Attendance in the WHL was up in the 2014-15 regular season thanks largely to the Prince George Cougars. The Cougars showed the greatest increase, up 1,158 fans per game. The Cats average crowd of 2,852 at CN Centre ranked 19th out of 22 teams. The average per-game attendance in the WHL was 4,525, a slight increase of 37 over the 2013-14 season. A dozen teams were up, nine were down and Medicine Hat stayed the same. The Calgary Hitmen led the way with 8,462 fans per game followed by Portland at 6,980. Swift Current ranked last at 2,162 per game.
–The Prince George Cougars visit the Victoria Royals Friday and Saturday in the first two games of their best of 7 Western Conference quarter-final. The series will shift to CN Centre April 1st and 2nd. If necessary games are scheduled for April 4th in Victoria, April 6th in P.G. and April 8th in Victoria.
–The three team BCHL double round robin begins tonight with the Nanaimo Clippers at the Penticton Vees. The Chilliwack Chiefs play Friday in Nanaimo. The top two teams advance to the Fred Page Cup best of 7 final.
–The Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club has concluded its competitive season. In the final long track meet, Canada Cup #4 in Calgary, Carolina Hiller finished 6th in the mass start for the best P.G. result. Jamie Macdonald of Fort St. James won that race. 80 women and 120 men competed in the international field.
–Selkirk, Manitoba hosted the season ending Canada West National Short Track Speed Skating Championships for youth aged 11-15. Keanan St. Rose led the PG Blizzard with an overall silver in his age class, including gold in the 400m.
–P.G. Blizzard skaters took medals at national and international long track competitions this year. Eric Orlowsky won individual medals in the 100m and 300m as well as silver overall at the Canadian Age Class Championships in Saskatoon. Carolina Hiller earned three silver medals at
the Canada Games in the 1000m, Team Pursuit, and Long Distance Mass Start. Nicolas Hiller was part of the silver medal winning team that represented Canada at the ISU Junior World Cup in Calgary.
–The 88th Kelly Cup and the PG Ladies Bonspiel will both be featured this weekend at the PG Golf and Curling Club. Over 30 men’s rinks will compete with the final to be played Sunday afternoon.
Photo: Courtesy of the Prince George Cougars