Battle In The East Division

[CrazyGeorge]

When you look up and down the east division standing there are 4 teams all in a playoff positon (Regina, Moose Jaw, Brandon, Swift Current). All teams at the current moment are all in a realistic position to claim the East Divison title and probably resulting in second place in the conference. Before I go on further, I am open to your opinions, it's just what I mention is in the end, just my opinion.

For me personally, I follow the Broncos and try my best to keep up with the team and developments and such. Each of the four teams mentioned, like I said earlier, are all in a position that either could grab the east title but only one team can. Who will that be (realisticly and unbiased)? When looking at each team specifically(goaltending, defense, forwards, special teams, and overall team makeup), there are strengths and weaknesses of course, like all teams. Considering these four teams only, I am wondering what their strengths are, weaknesses, and why they will or why they won't capture the east division crown. I've pondered this question for a while, I have my thoughts but I'm curious what others think. Maybe this thread needs to be on the league section perhaps I'm not sure.

I am a huge Broncos fan but I've been able to catch several Regina games and have a general opinion. Of the four teams, I think Rowat may be the best goaltender of the group but not by much (especially as of late in the Pats little slump they are in). I think their true strenght is on defense with guys like Teuburt, Bender, Pyett, Jackson, and Barley. You have guys like Pyett, Jackson, and Bartley that are strong on the PP and moving the puck as well as steady stay at home dmen in Teubert and Bender (matching up against teams top lines come playoffs perhsps?). The Pats forwards have a strong element of veteran leadership with guys like Watt, Doucett, McAgnus, Krause, Elder. The strenght up front is the Eberle/Krause/McAgnus line. I think come playoffs if teams key on, and they probably will, that line especially Eberle then that takes away a key component in gaining much offense. Their PP and PK have been close to the top but of all four teams considered, each have a pretty solid PP and PK. Overall, after the deadline Regina did get added leadership which is great come playoofs but I strongly believe if teams key on Eberle and that top line, then Regina will be lacking in the goal scoring area.

I don't know too terribly much about Brandon but I do know they have a pretty potetant forward group. I won't make comments on their defense because I don't know much about their players. I do recall they have two solid lines and can score with the best of them. Their goaltending, from what I can remember, were hoping to be addressed come the deadline but not much happened in this area. The biggest thing I worry about is their overall offensive capabilities.

Moose Jaw has two solid lines in Bast's line and Riley H's line. Each consists of size and strong offensive punch. I do recall MJ go Ellerby and Wishurt which helps with their defensive core alot. Overall though, Mj is a big team but not a strong skating team which could bite them in the butt especially against faster teams like Swifty for example. Joey P in my opinion is very up and down. If he can become consistent then MJ could make some noise.

Now for Swifty. I'm going to try and not be biased. State my facts and that. I've been following the Broncos for as long as I can remember. This year is special especially now after the deadline. A pretty solid (not stellar but solid) goaltending tandum in Yonkman and Guggenberger (something like that), definite upgrade on d with the additions of Stemllar and Dudas, great depth at forward and great overall team speed. With the additions of Stemlar and Dudus it they added elements of grit, leadership, and solid defensive/offensive instincs. I don't believe we have the best defense of the four teams but those two defently were an upgrade. Our strength is our depth at forward and overall team speed. Wudrick/Eakin/Dowling AND Tassone/Nelson/Dansereau AND Felde/Smith/Weise make up a great three line combination that the coaching staff can put uo in all situations against any line I think. The fourth line is pretty good too in Dalecky/Steiler/Hoban.

I am a broncos fan and I do feel the Broncos have a solid chance to get the east title but when push comes to shove ladies and gentle, all four teams are pretty damn good and who ever finishes first will be a good choice regardless.

[Broncs in RD]

Starting goaltending Edge to Regina, then Swift, Moose Jaw, then Brandon.
1-2 punch in Net Edge to Swift, Regina, Brandon, Moose Jaw.
Offensive D- Regina, Swift, Moose Jaw, Brandon
Defensive D-Moose Jaw, Swift, Brandon, Regina

Top Line-Brandon, Regina, Swift, Moose Jaw
2nd Line-Moose Jaw-Swift-Brandon-Regina
Third Line- Swift-Brandon-Regina-Moose Jaw
Forth Line-Brandon-Swift-Moose Jaw-Regina

