nivek_wahs
03-27-2007, 03:24 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=6c229316-fd07-43eb-8982-d808617e3b56&k=48315
Special team wasn't
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Since it's often true that specialty teams are magnified in the playoffs, it's no surprise that the Regina Pats' power play is attracting a lot of attention.
Regina has gone a combined 1-for-15 with the man advantage in the opening two games of its Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Swift Current Broncos. More to the point, an 0-for-9 showing in Game 2 is one of the main reasons why the best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 heading into tonight's showdown at the Centennial Civic Centre.
"It's too bad," lamented Pats centre Kyle Ross. "We were getting the chances and just weren't quite executing the things we had planned. It's not really going back to the drawing board. It's just fine-tuning."
The impact of a struggling power play is felt the most in tight games.
The Pats' 1-for-6 effort in Game 1 was a non-factor based upon the complexion of the game -- a 4-0 blowout. However, a subsequent 0-for-9 showing -- including two lengthy 5-on-3s -- was the most-glaring statistic to emerge from Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss.
When the Pats' success hinged on their power-play unit, it let them down.
"We'll have a look at it," head coach Curtis Hunt said after Saturday's loss. "We have a couple days to talk about it and get ready."
Hunt's tone was echoed by defenceman Logan Pyett, who sees no reason to panic at such an early juncture. After all, Regina's power play has been one of the team's strengths in recent weeks -- ranked No. 6 in the WHL during the regular season.
That fact alone suggests the basic approach is sound. It's the execution that needs to improve.
"I thought we moved the puck fairly well," noted Pyett. "We didn't seem to have too much problem getting into their zone. We just have to get more pucks through and get them moving a bit more."
It's the perfect example of how the playoffs are all about adjustments -- and counter-adjustments.
Swift Current made the first move by taking an aggressive posture against Regina's point men, who are the focal point of the power-play unit.
Regina's puck movement also wasn't as crisp and decisive Saturday as it has been in the past. That afforded Swift Current even more time to pressure the Pats' blueliners and get into the shooting lanes.
"They blocked a lot of shots," added Pyett, correctly giving credit where it's due. "We have to get more shots through, that's about all we can do. We have to get on the rebounds and get second opportunities on the power play and (good) things will happen for us."
The Pats are eager for a second chance -- in more ways than one.
Swift Current threw down the gauntlet with a much-improved effort on Saturday night, including a 2-for-6 showing on the power play after going 0-for-5 in the opener.
Head coach/GM Dean Chynoweth said his team's improvement on special teams is a simple matter of execution -- especially against a dangerous Pats' power play.
"Our penalty kill has been pretty good during the season, (but it) hasn't been very good against the Pats," said Chynoweth. "I thought (Saturday) some guys really stepped up and paid the price in blocking those shots. We're going to need much more of that in the games to come."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Special team wasn't
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Since it's often true that specialty teams are magnified in the playoffs, it's no surprise that the Regina Pats' power play is attracting a lot of attention.
Regina has gone a combined 1-for-15 with the man advantage in the opening two games of its Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Swift Current Broncos. More to the point, an 0-for-9 showing in Game 2 is one of the main reasons why the best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 heading into tonight's showdown at the Centennial Civic Centre.
"It's too bad," lamented Pats centre Kyle Ross. "We were getting the chances and just weren't quite executing the things we had planned. It's not really going back to the drawing board. It's just fine-tuning."
The impact of a struggling power play is felt the most in tight games.
The Pats' 1-for-6 effort in Game 1 was a non-factor based upon the complexion of the game -- a 4-0 blowout. However, a subsequent 0-for-9 showing -- including two lengthy 5-on-3s -- was the most-glaring statistic to emerge from Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss.
When the Pats' success hinged on their power-play unit, it let them down.
"We'll have a look at it," head coach Curtis Hunt said after Saturday's loss. "We have a couple days to talk about it and get ready."
Hunt's tone was echoed by defenceman Logan Pyett, who sees no reason to panic at such an early juncture. After all, Regina's power play has been one of the team's strengths in recent weeks -- ranked No. 6 in the WHL during the regular season.
That fact alone suggests the basic approach is sound. It's the execution that needs to improve.
"I thought we moved the puck fairly well," noted Pyett. "We didn't seem to have too much problem getting into their zone. We just have to get more pucks through and get them moving a bit more."
It's the perfect example of how the playoffs are all about adjustments -- and counter-adjustments.
Swift Current made the first move by taking an aggressive posture against Regina's point men, who are the focal point of the power-play unit.
Regina's puck movement also wasn't as crisp and decisive Saturday as it has been in the past. That afforded Swift Current even more time to pressure the Pats' blueliners and get into the shooting lanes.
"They blocked a lot of shots," added Pyett, correctly giving credit where it's due. "We have to get more shots through, that's about all we can do. We have to get on the rebounds and get second opportunities on the power play and (good) things will happen for us."
The Pats are eager for a second chance -- in more ways than one.
Swift Current threw down the gauntlet with a much-improved effort on Saturday night, including a 2-for-6 showing on the power play after going 0-for-5 in the opener.
Head coach/GM Dean Chynoweth said his team's improvement on special teams is a simple matter of execution -- especially against a dangerous Pats' power play.
"Our penalty kill has been pretty good during the season, (but it) hasn't been very good against the Pats," said Chynoweth. "I thought (Saturday) some guys really stepped up and paid the price in blocking those shots. We're going to need much more of that in the games to come."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007