Online search engines were intended for informational purposes, not our sporting pleasure.
Nevertheless, Google-fighting has become a popular pastime for web surfers.
Googlefight.com allows users to type in two different words or phrases, which in turn duke it out to see which one garners the most matches.
Based on the number of matches across the Internet, the site assigns each word or phrase a score between 0 and 100. The entry with the highest number wins.
The Reminder decided to host a few Googlefights of local interest.
First we entered “Flin Flon, Manitoba” versus “Creighton, Saskatchewan” and were not entirely surprised with the result. Flin Flon won out by a score of 100 to 12.
A much fairer fight seemed to be “Cranberry Portage, Manitoba” against “Denare Beach, Saskatche-wan.” But the final tally was a little lopsided, with Cranberry Portage coming out on top 100 to 82.
Then it dawned on us that there really is no rivalry among our neighbouring communities. It was time to take on The Pas instead!
In a battle between “Flin Flon, Manitoba” and “The Pas, Manitoba,” our city came out on top 100 to 84. Not bad.
How about sports arenas? Our fabled “Whitney Forum” fearlessly took on The Pas / OCN’s “Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre” with similar results. The Whitney clobbered its northern counterpart 100 to 10.
Soon the media was in on the act (we just couldn’t resist). “The Reminder” and “Flin Flon” crumpled up “Opasquia Times” and “The Pas” by a 100 to 30 decision.
But when it came to community celebrations, “Trout Festival” and “Flin Flon” proved no match for “Trappers Festival” and “The Pas.” The final tally was 100 to 58.
No panicking yet. We were ahead 3-1. Still, we had to go for a weakness... but what?
Then we thought about Flin Flon’s famously bone-chilling winters. How would “Flin Flon,” “Manitoba” and “cold winters” fair against “The Pas,” “Manitoba” and “cold winters”?
Incredibly, Flin Flon lost this cold-weather contest, albeit by a narrow margin of 100 to 92.
Up next was a battle of history-preservers as The Pas’ “Sam Waller Museum” asked “Flin Flon Station Museum” to take it outside. The score? Sam Waller 100, Station Museum 34.
Suddenly it was a brand new, if not still completely meaningless, game. We were biting our nails. It was time for the clincher.
We turned to the “Flin Flon Bombers,” who had our every confidence against the once-mighty “OCN Blizzard” of The Pas and neighbouring OCN.
We shot and scored! Our Maroon and White dusted off their... whatever colours the Blizzard wear by a 100 to 59 tally.
Close but no cigar, The Pas. Let there be no doubt that Flin Flon is the Googlefight champion of our region.
