Playoffs!!

[Teacher]

Big improvement from last year for the Cougars. A very young team that battles as evidenced by their performances vs Spokane over the weekend.
Overall this year they have improved in points and wins, made the playoffs, and that was without Dana Tyrell!!

March 20 and here comes the Giants.
On paper the biggest mismatch in recent years, on the ice, same.
Is there any chance the Cougs can compete? Yes they can....
with a few tweaks to their line up.

Dallas Jackson needs to move to forward with Connelly and Viedensky and they have to move Regier and McDonald up the depth chart on defense to replace Bidlevski and his whl worst -47.
With those two moves they get stronger on offence - a better first line and a stronger offensive second line - and they improve thier back end.

Let's be honest though, there will be no way the team can compete unless Armstrong turns into Luongo and steals games from the Giants but, even though there is a 60pt difference in the teams' regular seasons, anything can happen in the playoffs.

[Section Ten]

I had a few chances to watch Armstrong playing against the Wheat Kings when he played with the Blades a few seasons ago. Back then, he played well enough and seemed capable of being a difference maker. Of course, one of the downfalls of the WHL schedule is that we only get to see your team once every two years, so I can't say I've seen him play in quite some time.

By the way, if things in goal get a bit dicey for Armstrong, former Wheat King Joe Caligiuri actually played pretty well for the Wheaties in last year's playoffs. Yeah, we lost out to Lethbridge in the first round but at least he kept us close in every game.

Like you said, anything can happen in the playoffs. Hopefully you can make it a decent series! And everyone loves an underdog!

[dondo]

sure anything can happen -- that's why we play the games.. let's hope the refs don't get too involved and all the boys play good clean hard-nosed hockey.

Armstrong is a very capable goalie and at times he's had the Giants number. the secret for us will be to get to him early to rattle him a bit. See ya'll on Saturday for the final game of the season. vci34

[bond james bond]

come on teacher give it a rest and quit writing on every form you can to say the same old thing. McDonald has to make it on his own merits and all the preaching you do isn't going to make any difference!!!! We've had enuf.

[WestLEAFfan]

Anyone think the Cougars can even win one game vs the Giants? It would be great to see Sexsmith get beat at least once.

[Teacher]

Your name should be Dick, not james..
I am able to support who i want and write what i want and i dont need some anonymous pud like you writing crap about it.
Oh yeah and to your intelligent point about merit....
I guess merit in Prince George means you have to be -47 or -30 or worse in order to get quality playing time. That kid McDonald has been on for only 2 goals against in his last 25 games played, so before you comment on merit check the stat sheets you ignorant Dick
(oh sorry I meant Bond, James,Bond)

[bond james bond]

you must be refering to your own inadequecies

[the flying moose]

Anyone think the Cougars can even win one game vs the Giants? It would be great to see Sexsmith get beat at least once.

It's hard to say. I am thinking either Cougars in 7 or Giants in 4. The Cats need to take one of the first two games to have a chance though.

[dondo]

Anyone think the Cougars can even win one game vs the Giants? It would be great to see Sexsmith get beat at least once.

Sadly there are a bunch of Giants "fans" around here you agree with you. They are hoping to install Tucker in place of Sexsmith as they feel he doesn't have the chops anymore.

The playoffs are a whole new season.

I for one am hoping that Tyson stands on his head and quells all the naysayers. It doesn't help the team to have this kind of division after the Giants have put together a record breaking season.

There's not a division with the boys, just some of the fans -- who really have no clue how good they have it and are looking for things to whine about.

Here's hoping the PG fans go to see their team in the playoffs and fill the seats. Win or lose its still great hockey and anything can happen.

[Teacher]

Definitely not the time for a team to be questioning thier starter when he has a memorial cup and is a high nhl draft pick. Tucker has looked good but the Giants seem to play a much better style of d when he is in net.
With Sexy they seem to give up much higher quality chances.

I like the comment about P.G. fans coming out to support their team. Knowing the fans up there though, I am sure they would rather "stick it" to Brodsky and Thompson, then go out and support a bunch of young men who have busted their asses all year against huge odds...
a coaching change, losing Dana Tyrell to injury. having four sixteen year olds, and lastly a group of 19 and 20yr olds who are average to say the least.
( with the exception of Armstrong ).
Looking foward to Friday!!!

