The WHL's Hottest Panel Show!
Anna Kournikova:	"Thanks for tuning into today's show. Today's guest on 'Big Hitz!' will be Jim Matheson (who covers the Edmonton Vikings) along with the two 'Mikes' - regulars Michael Landsberg and Mike Woods." "Ok gentleman, lets get this puck spinning here; Last week was full of entertaining games, from the first meeting of the season between last year's Cyber Cup finalists, to the Stallions and the Voodoo - but what game caught your attention the most during the last 10 days?"
Jim Matheson:	"Well that Voodoo/Stallions game could have very easily been a Cyber Cup preview and it was a great hockey game. If anything comes from that game though, the Voodoo have to at least be a little concerned about the amount of goals they've given up so far this year. Three of the Stallions seven goals came from sloppy play in front of Brodeur. I know the regular season doesn't mean much to those teams, but you only get so many chances to establish yourself. Round One to the Stallions is pretty significant."
Michael Landsberg:	"Well I'm gonna have to go with that crazy 15-11 game between the Voodoo and Raiders personally... I mean that game was absolutely nuts!... but you got to hand it to the Raiders, I mean they came out all fired up, and the hockey-gods must have been on there side if they faught and scored as much as they did - who says high scoring games are bad anyways?..."
Mike Woods:	"The Raider/Voodoo game was a barn burner without question, but the Dropkicks beating the Voodoo and then turning around and losing to the Hawks the next game was good for a laugh at least."
Anna Kournikova:	"Alright, having said all that, which teams/players do you think have been the best & worst, thus far?"
Michael Landsberg:	"Well, you could probably get away with answering that entire question with three words: the Calgary Dropkicks; but you can't deny the fact that the Stallions 'oath of silence' has really cast a serious attitude over their squad this year. Toronto keeps finding ways of winning, as seen with their number one ranking this year, and for those waiting to see them hit that brick wall, I don't see that happening anytime soon."
Mike Woods:	"I continue to be surprised and delighted with the team that I cover but there really is no team with as much focus and drive as the Toronto Stallions. It's clearly all business these days and there isn't a whole lot of reason to believe that they'll stop. The Bulls also look good especially since Modano's caught fire. The Islanders and the now-Adamyk led Saints surprise me as well, and good for them."
Jim Matheson:	"Not much room for disagreement here as the Stallions have been unbelievable. Top marks from me have to go to the Smokeaters and Islanders. For both of those teams to be five games above .500 in the same division as the Voodoo, Dropkicks and Express is really a great accomplishment. Disappointments have to include the Vikings, who really look like they've taken three or four steps back, and the Cougars, who are playing nowwhere near their ability level."
[COMMERCIAL BREAK] - Lotto 6/49 'A guy and his buddy are seen sitting outback of a huge cabin overlooking a forest - the camera then scans over to see a squirl sitting atop a fence - a red dot suddenly appears on the forehead of the squirl - all goes silent, and than BANG!!! - camera scans back to the two men highfiving with their brand new rifles.' "Loootto six-forrrty nine, juusst imaaaagine!"
Anna Kournikova:	"Welcome back. Next I want to hear what you guys think about this week's startling developments with the Boston Hawks organization; for those who don't know, Hawks GM Peter Nilsson apparently offered his support in response to the Michael Jackson allegations this week. My question is, do you think it's right for WHL GM's to support celebrities who have been accused of crimes?"
Mike Woods:	"Peter is an odd duck so this Jackson business doesn't really surprise me. It's just like when the Hawks donated all that money to get Iron Maiden to play that outdoor concert in Sweden. That was part of the reason that they traded Murray to the Kicks last year... to pay for that concert. Anyways, I wish I could say I was surprised."
Jim Matheson:	"It all depends on the crime, I mean Randy Moss running over a metermaid is no big thing, but this 'Jacko' is a little over the top. My guess is Peter regrets it before too long."
Michael Landsberg:	"Are you sure you have your sources right?, I could have sworn it was Golbez - seeing how they both have this crotch grabbing, arm raising thing down pretty well (*laughs*)... but seriously, I can't say what he did was wrong because he has a right to support whoever he chooses... but in saying that, I'm sure Commissioner Hebert wasn't too happy when he heard the WHL and Michael Jackson in the same sentence."
