nivek_wahs
03-02-2007, 10:53 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=e16e75d6-fe13-4965-9f0a-02d80c63ff85
Home sweet home
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, March 02, 2007
The Regina Pats will be staying close to home over the final two weeks of the WHL regular season.
The closer the better.
Regina concludes its schedule with nine straight games against East Division opponents -- five at the Brandt Centre, four on the road.
The home stretch begins tonight against the visiting Prince Albert Raiders.
"This is a telling time," said Pats head coach Curtis Hunt, whose team is looking to continue its season-long domination of inter-division rivals (21-9-1-3).
Barring a last-minute meltdown, the Pats will finish second in the East Division, meaning they'll claim home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. That's important because Regina owns one of the better home-ice records in the league at 20-8-1-2.
"There's a certain level of comfort playing at home," explained Hunt. "We have had success here, especially over the last two years. More importantly, to not (claim home-ice advantage), how does that mean we've played going into the postseason? It's important we stay the course and fine-tune our game. We want to hit that second season running."
Regina has a cozy but not insurmountable lead on its nearest competitors -- seven points on the third-place Swift Current Broncos and 10 on fourth-place Prince Albert.
Hunt doesn't want his players getting too comfortable.
"I wouldn't take anybody for granted," said the head coach, whose teams visits last-place Saskatoon on Saturday before concluding a busy weekend at home against the Blades on Sunday. "Saskatoon has certainly played us tough (this season). Swift Current has played us tough. The great thing is every game matters (for each team). We're not settled or nested in our spot."
According to Hunt, Regina's mission statement over the final nine games is to "gear up to take a run at the Memorial Cup." In the short term, however, it might benefit the Pats to build a nice cushion in the standings so they can rest some key veterans on the final weekend of the schedule.
At present -- knock on wood -- the Pats have a completely healthy lineup for the first time this season. When Jordan Eberle and Colten Teubert return early next week from the Canada Winter Games, the Pats are expected to have a full roster of 24 players. Plus, teams generally call up midget AAA prospects at season's end to give them a taste of the big club.
"Those are decisions (to be made) as they occur," said Hunt. "For right now our focus is (tonight)."
With that in mind, Hunt emphasized that Regina can't afford to take anything for granted this weekend despite the fact that both of its opponents sport losing records. Saskatoon sits last in the East Division, one point back of the fifth-place Moose Jaw Warriors. The Blades are just six behind Prince Albert, which is clinging to the final playoff spot.
Hunt likened both squads to a "desperate dog in the corner."
"Expect them to bite," he said. "Expect them to compete. This is a very important weekend for everybody, including ourselves. We want to continue to get better and worry about our game, but at the same time understand our opponent."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Home sweet home
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, March 02, 2007
The Regina Pats will be staying close to home over the final two weeks of the WHL regular season.
The closer the better.
Regina concludes its schedule with nine straight games against East Division opponents -- five at the Brandt Centre, four on the road.
The home stretch begins tonight against the visiting Prince Albert Raiders.
"This is a telling time," said Pats head coach Curtis Hunt, whose team is looking to continue its season-long domination of inter-division rivals (21-9-1-3).
Barring a last-minute meltdown, the Pats will finish second in the East Division, meaning they'll claim home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. That's important because Regina owns one of the better home-ice records in the league at 20-8-1-2.
"There's a certain level of comfort playing at home," explained Hunt. "We have had success here, especially over the last two years. More importantly, to not (claim home-ice advantage), how does that mean we've played going into the postseason? It's important we stay the course and fine-tune our game. We want to hit that second season running."
Regina has a cozy but not insurmountable lead on its nearest competitors -- seven points on the third-place Swift Current Broncos and 10 on fourth-place Prince Albert.
Hunt doesn't want his players getting too comfortable.
"I wouldn't take anybody for granted," said the head coach, whose teams visits last-place Saskatoon on Saturday before concluding a busy weekend at home against the Blades on Sunday. "Saskatoon has certainly played us tough (this season). Swift Current has played us tough. The great thing is every game matters (for each team). We're not settled or nested in our spot."
According to Hunt, Regina's mission statement over the final nine games is to "gear up to take a run at the Memorial Cup." In the short term, however, it might benefit the Pats to build a nice cushion in the standings so they can rest some key veterans on the final weekend of the schedule.
At present -- knock on wood -- the Pats have a completely healthy lineup for the first time this season. When Jordan Eberle and Colten Teubert return early next week from the Canada Winter Games, the Pats are expected to have a full roster of 24 players. Plus, teams generally call up midget AAA prospects at season's end to give them a taste of the big club.
"Those are decisions (to be made) as they occur," said Hunt. "For right now our focus is (tonight)."
With that in mind, Hunt emphasized that Regina can't afford to take anything for granted this weekend despite the fact that both of its opponents sport losing records. Saskatoon sits last in the East Division, one point back of the fifth-place Moose Jaw Warriors. The Blades are just six behind Prince Albert, which is clinging to the final playoff spot.
Hunt likened both squads to a "desperate dog in the corner."
"Expect them to bite," he said. "Expect them to compete. This is a very important weekend for everybody, including ourselves. We want to continue to get better and worry about our game, but at the same time understand our opponent."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007