[the flying moose]

Here's hoping the PG fans go to see their team in the playoffs and fill the seats. Win or lose its still great hockey and anything can happen.

Not going to happen.

Two seasons ago when PG had their playoff run where they beat Everett we lined up at 4am to wait for playoff tickets to go on sale at 10am.

This season the playoff tickets went on sale at 10am on Wednesday. I got there at 9:55am and I was the only one there. Even the Ticketmaster ladies were shocked that no one else was lining up.

[CJSenterprise4]

Anyone think the Cougars can even win one game vs the Giants? It would be great to see Sexsmith get beat at least once.

Gave up 3 goals on what 15 shots in a loss to Kelowna then got blown up a few nights after that. Anyone could play net in Vancouver and have numbers like his. Hoping for a Prince George upset..probably wont happen but hey dare to dream(for 4 games anyways ha)

[dondo]

Not going to happen.

Two seasons ago when PG had their playoff run where they beat Everett we lined up at 4am to wait for playoff tickets to go on sale at 10am.

This season the playoff tickets went on sale at 10am on Wednesday. I got there at 9:55am and I was the only one there. Even the Ticketmaster ladies were shocked that no one else was lining up.

yeah I know that was the pervading atmosphere unfortunately that's why I said that ..

PG fans: sticking it to the owners will just get your team sold elsewhere, its playoff hockey and likely the only round you'll get this year (maybe not, but odds are..), please support the young men who are trying to be better out there for you the fans.

There are a couple of really good players to watch from your own team (Connolly, Cepek to name two) and the level of WHL playoff hockey can't be beat.

Go for the game and the players it'll be worth it.

I also have to say that series we had versus the Chiefs last year was excellent hockey and we lost, well we were beat soundly by a better team and it was still great hockey.

I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but there's gotta be some fans who want to see real hockey being played. The NHL is actively watering down our game to a point that real, old-time, good hockey will be a thing of legends.

[Section_Z]

Dondo has a point about preaching to the converted on a WHL Fans board.
Why not take up the torch as a Cougar fan and write in an editorial to the Citizen reminding all of the hockey fans up there that your team has made the playoffs, and yes, you have some good players, and yes it's worth going to see them and other possible future stars play. (not to mention some awesome young NHL hopefuls on the Giants...=)
What else are the apathetic PG hockey fans going to do in March?
Hang out at Sgt's?
Get into a fight at the Generator?
Watch another regular Season Canucks game on the big screen at home?
Watch another Canucks game at BP?
Stare at the dirty snowbank in your front yard that won't melt?

These may be the last two live hockey games that PG fans will see until September.
Get off your duff. It's not like it's a long drive to the CN from anywhere in PG.
I know Giants fans who make it out to the Coliseum, who comparitively, might as well live in Hixon....

Dana Tyrell is going to be in the audience somewhere...get his autograph.

I hope management is smart and keeps the ticket price low for the playoffs...

[the flying moose]

Why not take up the torch as a Cougar fan and write in an editorial to the Citizen reminding all of the hockey fans up there that your team has made the playoffs,

We actually have before and all it turned into was a Brodsky/Thompson bash fest.

Besides the lack of support for the Brodsky's, people are already decided that the Cats are done in 4 games anyhow so why waste money to see them get beat.

If Brodsky does not sell the team to someone next season I really believe that it will be the last season we have WHL hockey in PG.

[Section_Z]

We actually have before and all it turned into was a Brodsky/Thompson bash fest.

Besides the lack of support for the Brodsky's, people are already decided that the Cats are done in 4 games anyhow so why waste money to see them get beat.

If Brodsky does not sell the team to someone next season I really believe that it will be the last season we have WHL hockey in PG.

