nivek_wahs
03-27-2007, 03:27 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=b2434fcf-bbf3-49c3-af5d-7555166ddbcf
Pats paddling against current
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Regina Pats are officially up the creek.
After settling for a two-game split at the Brandt Centre, the Pats are headed up the road to Speedy Creek for the next stage in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Swift Current Broncos.
The pendulum is now swinging towards the Broncos, who've stolen home-ice advantage in what has become a best-of-five showdown. Game 3 goes tonight at the Centennial Civic Centre.
"The truth is, this is a game of momentum," acknowledged Pats head coach Curtis Hunt. "We saw momentum swings within that game Saturday night (a 4-3 OT loss). We need to understand that going in. (The Broncos) are charged up. They've reclaimed home ice. We need to adjust accordingly."
Swift Current made a dramatic adjustment after getting knocked around in Game 1 -- a 4-0 decision at the Brandt Centre. The visitors pushed back the next night and were rewarded with a thrilling OT victory.
What's in store for Game 3? From Regina's perspective, not much changes.
"It's the same two teams," noted Hunt. "It's just a matter of how we prepare and our mindset going in. You have to be at your best and you have to get your intensity level to where it needs to be without getting over the top."
The scenario isn't unlike the one Regina faced heading into Game 1. After posting one of the best home records in the league this season, the Pats couldn't help but feel confident about opening the first two games of the series at the Brandt Centre.
Conversely, the Broncos made no secret of their hope to salvage a split in Regina, then make a stand back home for Games 3 and 4.
"We talked about that," head coach/GM Dean Chynoweth said after Saturday's win. "Coming in from the opening game we wanted to get a split. We're pleased."
That's not to say the Pats have gone from favourites to underdogs overnight.
"We still feel confident," said defenceman Logan Pyett. "We've won in their building this year. We're going to go in there and try to pull a couple out."
Swift Current had lost all five of its previous games at the Brandt Centre this season before pulling out a victory in Game 2. The Pats, meanwhile, have already won twice at the Civic Centre, posting a 2-2 record.
"It has been an interesting building this year," noted centre Kyle Ross. "We've pretty much had everything in that rink."
No kidding.
Regina opened the regular season with a 5-2 victory in Swift Current on Sept. 22. Business picked up on Dec. 3, when the Pats scored twice in the final four minutes but had a game-tying goal called off at the buzzer, losing 3-2.
On Jan. 5, the Pats suffered their most-humiliating defeat of the season, dropping a 9-0 laugher. They came back for redemption on Jan. 24, skating to a 7-2 blowout win.
Overall, Swift Current outscored Regina 16-14 at the Civic Centre this season. However, the visitors have enjoyed a 119-101 edge in shots while converting 24 per cent of their power plays.
"It'll be a big test," added Ross. "We're going to have to come out with a better effort."
The change in venue means the roles are now reversed in favour of the Broncos. Swift Current played well on home ice this season (20-15-1-0) while Regina struggled on the road (11-20-1-4).
Hunt seems to get more agitated each time the subject is raised, but the fact remains that his team has yet to prove it can win consistently away from the Brandt Centre.
"At this time of year, this home/road thing (doesn't matter)," he countered. "You're playing the same team. The dimensions (of the ice) are the same. It's just understanding the crowd and what it can do.
"There are always adjustments (to the gameplan) but at the same time it's a mindset. The kids understand we weren't ready for that game (Saturday). We'll prepare better and go in there and play the game that we need to play to have success."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Pats paddling against current
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Regina Pats are officially up the creek.
After settling for a two-game split at the Brandt Centre, the Pats are headed up the road to Speedy Creek for the next stage in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Swift Current Broncos.
The pendulum is now swinging towards the Broncos, who've stolen home-ice advantage in what has become a best-of-five showdown. Game 3 goes tonight at the Centennial Civic Centre.
"The truth is, this is a game of momentum," acknowledged Pats head coach Curtis Hunt. "We saw momentum swings within that game Saturday night (a 4-3 OT loss). We need to understand that going in. (The Broncos) are charged up. They've reclaimed home ice. We need to adjust accordingly."
Swift Current made a dramatic adjustment after getting knocked around in Game 1 -- a 4-0 decision at the Brandt Centre. The visitors pushed back the next night and were rewarded with a thrilling OT victory.
What's in store for Game 3? From Regina's perspective, not much changes.
"It's the same two teams," noted Hunt. "It's just a matter of how we prepare and our mindset going in. You have to be at your best and you have to get your intensity level to where it needs to be without getting over the top."
The scenario isn't unlike the one Regina faced heading into Game 1. After posting one of the best home records in the league this season, the Pats couldn't help but feel confident about opening the first two games of the series at the Brandt Centre.
Conversely, the Broncos made no secret of their hope to salvage a split in Regina, then make a stand back home for Games 3 and 4.
"We talked about that," head coach/GM Dean Chynoweth said after Saturday's win. "Coming in from the opening game we wanted to get a split. We're pleased."
That's not to say the Pats have gone from favourites to underdogs overnight.
"We still feel confident," said defenceman Logan Pyett. "We've won in their building this year. We're going to go in there and try to pull a couple out."
Swift Current had lost all five of its previous games at the Brandt Centre this season before pulling out a victory in Game 2. The Pats, meanwhile, have already won twice at the Civic Centre, posting a 2-2 record.
"It has been an interesting building this year," noted centre Kyle Ross. "We've pretty much had everything in that rink."
No kidding.
Regina opened the regular season with a 5-2 victory in Swift Current on Sept. 22. Business picked up on Dec. 3, when the Pats scored twice in the final four minutes but had a game-tying goal called off at the buzzer, losing 3-2.
On Jan. 5, the Pats suffered their most-humiliating defeat of the season, dropping a 9-0 laugher. They came back for redemption on Jan. 24, skating to a 7-2 blowout win.
Overall, Swift Current outscored Regina 16-14 at the Civic Centre this season. However, the visitors have enjoyed a 119-101 edge in shots while converting 24 per cent of their power plays.
"It'll be a big test," added Ross. "We're going to have to come out with a better effort."
The change in venue means the roles are now reversed in favour of the Broncos. Swift Current played well on home ice this season (20-15-1-0) while Regina struggled on the road (11-20-1-4).
Hunt seems to get more agitated each time the subject is raised, but the fact remains that his team has yet to prove it can win consistently away from the Brandt Centre.
"At this time of year, this home/road thing (doesn't matter)," he countered. "You're playing the same team. The dimensions (of the ice) are the same. It's just understanding the crowd and what it can do.
"There are always adjustments (to the gameplan) but at the same time it's a mindset. The kids understand we weren't ready for that game (Saturday). We'll prepare better and go in there and play the game that we need to play to have success."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007