After last nights win over Kerry Park in Mill Bay, the Victoria Cougars are moving onto the next round of the Playoffs en route to their 3rd straight Championship. Kerry Park was doomed right from the start of the series, unfortunately for them they had no chance. After posting a 8-0 record versus the Islanders this season, the Cougars cruised to a 4 game sweep, ending last night. While seeing the Cougars sweep any series is great for Victoria fans, there is a major problem with some of these teams. Herein lies the problem I have. Why must 20 year old junior players feel the need to 'go out on top' when they know they are about to lose? Prime example, Colton Burt. During game 3 in one of his frequent visits to the penalty box (he leads the league in penalty minutes in the playoffs, no points either) he was heard spouting that he is 20 with nothing to lose. Referring to game 4. Unfortunately for him he picked Liam Carradine to 'go out on top' which amounted to him mugging Carradine from behind and landing a few lame punches. He got tossed, Carradine stood up smiling. Why do these kids think it's cool to get tossed out of a game looking like a complete asshat? You accomplish nothing by trying to hurt another player except making yourself look like an idiot. Leave the game with some dignity, shake hands after it's over. Leave the ice at the end of you career knowing you gave it your all, and don't leave with you tail between you legs because you're not man enough to stand toe to toe with your opponent. By the way, I highly discourage standing toe to toe with Carradine, he's a tough SOB. That wasn't the only situation where Carradine was attacked from behind either. Gowenlock did an Oscar worthy impression of a Lumberjack on Carradine earlier too. I even had people calling him a turtle on Twitter, seriously? "@SASKRIDERS101 #turtlesdontfightback" I really hope you're either kidding or just like to insult people for no reason. How about you come over to me while I swing a hockey stick as hard as I can at your head, if you don't duck I'll buy you a beer, then have you committed because clearly you have something wrong with you. If Gowenlock wanted to fight Carradine like a man, I am quite sure he would have obliged. On another note Gowenlock isn't 20, he will see Carradine next year, after a few games suspension I would guess.
For all the people saying the Cougars players are cowards for not fighting, clearly you have never played for a team that tries to actually win games. The Coaching staff for Victoria teach discipline, and how to win. Which is clear by looking at the Cougars team penalty minutes and league rankings over the last few years. If a Cougars player drops the mitts it's because he has too, not because he just wants to fight. Watch the way they play, after every whistle the opponents are throwing punches and slashing, with Victoria smiling (See: Jo Davie), because they are about to get another PowerPlay. As far as I am concerned, if the other teams want to keep taking stupid penalties all game long, go for it, I like watching the Cougars score goals. With that being said, I don't see the remaining teams doing that as often as the first round. The four teams that will move on, all are coached very well and have solid teams. All of which can win. Playoff hockey is rough, fists will fly, emotions will boil over, even for Victoria. This is why we watch it.
After the Panthers and Glacier Kings series wins this week as well, we are just waiting for the winner of Nanaimo and Campbell River. Next week we will see the best of the VIJHL battle it out for a chance at playing in the finals.
I will have my first round recap early next week as well as my second round predictions to follow.
Let's just hope the remaining teams don't feel the need to hurt other players maliciously because they lose.
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