Personally I was excited in the Giants 1st round Vs. the Memorial Cup Rockets. We all knew we would get spanked, but we scored a few goals and we had a good time.
Totally understood, however, that I am speaking of a 2nd year expansion team and you are faced with a veteran poorly managed team.
I hope he does sell if that's the case. The last thing PG needs is another empty building in the bowl....
Of course, maybe the Spruce Kings could move in? =)

[TwoBits]

Well we all know strange things can happen in the playoffs. If PG can manage to squeak out one win in Vancouver, the fans will come. I think the gratification PG fans could get seeing their team beat the Giants will trump their hate for the Brodskys.

Keeping my fingers crossed. punk rock

[Section_Z]

Well we all know strange things can happen in the playoffs. If PG can manage to squeak out one win in Vancouver, the fans will come. I think the gratification PG fans could get seeing their team beat the Giants will trump their hate for the Brodskys.

Keeping my fingers crossed. punk rock

I think you've got it there, TwoBits.

Hate management.
Hate the opposition more!

[Section Eight]

I think you've got it there, TwoBits.

Hate management.
Hate the opposition more!

I hate to see small market teams lose to mega market teams but losing two playoff games by a combined 14 goals, thank god the Giants took their foot off the accelerator, looks bad on the players but c'mon - THIS IS A MANAGEMENT & COACHING PROBLEM PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

Tough to fault the Giants when they just did as they are coached, and coached very well, to do but easy to hate Cougar management and coaching staff for gross mismanagement and a complete failure to playoff ready this team.

BRUTAL, I hope team ownership has enough brains to take out the trash and get this franchise back on the right track because this franchise belongs in Prince George!

GO WHEATIES!!!

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

The WHL like other professional leagues is all about business. Is it a coincidence that two of the wealthiest Major Junior teams in Canada are ranked numbers 1 and 2 in the country. In a couple years they will probably be joined by Edmonton, Portland and Kamloops as teams that are perennially at the top. Money buys state of the art training facilities, specialty coaches, dozens of scouts, personnel to take care of all the little details that on small market teams are dumped on the GM. Big spenders win championships, just look at the Yankees and Red Sox. The Cougars, Ice, Raiders, Warriors, Broncos are just the Blue Jays on ice. vci33

[rinkrat]

The WHL like other professional leagues is all about business. Is it a coincidence that two of the wealthiest Major Junior teams in Canada are ranked numbers 1 and 2 in the country. In a couple years they will probably be joined by Edmonton, Portland and Kamloops as teams that are perennially at the top. Money buys state of the art training facilities, specialty coaches, dozens of scouts, personnel to take care of all the little details that on small market teams are dumped on the GM. Big spenders win championships, just look at the Yankees and Red Sox. The Cougars, Ice, Raiders, Warriors, Broncos are just the Blue Jays on ice. vci33

Problem with your "theory" is that Calgary and Vancouver don't win every year. They also don't lure players from other teams with huge salaries.
Perhaps you can show us your accounting figures that show the wealthiest teams?
How did MH Tigers win the league? And how do you explain Moose Jaw making it to the finals a couple years ago. Kelowna is always competitive as is Kootenay. Lets hear about how rich Kootenay is? I bet they have the best winning percentage in the last decade bar none.
Your "theory" has more holes than Swiss cheese.
I'm guessing its just resentment on your part.

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

Ah yes, a Giant fan. No one said anything about winning every year. What I said was that those teams will be at the top. Do you think that Zabotel or Nunn would have gone from their BCHL teams to the PA Raiders. Would Adam Basford have jumped at the chance to go to Moose Jaw instead of Vancouver. You are looking at history, the future in the dub will depend on how successful a team's business plan evolves. The small market teams don't have access to all that cash, just witness the fact that most small market teams require that the Coach also be the GM and work for 1 salary. The Giants, Hitmen, Silvertips, and next the WinterHawks and Blazers are greatly removed from the grass roots hockey that the WHL used to represent and that is why teams like the Cougars and Raiders will struggle to keep WHL teams in their towns. But I'm sure that an arrogant Giant fan couldn't give a crap about PG, PA or MJ let alone know where they are.

[scrunt]

Give it up Fonzerelli. Your whining makes me sick.

I live in Vancouver, and I love junior hockey. I cheer for the Giants, like a lot of us who live here do. Why does that make us arrogant? Should I not cheer for my local team just because they play in a big market (with way more competition for fans' dollars, by the way).

