nivek_wahs
04-05-2007, 02:44 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=4f54734e-1018-43d6-8527-af2bf05044d8
Sibling rivalry?
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, April 05, 2007
Regina Pats centre Garrett Festerling doesn't usually fire warning shots -- especially from such a distance.
However, the top scorer in the WHL playoffs is making an exception in the case of his twin brother Brett, a stalwart defenceman and captain of the Vancouver Giants. Garrett Festerling is eager to renew his sibling rivalry with Brett, even though it may take a berth in the Memorial Cup to do it.
The Giants already have a spot secured as the host team of this year's CHL championship. The Pats will have to do it the hard way by winning four playoff rounds.
One down, three to go.
"I warned him a long time ago (to start looking over his shoulder), ever since he beat us in Vancouver," Garrett said with a grin, referring to his team's 2-0 loss to the Giants on Nov. 18. "I told him I guess we'll have to see you in the Mem Cup."
Garrett and Brett Festerling, who turned 21 on March 3, are in their final season of junior eligibility. The brothers also share a burning desire to end their WHL careers on a high note.
"I talk to him every day on the Internet," said Garrett. "On the phone? Maybe once, twice a week. We're pretty close. We talk about a lot of things."
Including the Memorial Cup.
That said, Garrett Festerling's immediate concern is to help engineer a second-round upset against the powerhouse Medicine Hat Tigers. Considering the difficult nature of the task at hand -- beginning with Game 1 on Saturday in Medicine Hat -- the last thing on Festerling's mind is a pre-arranged championship duel with his brother.
"That would be looking a little too far ahead," he said. "Obviously (winning a title) is the main goal for any hockey club. That would be ideal but it's going to be a hard road and we've just begun."
Festerling, the reigning WHL player-of-the-week, recorded four goals and 10 points in six games during the first round of the playoffs. That put him in a tie with Tigers defenceman Kris Russell for the league scoring lead, although Festerling gets the unofficial edge because he has played one fewer game.
"Right now he's playing the best hockey of his career," said GM Brent Parker. "It's the old cliche, your best players have to be your best players. He has certainly been outstanding."
He's also getting some help from his friends, in particular linemates Michael MacAngus and Jordan Eberle. MacAngus is tied with Festerling for the team lead with four goals and sits second on the club with nine points. Eberle has two goals and five assists for seven points.
Together, Regina's No. 1 unit accounted for roughly half of the team's offence in a first-round triumph over the Swift Current Broncos.
"During the playoffs you need everyone to be playing well to have success or that weak link will hurt you," noted Festerling, who led the Pats with 73 points in 67 regular-season games. "Team success helps with individual success. When you get a chance to play on a team with great players who are dedicated to doing well, (personal accolades) are bound to happen."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Sibling rivalry?
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, April 05, 2007
Regina Pats centre Garrett Festerling doesn't usually fire warning shots -- especially from such a distance.
However, the top scorer in the WHL playoffs is making an exception in the case of his twin brother Brett, a stalwart defenceman and captain of the Vancouver Giants. Garrett Festerling is eager to renew his sibling rivalry with Brett, even though it may take a berth in the Memorial Cup to do it.
The Giants already have a spot secured as the host team of this year's CHL championship. The Pats will have to do it the hard way by winning four playoff rounds.
One down, three to go.
"I warned him a long time ago (to start looking over his shoulder), ever since he beat us in Vancouver," Garrett said with a grin, referring to his team's 2-0 loss to the Giants on Nov. 18. "I told him I guess we'll have to see you in the Mem Cup."
Garrett and Brett Festerling, who turned 21 on March 3, are in their final season of junior eligibility. The brothers also share a burning desire to end their WHL careers on a high note.
"I talk to him every day on the Internet," said Garrett. "On the phone? Maybe once, twice a week. We're pretty close. We talk about a lot of things."
Including the Memorial Cup.
That said, Garrett Festerling's immediate concern is to help engineer a second-round upset against the powerhouse Medicine Hat Tigers. Considering the difficult nature of the task at hand -- beginning with Game 1 on Saturday in Medicine Hat -- the last thing on Festerling's mind is a pre-arranged championship duel with his brother.
"That would be looking a little too far ahead," he said. "Obviously (winning a title) is the main goal for any hockey club. That would be ideal but it's going to be a hard road and we've just begun."
Festerling, the reigning WHL player-of-the-week, recorded four goals and 10 points in six games during the first round of the playoffs. That put him in a tie with Tigers defenceman Kris Russell for the league scoring lead, although Festerling gets the unofficial edge because he has played one fewer game.
"Right now he's playing the best hockey of his career," said GM Brent Parker. "It's the old cliche, your best players have to be your best players. He has certainly been outstanding."
He's also getting some help from his friends, in particular linemates Michael MacAngus and Jordan Eberle. MacAngus is tied with Festerling for the team lead with four goals and sits second on the club with nine points. Eberle has two goals and five assists for seven points.
Together, Regina's No. 1 unit accounted for roughly half of the team's offence in a first-round triumph over the Swift Current Broncos.
"During the playoffs you need everyone to be playing well to have success or that weak link will hurt you," noted Festerling, who led the Pats with 73 points in 67 regular-season games. "Team success helps with individual success. When you get a chance to play on a team with great players who are dedicated to doing well, (personal accolades) are bound to happen."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007