nivek_wahs
03-09-2007, 04:13 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=274f7e3e-bff1-4629-a8d1-addd7dac0e2e
Season series on the line in weekend clash
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, March 09, 2007
What's left for the Regina Pats?
Having wrapped up second place in the East Division and clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, Regina's last five regular-season games might seem trivial.
Not true.
The Pats' playoff footing may be secure, but the same can't be said of the Moose Jaw Warriors, whose tenuous position has opened the door for Regina to deliver a crippling blow to its arch rival.
"They're still chasing that last playoff spot so it would be nice to have a huge weekend against them," said Pats centre Kyle Ross, whose team visits the Moose Jaw Civic Centre tonight and plays host to the Warriors on Saturday night at the Brandt Centre.
"There are lots of reasons to get up for these games. We want to be playing our best hockey going into the postseason, so we can't take any steps back. And, it's Moose Jaw! We still have the Mayors Cup (a trophy awarded to the winner of the season series). That hasn't been decided yet."
The Pats have a record of 4-2-0-1 against their hated rivals this season, so the Warriors must win both games this weekend to claim the Mayors Cup. More importantly, Moose Jaw is just three points behind the Prince Albert Raiders in the race for a playoff spot.
"This weekend is going to be huge," offered Pats right-winger Brett Leffler. "We want to beat Moose Jaw just as bad as they want to beat us. These next two games are going to determine how we want to play in the playoffs."
The obvious concern for Regina is the looming threat of injuries and/or suspensions that could potentially impact their postseason lineup. Although the Pats can't afford any setbacks, head coach Curtis Hunt insists it would be more dangerous to let their foot off the gas.
"I don't worry about (injuries) at all," he said. "You have to play the game -- you have to play it honest and you have to play it hard to have success. Injuries are part of that. You just turn yourself inside out if you're going to worry about them."
Leffler agreed.
"If injuries happen, they happen," he said. "We have to play like it's playoff hockey and we'll be fine. We can't worry about anything else."
The Pats visit Prince Albert on Wednesday before closing out the regular season with a home-and-home series against the first-place Brandon Wheat Kings.
Since Moose Jaw and P.A. both have playoff spots on the line, Regina isn't likely to make significant lineup changes against either team. However, the Pats will be in a position to rest key veterans against Brandon, since those two games will be meaningless in the standings.
Regina has several available prospects who could fill in, including forwards Matt Strueby, Garrett Mitchell, Brent Raedeke and Kenton Miller of the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians, who were eliminated from the playoffs on Thursday.
Strueby practised with the Pats earlier this season while Mitchell has already dressed for two games, making them the most-likely players to see game action.
Regina could also bring in defencemen Dru Cotterill (Alberta midget AAA) and Koltyn Miller (Tisdale Trojans) for a look-see. Currently unavailable due to playoff commitments are Prince Albert Mintos defenceman Curtis Kulchar, Saskatoon Blazers goalie Jeff Bosch and Blazers forward Brett Miller, all of whom have seen action with Regina this season.
"We'll see how the week goes before we make those decisions (on callups)," said Hunt. "As much as you'd like to have a look at them, you have to be mindful of our lineup and what we want to do. We want to continue playing well and being on a roll."
The paperwork on Strueby's WHL contract was officially completed earlier this week, ending a lengthy recruitment process. The 17-year-old winger was the co-MVP in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League this season with 36 goals in 43 games.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Season series on the line in weekend clash
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, March 09, 2007
What's left for the Regina Pats?
Having wrapped up second place in the East Division and clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, Regina's last five regular-season games might seem trivial.
Not true.
The Pats' playoff footing may be secure, but the same can't be said of the Moose Jaw Warriors, whose tenuous position has opened the door for Regina to deliver a crippling blow to its arch rival.
"They're still chasing that last playoff spot so it would be nice to have a huge weekend against them," said Pats centre Kyle Ross, whose team visits the Moose Jaw Civic Centre tonight and plays host to the Warriors on Saturday night at the Brandt Centre.
"There are lots of reasons to get up for these games. We want to be playing our best hockey going into the postseason, so we can't take any steps back. And, it's Moose Jaw! We still have the Mayors Cup (a trophy awarded to the winner of the season series). That hasn't been decided yet."
The Pats have a record of 4-2-0-1 against their hated rivals this season, so the Warriors must win both games this weekend to claim the Mayors Cup. More importantly, Moose Jaw is just three points behind the Prince Albert Raiders in the race for a playoff spot.
"This weekend is going to be huge," offered Pats right-winger Brett Leffler. "We want to beat Moose Jaw just as bad as they want to beat us. These next two games are going to determine how we want to play in the playoffs."
The obvious concern for Regina is the looming threat of injuries and/or suspensions that could potentially impact their postseason lineup. Although the Pats can't afford any setbacks, head coach Curtis Hunt insists it would be more dangerous to let their foot off the gas.
"I don't worry about (injuries) at all," he said. "You have to play the game -- you have to play it honest and you have to play it hard to have success. Injuries are part of that. You just turn yourself inside out if you're going to worry about them."
Leffler agreed.
"If injuries happen, they happen," he said. "We have to play like it's playoff hockey and we'll be fine. We can't worry about anything else."
The Pats visit Prince Albert on Wednesday before closing out the regular season with a home-and-home series against the first-place Brandon Wheat Kings.
Since Moose Jaw and P.A. both have playoff spots on the line, Regina isn't likely to make significant lineup changes against either team. However, the Pats will be in a position to rest key veterans against Brandon, since those two games will be meaningless in the standings.
Regina has several available prospects who could fill in, including forwards Matt Strueby, Garrett Mitchell, Brent Raedeke and Kenton Miller of the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians, who were eliminated from the playoffs on Thursday.
Strueby practised with the Pats earlier this season while Mitchell has already dressed for two games, making them the most-likely players to see game action.
Regina could also bring in defencemen Dru Cotterill (Alberta midget AAA) and Koltyn Miller (Tisdale Trojans) for a look-see. Currently unavailable due to playoff commitments are Prince Albert Mintos defenceman Curtis Kulchar, Saskatoon Blazers goalie Jeff Bosch and Blazers forward Brett Miller, all of whom have seen action with Regina this season.
"We'll see how the week goes before we make those decisions (on callups)," said Hunt. "As much as you'd like to have a look at them, you have to be mindful of our lineup and what we want to do. We want to continue playing well and being on a roll."
The paperwork on Strueby's WHL contract was officially completed earlier this week, ending a lengthy recruitment process. The 17-year-old winger was the co-MVP in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League this season with 36 goals in 43 games.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007