If you ask any fan of junior hockey, they will ALL say that small market teams are CRITICAL for the success of the league. No one want to see the league comprised only of teams in big cities.

I agree that big market teams have an advantage in terms of POTENTIAL to make more money. But it takes a smart owner to hire the right people. Junior hockey failed twice in Calgary and Edmonton before now, and Portland just about did too. Why are the the Thunderbirds not always at the top - they are in the largest metro area in the league!

Players with a choice have been avoiding Portland like the plague, Everett has had a ton of players leave voluntarily, yet these are the so-called "privileged." Your argument is so full of holes all that is left is your pathetic jealousy.

Complain about the league's lack of an effective profit-sharing plan if you want -- at least that has the potential to improve the chances of maintaining teams in all markets -- but don't just whine and crap all over Giants fans because your team doesn't measure up.

[TwoBits]

Ah yes, a Giant fan. No one said anything about winning every year. What I said was that those teams will be at the top. Do you think that Zabotel or Nunn would have gone from their BCHL teams to the PA Raiders. Would Adam Basford have jumped at the chance to go to Moose Jaw instead of Vancouver. You are looking at history, the future in the dub will depend on how successful a team's business plan evolves. The small market teams don't have access to all that cash, just witness the fact that most small market teams require that the Coach also be the GM and work for 1 salary. The Giants, Hitmen, Silvertips, and next the WinterHawks and Blazers are greatly removed from the grass roots hockey that the WHL used to represent and that is why teams like the Cougars and Raiders will struggle to keep WHL teams in their towns. But I'm sure that an arrogant Giant fan couldn't give a crap about PG, PA or MJ let alone know where they are.

I wonder how many players have refused to report to Vancouver or Calgary? I'm guessing ZERO. It's not even a worry for these teams come draft day.

I miss the old days when there were fewer teams (that weren't watered down) and players were happy to make any team. Sure there were teams who seemed to be contenders year after year, but there didn't seem to be such a great division. Yah Yah, I know- Get Over It! :D

[rinkrat]

I wonder how many players have refused to report to Vancouver or Calgary? I'm guessing ZERO. It's not even a worry for these teams come draft day.


Kyle Turris and Dan Bertram for starters. Oh and our GM doesn't piss away players like Stefan Elliot et al. :spineyes:

[rinkrat]

Do you think that Zabotel or Nunn would have gone from their BCHL teams to the PA Raiders. Would Adam Basford have jumped at the chance to go to Moose Jaw instead of Vancouver.

Well Jamie Benn left for Kelowna and Evan Pighin left for the mighty Red Deer Rebels.

Oh ,almost forgot Arthur fonzerelli left Swift Current for Vancouver and still he is bitter. :D

[dondo]

The large market teams have the potential to make more and can lure talented players a bit better than the smaller market teams can, but to say the small market teams can't compete in this league is just ..well .. small minded.

The teams need good owners, GMs, coaches and systems. Players will go to Lethbridge, Saskatoon or Prince Albert if the climate is right and they feel they can get good experience and exposure from the team. Right now PG is in an ownership crisis to the point where fans are refusing to go to games because of how the team is run by the owners and by extension managed. Its not because they are a small market franchise, but because they are being badly mismanaged.

The Bruins are having growing pains, because they were/are also being mismanaged. The players will stay away if they are being treated poorly or don't see a future with the team. The Bruins lost a bunch of quality players this year because the team itself was being poorly managed and I don't know if that was from the GMs, the hockey savvy yet seemingly absent ownership group, at the coaching level or a combination of those factors, but one thing's for sure the Bruins had players defecting due to some internal conflict, not because they weren't a rich team.

The concern I have with lack of fan support in PG is that it will become a self-fullfilling prophecy. The franchise is one of the farther franchises in the league and most certainly the BC Div and if it continues to lose support the owners will either have to (ideally) sell to a local concern, but far more likely will sell to a buyer in a different city entirely.

The franchise will not improve by refusing to go to games you'd like to see, but could fold. I'm really not sure what kind of message this is sending to the league or the players. I'm not sure if that's a good reason to stop going to games, but I'm not in PG right now so I have no way of knowing how bad the ownership group really is.

