HARTLEY’S HART ATTACK – (WHL West Final: best is yet to come) May 3, 2024 EDITION 991

My game by game quick thoughts (that were jotted down right after the completion of each game) on the 2024 WHL Western Conference Final where a winner will not be determined until Monday or Tuesday night.

I watched the first two in the broadcast booth at the CN Centre pressbox and the next three, which were played in Portland, on the WHL.ca webcast from the My PG Now newsroom / 94.3 The Goat and Country 97FM studios in Prince George.

Game 1, Friday April 26: Prince George 5  Portland  0

The shot totals of 35-33 for Prince George were misleading.

The Cougars were clearly the better team and dominated much of the game.

Josh Ravensbergen earned his 3rd playoff shutout and was head and shoulders better than Winterhawks goalie Jan Spunar.

The Cougars continued to play with poise, confidence and a calmness that starts in goal and continues throughout the lineup.

I expected a more competitive game and it should be in Game 2.

The Cougars to this point are 6-0 at home in the playoffs outscoring the opposition 33-8.

That is very impressive no matter how one looks at it.

Game 2, Saturday, April 27, Portland  5  Prince George 3

One could tell from the opening of puck drop, the Winterhawks had elevated their play, particularly with their intensity and forecheck.

Portland deserved a better fate than 0-0 after one period.

That was four straight periods the remarkable 17-year-old Ravensbergen blanked the highest scoring team in the WHL, a total of 48 saves (including 15 in the first period).

In the 2nd period, it was just a matter of time before someone broke the goose egg, but I was not expecting four goals (two for each team) in less than a total of two minutes.

In the 3rd, A power play goal on an NHL caliber shot from James Stefan gave the Winterhawks the 3-2 lead.

It was only the 2nd time in 34 chances that Cougars surrendered a goal while shorthanded in the playoffs.

A goal on the short side with just over five minutes left from Diego Buttzzazoni was the backbreaker, making 4-2.

Ravensbergen is human after all, one he likely wants back.

An empty netter and a very late P.G. goal to make it a 5-3 final.

Game 3, Monday, April 29, Portland  4  Prince George 1

One knew the Winterhawks would come out firing in front of their fans, however, I did not think the game would be decided in just 10 minutes.

Nate Danielson assisted on the three goals that made it 3-0 by the midway point of the first as he elevated his game and showed why the Detroit Red Wings selected him in round one (9th overall).

Ravensbergen got pulled for Ty Young after stopping just seven of 10 shots which was the right call although he could not be blamed for his team getting behind so quickly.

Marcus Nguyen (who has the benefit of playing with Danielson) had the hot hand with the hat trick, including the 4-0 power play goal in the 3rd.

The Cougars played much better after the goalie change but one got the sense they were not coming back especially after Spunar made the save of the series with his glove off Zac Funk on a P.G. power play early in the second period.

Game 4, Wednesday, May 1, Portland 5  Prince George 2

This marks the first time in their 30-year history the Cougars played a playoff game in the month of May.

Another slow start for Prince George, down 2-0 in the first, is not a recipe for success.

The Cougars finally had a good road period in the second but had no reward with an exchange of goals.

Danielson again appears on a different level than any other skater in this series.

The Portland trade with Brandon to get him in January appears to have paid off.

After picking up a goal and three assists Danielson is up to 10 points in the last three games.

No surprise Ty Young was in goal especially with back-to-back road games.

It is the first time this season the Cougars have lost three straight.

Their ultimate test comes in Game 5.

Game 5, Thursday, May 2, Prince George  6  Portland  1

This was arguably the biggest game in the P.G. Cougars history.

Great teams find a way when facing elimination to play their best and the Cougars did just that.

Prince George was better than Portland in all aspects of the game thanks in part to desperation, tenacity, defensive zone coverage, goaltending from Ravensbergen and it goes on.

The Cougars had not had a meaningful even strength goal in the past two games but Koehn Ziemmer, with two first period goals, came to not only play but to lead.

This was the ultimate character win for the best P.G. Cougars team we have ever seen.

Going forward: 

We know the series will end Monday or Tuesday at CN Centre.

If the Cougars win two straight it will be on to the WHL Final for the first time.

If the Winterhawks get a win, the appreciative Cougars fans will be able to give their team a much deserved thank you standing ovation.

None of the first five games have been particularly close but I sense this is going to change.

I look for a one-goal game, quite possibly overtime in Game 6 and then again in Game 7 if that is needed.

In terms of quality high-level hockey with unprecedented drama it appears a certainty that the best has yet to come in this Western Conference Final.

Enjoy your weekend in preparation for the final verdict!

SERIES SCHEDULE

*If necessary

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 the Cougars Director of Business and goalie coach Taylor Dakers.

An in depth conversation with @PGCougars Director of Business & goalie coach @taylordakers in the Cat Scan #podcast this week. Topics include: series vs @pdxwinterhawks, two Cougars goalies, 2-3-2 format, sold-out CN Centre, season ticket renewals, community relations. #WHL https://t.co/7gGXkxgaKy

— Hartley Miller (@Hartley_Miller) April 30, 2024

FROM THE QUOTE RACK:

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs has signed a 2-year extension that makes him the highest paid tight end in the NFL. It also makes him the 11th highest paid Taylor Swift boyfriend.

*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

Bally Sports channels now will be removed from Comcast after bankruptcy of Bally operator Diamond Sports. So Comcast fans of MLB’s Tigers, Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, Rays, Rangers, Braves, Angels, Royals, Twins & Marlins can no longer see games. Sadly Chicago White Sox fans can still watch their (6-25) team.

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

The 76ers owner bought 2000 tickets to give away to prevent Knicks fans showing up in Game 6. They are assuming that NY fans travel as well Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey did in Game 5.

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