mark with a goal differential of -102. They scored 202 times while giving up 304.

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One might suggest Lethbridge (which has been in the doldrums for many seasons) is overachieving with its fast start, however, the Hurricanes appear well on their way to finally changing their culture.

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The Prince George Spruce Kings can take little consolation they were more competitive against the first place Wenatchee Wild in the 3-0 loss (with the last goal into an empty net) than they were at the start of the season when they were crushed by the expansion Wild 5-1 and 8-0. The two teams meet again tonight at the PG Coliseum.

The losing is taking its toll on the 4-12-0-1 Spruce Kings, who already are eight points out of a playoff spot with attendance shrinking.

The smallest crowd of the season, 580, attended Thursday’s game, well below the team’s average of 900.

The BCHL average attendance this season is 1,345 with Wenatchee leading the way at 2,752 a game.

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The good news for the Vancouver Canucks is they have lost just twice in regulation in their first 10 games.

The bad news is they have blown a third period lead in four games, thus settling for one point following a defeat in 3 on 3 overtime.

The latest debacle came in Dallas when Vancouver coughed up a 3-1 advantage in the final frame.

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The four losses beyond regulation time is already twice as many as any other NHL team, however, an optimist will point out the loser points at the end of the season may end up making the difference whether the Canucks return to the playoffs or not.


From the Quote Rack:

Florida State was upset last week by Georgia Tech, when a potential game winning field goal was blocked and run back. The Seminoles haven’t been this embarrassed in recent memory without the police being involved.

Dallas coach Jason Garrett said that Greg Hardy needs to do better at “channeling” his emotions, but the DE won’t be disciplined after his altercations last weekend with an assistant coach and teammates. It’s all part of the Cowboys’ strict “12 strikes and you’re out” policy.

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

Turner Classic Movies is updating ‘The Deer Hunter’—they are replacing the Russian Roulette scene with sound bites of Dallas Cowboys defending Greg Hardy.

Charles Haley has been brought in to talk to Greg Hardy. Isn’t that like bringing in Freddy Kruger to talk some sense into Jason?

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

Last week, Fox TV switched the national telecast of the Saints vs Colts game to alternate games as the Colts were getting blown out. In Houston, after falling behind 42-0 at halftime to Miami, football viewers changed to another game as well – golf.

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91 year old Bob Barker fell down some stairs at home and is recovering in the hospital. He said voices in his head were saying “come on down” when he was at the top of the stairs.

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

Barry Zito retired from baseball to become a full-time songwriter. Watch for his name on the pop-up charts.

Three reasons Columbia senior Sasha DiGiulian became the first female to ascend the Magic Mushroom route on Eiger’s north face.

3. She’s a top student;
2. To gain a competitive edge;
1. She was in peak condition.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com

And in case you missed it:

Buffalo’s EJ Manuel has the distinction of being the first quarterback to lose in three countries: the U.S., Canada and England.

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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