[TwoBits]

Kyle Turris and Dan Bertram for starters. Oh and our GM doesn't piss away players like Stefan Elliot et al. :spineyes:

I thought they traded him because he wouldn't play in PG. :confused:

[Chief Jeff]

I think big market teams have two main advantages. First off they have more scouts and front office personnel then the smaller market teams. Here is Spokane this resulted in picking up Tokarski and Koper, both of whom were undrafted. Moving forward this advantage in scouting will be critical in evaluating the new wave of Elite US born players coming into the league. The second real advantage is the VERY flawed Euro draft. Basically it is teams making deals with these kids before the draft allowing the Euros to pick and choose who they play with. I say this knowing that the Chiefs have probably benefitted more than anybody the last 15 years from Euros, From Bure in the early 90's all the way through Roman and Ulmer this year.

[tommanaz]

in my oppinion the cougars are done for,
mattes gone
armstrongs gone
danas gone
cepek and jackson gone
and many more

Then there is...
Connolly...will he want to return or go somewhere big thats going to get him drafted first round
Maylan...one of the top pt getters playing 3rd and 4th line
Stanfeild...Healthy scratch for a playoff game for a 16 year old

Not to mention the guys that were pissed away and left the team during the season!

[PGFlyfisher]

I believe Stanfield played as an 18 yr old for the 08/09 season and I did not see a huge improvement from last season IMO.

Matte, Scherger, Halliday and Viedensky were great, but I must confess, I was more than a little disappointed with the other older players.

I hope the young guns stay positive and want to come back next season. At least they had some heart! They just need some direction ie; Habscheid or someone significant for a change.
This is long overdue and ownership owes this to the fans, but mostly owe it to the boys playing for them.

[old_time_hockey]

The whole hate for big market teams is so misguided.

Yeah places like Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton have a WAY bigger fan base to pull from, but at the same time look what the Giants have to compete against to earn sports fans $:

-Vancouver Canucks (will always be tops in town no matter how much they suck)
-BC Lions
-Soon to be MLS Whitecaps

Now throw into the mix various concerts and what not during the hockey season. On any given night during the WHL season I have about 3 other QUALITY options of what to do with my money other than go to Giants games.

Small market teams have a captive audiance. They could even afford to charge more than they do because people will come out.

Look at the Oil Kings. Rink was really empty for their playoff games because they TOTALLY outpriced themselves in that market.

[tommanaz]

anyone have word if connolly or maylan will be back next year? (without asking for a trade)

[the flying moose]

anyone have word if connolly or maylan will be back next year? (without asking for a trade)

Connelly is PG boy so I doubt he want to be traded when he could be the #1 player here.

Maylan did not have that great of a season IMO and probably would not get much on the trade front.

edit:

I have also heard that Viedensky will be back next season.

[tommanaz]

viedensky will be back?
how about stanfield?
I know connolly is a pg kid although he wont develop in PG and it is most likely in his best interest to go somewhere to develop (unfortunatly)
Ill agree Maylan had an ok season although he played 3rd or 4th line most of the season and was still a top pt producer. Maybe he didnt have the chance??

[Louie]

Connolly isn't going any ware. Not unless it's a huge trade that would benefit the Cougars! Next year will be a rebuilding year with a lot of 17 year old players and a new coach. The year after that, they will have a lot of good 18 and 19 year olds, a coach that has settled in and "my guess" a new venue (not in Prince George).
Enthusiastic young players + new coach + arena FULL of supporting fans= The Cougars Starting to make a STATEMENT!

[tommanaz]

Louie, its been proven that despite the coach it all boils down to the owners and until that changes the team wont be any better.
When i said is connolly going somewhere i mean under his will. Obviously the team wont trade their best player but he may want to go somewhere with more exposure!

[Louie]

I haven't been following the plight of the Cougars for that long so maybe you could fill me in on why everyone hates the owner so bad and why that relates to crappy attendance. Personally I go to hockey games to support the team and be entertained by a good hockey game. I could care less about the owners of the team.