nivek_wahs
03-30-2007, 03:22 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=6739eb52-cd41-4363-aba4-63ddfadca63c
Pats' top line clearly a terrific scoring trio
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, March 30, 2007
Balance is the key to the Regina Pats' scoring attack, but a prolific No. 1 line is clearly what's tipping the scales in their favour.
The trio of Garrett Festerling, Jordan Eberle and Michael MacAngus has carried its regular-season success into the playoffs, providing Regina with a consistent push at the top of its lineup.
That production is a big reason why the Pats own a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Swift Current Broncos. Regina can wrap up the series tonight at the Brandt Centre.
"They're as good a line as there is across our league," offered Pats head coach Curtis Hunt. "They have different strengths within their game, which make them very, very good together. We felt going in that their familiarity with each other would create one less distraction for them to worry about (during the playoffs)."
Festerling, Eberle and MacAngus are currently ranked 1-2-3 in team scoring and have accounted for nearly half of Regina's playoff offence. Festerling has three goals and three assists in the first four games. Eberle also has six points (one goal and five assists) while MacAngus posted three goals and two assists.
The threesome boasts a combined plus-11 rating.
"We seem to know where each other are on the ice," explained MacAngus. "We've had a lot of chemistry together right from the beginning and we've been able to continue it for the whole season."
The individual talents of Eberle, MacAngus and Festerling have proven to be an effective complement -- due in part to their contrasting styles.
The speedy Festerling is a dangerous scorer and playmaker up the middle. On the wings, MacAngus provides grit and a nose for the net while Eberle, although still a rookie, has the poise of a veteran and is the best pure offensive talent on the team.
"Me and Festy play similar games with speed and quickness," noted Eberle, who scored a team-high 28 goals during the regular season. "MacAngus is kind of similar to a Ryan Smyth-kind of guy. He's in front of the net mucking it up. Together we've created some kind of combination. During the season we had some success. We didn't really try to look at the playoffs differently. We just try to do the same things. It has worked out for us so far."
Festerling and Eberle have been together for much of the season while MacAngus joined them after he was acquired at the trade deadline from the Saskatoon Blades.
The unit was separated briefly at the end of the regular season, then re-united for the playoffs.
"It was kind of a cool thing, knowing we've had success together," said Festerling, who led the team with 73 points this season. "But we have a lot of depth in our lineup. It doesn't matter who you play with nowadays because everyone can contribute."
That includes veteran centre Kyle Ross, who has continued to produce despite a variety of linemates. His wing men this season have included Troy Ofukany, Kaspars Saulietis, Mike Reich, Brett Leffler and Kirt Hill, among others.
Ross was re-united with Ofukany and Saulietis for Game 4 on Wednesday, with Kirt Hill also thrown into the mix. Ross scored twice in Wednesday's 5-2 win while defenceman Logan Pyett added his third goal in the past two outings.
"When you get to this time of year, your best players have to be your best players," added Hunt, who is pleased with the work of his No. 1 line. "They're dangerous every time they're on the ice, assuming they work hard and take care of the details without the puck. Knowing they're a threat every time can be taxing for the opposition."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Pats' top line clearly a terrific scoring trio
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, March 30, 2007
Balance is the key to the Regina Pats' scoring attack, but a prolific No. 1 line is clearly what's tipping the scales in their favour.
The trio of Garrett Festerling, Jordan Eberle and Michael MacAngus has carried its regular-season success into the playoffs, providing Regina with a consistent push at the top of its lineup.
That production is a big reason why the Pats own a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Swift Current Broncos. Regina can wrap up the series tonight at the Brandt Centre.
"They're as good a line as there is across our league," offered Pats head coach Curtis Hunt. "They have different strengths within their game, which make them very, very good together. We felt going in that their familiarity with each other would create one less distraction for them to worry about (during the playoffs)."
Festerling, Eberle and MacAngus are currently ranked 1-2-3 in team scoring and have accounted for nearly half of Regina's playoff offence. Festerling has three goals and three assists in the first four games. Eberle also has six points (one goal and five assists) while MacAngus posted three goals and two assists.
The threesome boasts a combined plus-11 rating.
"We seem to know where each other are on the ice," explained MacAngus. "We've had a lot of chemistry together right from the beginning and we've been able to continue it for the whole season."
The individual talents of Eberle, MacAngus and Festerling have proven to be an effective complement -- due in part to their contrasting styles.
The speedy Festerling is a dangerous scorer and playmaker up the middle. On the wings, MacAngus provides grit and a nose for the net while Eberle, although still a rookie, has the poise of a veteran and is the best pure offensive talent on the team.
"Me and Festy play similar games with speed and quickness," noted Eberle, who scored a team-high 28 goals during the regular season. "MacAngus is kind of similar to a Ryan Smyth-kind of guy. He's in front of the net mucking it up. Together we've created some kind of combination. During the season we had some success. We didn't really try to look at the playoffs differently. We just try to do the same things. It has worked out for us so far."
Festerling and Eberle have been together for much of the season while MacAngus joined them after he was acquired at the trade deadline from the Saskatoon Blades.
The unit was separated briefly at the end of the regular season, then re-united for the playoffs.
"It was kind of a cool thing, knowing we've had success together," said Festerling, who led the team with 73 points this season. "But we have a lot of depth in our lineup. It doesn't matter who you play with nowadays because everyone can contribute."
That includes veteran centre Kyle Ross, who has continued to produce despite a variety of linemates. His wing men this season have included Troy Ofukany, Kaspars Saulietis, Mike Reich, Brett Leffler and Kirt Hill, among others.
Ross was re-united with Ofukany and Saulietis for Game 4 on Wednesday, with Kirt Hill also thrown into the mix. Ross scored twice in Wednesday's 5-2 win while defenceman Logan Pyett added his third goal in the past two outings.
"When you get to this time of year, your best players have to be your best players," added Hunt, who is pleased with the work of his No. 1 line. "They're dangerous every time they're on the ice, assuming they work hard and take care of the details without the puck. Knowing they're a threat every time can be taxing for the opposition."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007