nivek_wahs
01-25-2008, 06:45 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=f70f7329-25ae-4333-a2cd-0170b95bf960
Trades benefit Eberle
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, January 25, 2008
Jordan Eberle understands the value of a good bullpen.
The ace sniper received some much-needed relief prior to the Jan. 10 trade deadline when the Regina Pats acquired veteran forwards Scott Doucet, J.D. Watt and Ryan DePape. Those additions helped provide necessary depth behind the overworked No. 1 line of Eberle, Tim Kraus and Michael MacAngus.
"Our depth was good before, but now it's even better," said Eberle, who leads the Pats with 30 goals and 52 points in 48 games. "With the trades, we brought a lot more scoring punch to our team. It's tough for teams to match up against us now since all our lines can score."
Eberle is reaping the benefits.
The 17-year-old winger has regained his scoring touch since the deadline, potting five goals and nine points in six games -- all wins. In nine previous contests, he had just one goal and four points, plus two shootout winners.
Eberle's recent output vaulted him into a tie for second in the WHL goal-scoring race. He's also tied for first in game-winning goals with eight.
"When your team is having success, the personal success comes with it," he explained, adding that the Pats have averaged nearly five goals per game during their six-game winning streak.
Leading the way is a rejuvenated No. 1 line of Kraus (4-8--12), Eberle (5-4--9) and MacAngus (2-7--9). The unit has contributed 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points in those six contests.
"They've been tremendous throughout the season," offered head coach Curtis Hunt. "The funny thing is, they go a couple games without scoring and people think they're in a slump. They still do a lot of really good things with and without the puck. They've been consistent performers for us throughout the season, which is why before the trades we were where we were as a team (in first place)."
Since the trade deadline, Regina's offence has gone from a one-trick pony to a multi-faceted attack. The emergence of a formidable second unit comprising Doucet, Watt and Rudolf Cerveny has given opponents a lot more to digest.
"Instead of loading up against one line, you have to be aware of two," noted Hunt, adding that the third unit centred by Kirt Hill has also been a persistent scoring threat. "It really tests their depth and personnel."
It also leaves more room for Eberle, who had been virtually suffocated by opposing defences prior to the deadline.
Now he has a little more room to breathe.
"Some teams are worse than others, but you try not to worry too much about that," he said of the constant muggings. "You just try to go out there and play your game."
Eberle's game has produced a career-high 30 goals, two more than he potted in 66 games last season as a WHL rookie. The Regina product is just the third member of the Pats in six years to crack the 30-goal barrier, joining Petr Kalus (36) and Matt Robinson (35) from the high-scoring 2005-06 squad.
"That's a pretty big deal," said Eberle. "Kalus was an awesome player to watch. To be considered in the same league as him is unreal."
Eberle is on pace to finish with 44 goals this season, which would be the highest total since Matt Hubbauer scored 48 in 2001-02. Hubbauer's mark is within reach, provided Eberle doesn't run out of gas.
Aside from the usual rigours of a 72-game schedule, Eberle and defenceman Colten Teubert have also taken part in three extracurricular events over the past six months: The world under-18 championship in August, the Canada-Russia ADT Challenge in November and the Top Prospects event this week.
The Prospects Game on Wednesday was sandwiched between two straight weekends of three games in three nights. The Pats are slated to hit the road for games Friday and Saturday -- against the Medicine Hat Tigers and Swift Current Broncos, respectively -- before returning home Sunday to meet the Saskatoon Blades.
"It does get tiring as the season wears on," added Eberle, who's eligible for the 2008 NHL entry draft. "But you look back and just go, 'Wow, it has gone by so quick.' You try not to worry too much about how many games you've played. You just go out and play."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008
Trades benefit Eberle
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, January 25, 2008
Jordan Eberle understands the value of a good bullpen.
The ace sniper received some much-needed relief prior to the Jan. 10 trade deadline when the Regina Pats acquired veteran forwards Scott Doucet, J.D. Watt and Ryan DePape. Those additions helped provide necessary depth behind the overworked No. 1 line of Eberle, Tim Kraus and Michael MacAngus.
"Our depth was good before, but now it's even better," said Eberle, who leads the Pats with 30 goals and 52 points in 48 games. "With the trades, we brought a lot more scoring punch to our team. It's tough for teams to match up against us now since all our lines can score."
Eberle is reaping the benefits.
The 17-year-old winger has regained his scoring touch since the deadline, potting five goals and nine points in six games -- all wins. In nine previous contests, he had just one goal and four points, plus two shootout winners.
Eberle's recent output vaulted him into a tie for second in the WHL goal-scoring race. He's also tied for first in game-winning goals with eight.
"When your team is having success, the personal success comes with it," he explained, adding that the Pats have averaged nearly five goals per game during their six-game winning streak.
Leading the way is a rejuvenated No. 1 line of Kraus (4-8--12), Eberle (5-4--9) and MacAngus (2-7--9). The unit has contributed 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points in those six contests.
"They've been tremendous throughout the season," offered head coach Curtis Hunt. "The funny thing is, they go a couple games without scoring and people think they're in a slump. They still do a lot of really good things with and without the puck. They've been consistent performers for us throughout the season, which is why before the trades we were where we were as a team (in first place)."
Since the trade deadline, Regina's offence has gone from a one-trick pony to a multi-faceted attack. The emergence of a formidable second unit comprising Doucet, Watt and Rudolf Cerveny has given opponents a lot more to digest.
"Instead of loading up against one line, you have to be aware of two," noted Hunt, adding that the third unit centred by Kirt Hill has also been a persistent scoring threat. "It really tests their depth and personnel."
It also leaves more room for Eberle, who had been virtually suffocated by opposing defences prior to the deadline.
Now he has a little more room to breathe.
"Some teams are worse than others, but you try not to worry too much about that," he said of the constant muggings. "You just try to go out there and play your game."
Eberle's game has produced a career-high 30 goals, two more than he potted in 66 games last season as a WHL rookie. The Regina product is just the third member of the Pats in six years to crack the 30-goal barrier, joining Petr Kalus (36) and Matt Robinson (35) from the high-scoring 2005-06 squad.
"That's a pretty big deal," said Eberle. "Kalus was an awesome player to watch. To be considered in the same league as him is unreal."
Eberle is on pace to finish with 44 goals this season, which would be the highest total since Matt Hubbauer scored 48 in 2001-02. Hubbauer's mark is within reach, provided Eberle doesn't run out of gas.
Aside from the usual rigours of a 72-game schedule, Eberle and defenceman Colten Teubert have also taken part in three extracurricular events over the past six months: The world under-18 championship in August, the Canada-Russia ADT Challenge in November and the Top Prospects event this week.
The Prospects Game on Wednesday was sandwiched between two straight weekends of three games in three nights. The Pats are slated to hit the road for games Friday and Saturday -- against the Medicine Hat Tigers and Swift Current Broncos, respectively -- before returning home Sunday to meet the Saskatoon Blades.
"It does get tiring as the season wears on," added Eberle, who's eligible for the 2008 NHL entry draft. "But you look back and just go, 'Wow, it has gone by so quick.' You try not to worry too much about how many games you've played. You just go out and play."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008