nivek_wahs
04-11-2007, 03:46 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=aed3d8c5-f7cb-44b3-ac46-073c3ef56d06
Virus keeping rookie Eberle out of lineup
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Jordan Eberle is "feeling a lot better."
That said, it's painfully obvious that he couldn't feel much worse. The Regina Pats' top goal-scorer is expected to remain a spectator tonight when his team plays host to the Medicine Hat Tigers in Game 3 of an Eastern Conference semifinal.
A nasty virus prevented Eberle from accompanying his team to Medicine Hat for Games 1 and 2 -- both losses. He remained in isolation through the long weekend and was unable to join his teammates for Tuesday's practice at the Brandt Centre.
"It's not something you ever want to go through," Eberle said via telephone on Tuesday. "It's obviously tough, especially when you're down (in the series). You feel like you could be out there and doing something."
In some ways, Eberle's illness has been more frustrating than an injury. He was forced to watch the opening two games of the series on the Internet and hasn't had any direct contact with his teammates in five days.
"When you're injured you can still be at the game and watching the guys," he noted. "But when you're sick, you have to stay home and rest."
The virus hasn't just made Eberle feel ill, it's also zapping his strength.
"It's kind of keeping me from being active," he said. "I get really tired and worn down."
Although Eberle's condition has improved, the Pats don't know when he'll be healthy enough to dress.
"We'll wait and see," said head coach Curtis Hunt. "Possibly by the end of the week."
Eberle is more optimistic, insisting he hasn't ruled out playing tonight. That said, he doesn't know how long it will take for the illness to completely run its course.
"I'm not sure right now," he admitted. "I am feeling better. We'll see how it goes in the next couple of days. For the guys, just don't give up. We're down two games but we can come back and steal these two games at home."
If healthy, Eberle could provide a significant boost for a Pats' attack that generated just three goals on 43 shots in two games. The Regina native isn't a run-of-the-mill 16-year-old, having led the Pats with 28 goals during the regular season.
He also recorded two goals and five assists during Regina's first-round matchup against the Swift Current Broncos. That series was dominated by Regina's No. 1 line of Eberle, Garrett Festerling and Michael MacAngus.
Eberle's spot on the roster has been filled by veteran Mike Reich, who was a healthy scratch throughout the first round due to what Hunt termed as "a difference of opinion."
Now that Reich is out of the doghouse, Hunt believes the feisty winger can provide a spark with his physical play.
"He brings energy and a little bit of the unknown for the other team," said Hunt, who emphasized the need for Reich to stay disciplined after taking "a couple bad penalties" in the series.
"We expected him to be maybe a little on the hyper-vigilant side (after getting back in the lineup). He had some great energy shifts. It would be nice for him to see the back of the net, him and a few others."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Virus keeping rookie Eberle out of lineup
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Jordan Eberle is "feeling a lot better."
That said, it's painfully obvious that he couldn't feel much worse. The Regina Pats' top goal-scorer is expected to remain a spectator tonight when his team plays host to the Medicine Hat Tigers in Game 3 of an Eastern Conference semifinal.
A nasty virus prevented Eberle from accompanying his team to Medicine Hat for Games 1 and 2 -- both losses. He remained in isolation through the long weekend and was unable to join his teammates for Tuesday's practice at the Brandt Centre.
"It's not something you ever want to go through," Eberle said via telephone on Tuesday. "It's obviously tough, especially when you're down (in the series). You feel like you could be out there and doing something."
In some ways, Eberle's illness has been more frustrating than an injury. He was forced to watch the opening two games of the series on the Internet and hasn't had any direct contact with his teammates in five days.
"When you're injured you can still be at the game and watching the guys," he noted. "But when you're sick, you have to stay home and rest."
The virus hasn't just made Eberle feel ill, it's also zapping his strength.
"It's kind of keeping me from being active," he said. "I get really tired and worn down."
Although Eberle's condition has improved, the Pats don't know when he'll be healthy enough to dress.
"We'll wait and see," said head coach Curtis Hunt. "Possibly by the end of the week."
Eberle is more optimistic, insisting he hasn't ruled out playing tonight. That said, he doesn't know how long it will take for the illness to completely run its course.
"I'm not sure right now," he admitted. "I am feeling better. We'll see how it goes in the next couple of days. For the guys, just don't give up. We're down two games but we can come back and steal these two games at home."
If healthy, Eberle could provide a significant boost for a Pats' attack that generated just three goals on 43 shots in two games. The Regina native isn't a run-of-the-mill 16-year-old, having led the Pats with 28 goals during the regular season.
He also recorded two goals and five assists during Regina's first-round matchup against the Swift Current Broncos. That series was dominated by Regina's No. 1 line of Eberle, Garrett Festerling and Michael MacAngus.
Eberle's spot on the roster has been filled by veteran Mike Reich, who was a healthy scratch throughout the first round due to what Hunt termed as "a difference of opinion."
Now that Reich is out of the doghouse, Hunt believes the feisty winger can provide a spark with his physical play.
"He brings energy and a little bit of the unknown for the other team," said Hunt, who emphasized the need for Reich to stay disciplined after taking "a couple bad penalties" in the series.
"We expected him to be maybe a little on the hyper-vigilant side (after getting back in the lineup). He had some great energy shifts. It would be nice for him to see the back of the net, him and a few others."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007