Anna Kournikova:	"Alright, lets change gears here before you guys start really monkeying around with this subject. We're now 30 games into the season, and we see that a total of 54 transactions have occurred, yet at the exact same time last year there was a total of 84... What's going on?!"
Jim Matheson:	"There is a great deal of uncertainty, which makes trading difficult, but I think it may also be a sign that teams are focusing more on long-term objectives. I mean the quick fix isn't really out there, so some of the league's lesser lights may be focusing their attention on building from within."
Michael Landsberg:	"There's been trading, but besides the latest Eric Brewer deal, we haven't had a whole lot worth mentioning. I mean we have heard mumbling from different sources over the last month that GM's are prepared to sit tight because they have no idea how there team may be effected... There simply isn't much of a reason to make trades for a little while now."
Mike Woods:	"Well I talked to a source close to the Dropkicks camp and the uncertainty concerning salaries and caps and waiver drafts has cast a considerable shadow over teams' willingness to shuffle the deck. I think there's a proportionate dropoff in trades when a couple of things happen...the Dropkicks and Bulls are winning and Jon Lemoine is away on business. Everyone is more focused on the future of their teams right now judging by the lack of activity."
[COMMERCIAL BREAK] - Labatt Blue 'A player scores an incredible game winning goal for his team - after he's done celebrating he skates by his bench, and the last man pulls out an air-horn - knocking him flat on his ass from the cheer loudness... gotta love team spirit.' "Out of the blue!"
Anna Kournikova:	"Alright, we're back from our last commercial break. Lets get your guys opinions on who you would select as this year's MVP if the voting were to happen right now."
Michael Landsberg:	"No doubt - Curtis Joseph. When this man singlehandedly leads the Stallions to victory over teams like the Voodoo and Bulls, he's the man who gets my vote."
Mike Woods:	"Joseph isn't a bad pick but where would the Smokies be without Mike Comrie...he's been awesome and their record wouldn't be nearly as good without him."
Jim Matheson:	"Both good choices, but I have to go with Pierre Turgeon of the Sparrows. 23 goals including three game-winners, two shorties and thirteen on the powerplay. By far the biggest reason the Sparrows are ahead of the Corinthians in the Eastern Division at this stage of the season."
Anna Kournikova:	"To end today's show, I figured that seeing how Christmas is so close - that I'd get your guys 'Naughty-and-Nice' lists before we go to your 'Thumbs-up' and 'Thumbs-down' for the week."
Mike Woods:	"Naughty? Darren Kinnaird of the Vancouver Voodoo...creating a messed up prospect system and cheating his way to the top of the league every year. How can the league compete against his evil schemes? Nice? Commissioner Hebert for all his hard work, Jon Lemoine for trying to come up with an objective rerating system, and the BOD for keeping the discussions civil."
Jim Matheson:	"Naughty has to be Jeff Garcia of the San Francisco 49'ers. Rumour has it his 6-TD outburst last Sunday ruined a certain WHL GM's fantasy season. Also on the naughty list are Peter Nilsson for publicly supporting 'Wacko Jacko' and Jason Allison of the Vikings. 5 points in 19 games after 106 last year? Nice include all of the league's GM's who have managed to stay somewhat nice to each other in the last few months. Times are changing, no doubt, but screaming and shouting don't accomplish anything."
Michael Landsberg:	"Well Anna, you know you're always on my naughty list (*gives the old wink and the gun*), but on the Naughty list I'm going to have to give a shout out to Ramzi Abid of the Hensch - this guy has been one bad motha f..... this year. As for Nice, I'm gonna say my wife... After our last show I thought she was gonna beat me for sure, but I only had to sleep in the garage... Thumbs-up to the Commish, his one-time mandatory lines request almost makes the league look active (*smiles*), thumbs-down once again goes to the Taipans - their continued disregard for league competitiveness is sickening at best, especially at a time of the season when you're supposed to be giving your fans something to be proud to watch."
Anna Kournikova:	"Well that concludes another episode of 'Big Hitz!'. I'd like to thank everyone for doing the show today, and here's wishing everyone a early Happy Holidays!"