What will be the definition of on ice success for the Prince George Cougars this season?
The answer to this question is up for interpretation.
The Cougars are the epitome of a team being “all in to win” right now.
Rebuilding will start in 2017-18 after the Cats lose more than half of their team and most of their core.
The Cougars are sitting with 23 players on their roster and a whopping 15 of them are either 19 or 20.
This guarantees they will have a minimum of a dozen players that will not be eligible to return.
In addition, they are only carrying one player aged 16, two more 17 and five that are 18.
Radovan Bondra made an immediate impact in his first game; a goal and an assist in the third period of the Cougars 4-3 come from behind victory Wednesday in Medicine Hat.
Nikita Popugaev, acquired last week, notched an assist in his first game, a goal in his second game and he has three points in four games.
When defenceman Brendan Guhle joined the team in November, he scored in his first game.
Guhle has 12 points (7 goals) in 15 games.
These three impact players that arrived via trade came at a significant expense for the future although it should be noted that Popugaev is 18 and will likely be one of the few returnees in the fall.
The (G.M.) Todd Harkins deals were done for one reason; for this experienced team to excel in the playoffs.
There are six possible outcomes. Here’s a look at each and what in my mind this would mean.
Should the Cougars lose in the first round:
A complete backfire that will leave the entire organization and their beloved fans disgruntled.
Even if they end up winning the BC Division in the regular season (and they have a 7 point lead) which would produce the team’s first banner, the accomplishment would not even begin to take away from the sting of another playoff failure.
Should the Cougars win round one but lose in the second round:
Slightly better than the first alternative but those trades and going for the gusto with an “old” team wasn’t for winning one series.
A second round exit would again signal the upgrading of the talent wasn’t worth the gamble and this scenario could be perceived as a blunder.
Should the Cougars win two rounds before losing in the Western Conference final:
This situation would be the minimum for the word success to be used, especially if the team also captured the B.C. Division.
10 years ago, the Cougars reached this point after acquiring sniper Devin Setoguchi.
It was a thrilling run but it should be noted this season’s Cougars team has been much more dominant in the regular season.
If the Cats lost a long series to a team like Everett in the Western Final, I believe most fans and supporters would nod their head in approval that the shrewd moves were well worth an exciting run.
Should the Cougars win three rounds and lose in the WHL Final:
This would mean unquestioned success and near euphoria for having the Cougars gone further than any P.G. team in the 23-year history of the club.
Even a loss in the championship series will have made every trade and transaction worth it.
For a franchise that is itching for a historic moment, a journey to the final will have paid huge dividends.
Should the Cougars win the WHL championship and advance to the Memorial Cup:
Jubilation, joy, triumph and even a parade!
This would be the biggest moment in Prince George sports.
In addition, capturing the Ed Chynoweth Trophy would be a game changer and image builder for the team and the city.
Todd Harkins and the ownership group would be the toast of the town for building a winner in three short years.
Should the Cougars win the Memorial Cup:
Euphoria at its finest!
This is the ultimate dream come true for long suffering Prince George sports fans.
The city would be loud and proud while soaking in and enjoying the moment.
Yes, plans would be underway to paint the town in Cougars colors of red, copper and black.
Half a dozen different scenarios and only one will become reality.
I don’t expect either the worst case or the best case.
Chances are it will be somewhere in between.
I don’t mind the all the eggs in one basket approach especially for a team trying to lay a foundation and culture for winning.
There are risks, huge risks and despite the significant additions, goaltending (Hello Ty Edmonds) will still be at the forefront if the Cougars can proceed to the promise land.
If this was Poker, one could argue the Cougars are sitting with a full house, but will that be enough?
The highs and lows of the playoff journey will begin Friday, March 24th.
With the rosters now finalized, the serious evaluations of each team can be scrutinized.
There are seven Western Conference teams (Portland, Spokane and Vancouver don’t have enough talent) that can lay claim to having a realistic chance.
In the Cougars case their odds, on paper, have never looked better.
From the Quote Rack:
In the wake of Connor Cook and Oakland’s playoff defeat, the search continues for a quarterback in Cleveland.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
After the Philadelphia 76ers improved to 10-25, Joel Embiid was talking about the playoffs -“I think we have a chance. We’ve been hot lately.”
Did they legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania and not tell us?
Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Comedian Rob Schneider is trying to organize a group of investors to buy the San Francisco 49ers. Bay Area fans are behind him. They are collectively chanting “You Can Do It!!!!”
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
And in case you missed it:
North Pole police have finally cleared Santa’s head elf of charges of careless use of a firearm. Authorities admit mistakes were made after finding a cartridge in a pear tree.
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
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