Speed-Swift-Brandon-Regina-Moose Jaw

Tougness-Moose Jaw-Regina-Brandon-Swift

PP-Regina-Brandon-Swift-Moose Jaw

PK-Moose Jaw-Swift-Brandon-Regina

Coaching-Brandon-Regina-Swift-Moose Jaw

This is the way I would break it down IMO. Going into the playoffs You have to rely on Third and forth line scoring that is where the Broncos may have the edge the way Wudrick, Eakin and Dowling are playing we can roll 4 pretty offensive lines unlike years past when we had a Top heavy line a OK line then ......well really nothing after that. We have 2 top end lines a third line that is dominant right now and a forth that can handle their own. Our D has sure tightened up with Stamler and Dudas. We have 2 really offensive Dmen, 3 Stay at home Dmen and Dudas who is both.

[sbtatter]

Goaltending Edge to Regina, MJ, SC, Brandon.
Defence Regina, MJ, Bdn, SC
Forwards SC, Regina, Bdn, MJ
Speed-Swift-Brandon-Regina-Moose Jaw
Tougness-Moose Jaw-Regina-Brandon-Swift
Experience Regina-MJ-SC-Brandon
PP-Regina-Swift-Brandon-Moose Jaw
PK-Moose Jaw-Swift-Brandon-Regina
Coaching-Brandon-MJ-Swift-Regina

Here's my take on the division, I expect it to end up Regina, MJ, SC, Bdn. I just hope we don't play Calgary in the first round......

[Toswammi]

Alot of this will come down to the schedule too.

For example i don't know if ppl have picked up on this. But the last weekend of season sees all 8 playoff teams in home and home action.
SC vs MJ
REG vs BRN
Koo vs CAL
MH vs LET

If thing stay this tight that could be a factor as well.

[FIVE FOR FIGHTING]

I think you can analyse the hell out of this but there are way too many intangibles. The home and home between MJ and Regina this weekend is huge for the Broncos. WE need a sweep by MJ as we have four games remaining against them and none against Regina.

[CrazyGeorge]

The Broncos remaining 16 games:

- 5 Games agaisnt Eastern Division Playoff Teams
(3 @ home against MJ, 1 away at MJ)
(1 @ home agaisnt Brandon)
- 2 Games against Eastern Division Non-Playoff Teams
(1 game away at Prince Albert)
(1 game away at Saskatoon)
- In total leaving 7 of the remaining 16 games against teams in our own division.

- 6 Games against Central Division Playoff Teams
(1 game away at Lethbridge)
(1 game @ home against Calgary, I game away at Calgary)
(1 game @ home against Kootney, 1 game away at Kootney)
(1 game @ home against Medicine Hat)
- 1 Game against Central Division Non-Playoff Teams
(1 game away at Red Deer)
- In total leaving 7 games of the remaining 16 games against teams in the central division

- No games remaining against the US Divison but 2 games remaining agains the BC Division
(1 @ home against Kamloops)
!1 @ home against Chilliwack)

Grand Total, we have 9 home games and 7 Road Games.
(3 games against non playoff teams).

It is nice that we are playing our two remaining games against Calgary pretty soon seeing our team is on a hot streak as of late and we'll need to be at our best to compete with Calgary which I think we can and will.

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

10 days ago I would have bet the farm on Regina winning the East and finishing second behind Calgary. Now we are ahead of them and have games in hand. (The East gets second seed in first round only) Anyone know if there is some internal problem with the chemistry or what? Also Swift is the hottest team. Do they have a realistic chance at first in the East?

All the so called experts are giving the Hitmen first pretty much hands down. We however have 2 games in hand and play them twice more also. Win those four and we are only """"1 point back""""". We are 3-1 vs them this year and match up well so the 2 games with them are very realisitcally within our reach.

Who in the Central do you guys fear the most? Even though Regina has slid, they beat us 2-1 after the trades and looked great so I don't want to meet them. Big and tuff.

[sbtatter]

Calgary are the best team I've seen in the dub this year, hands down. Don't want to play them first round. Don't want to play Lethbridge b/c they seem to match up well against us, same with med Hat. Not bothered by anyone else, I think they would be decent, close series against the likes of SC, MJ. Koot I think we have a handle on, regina, we'd be huge underdogs, but I'd like the chance to beat that big talking team!!!!

[hobster]

Swift is the best team i have seen in the east div this season by far, there speed is insane. I can't believe Felde doesn't ave more goals the guy is nuts. They have a remarkable transition game and they draw alot of penalties with there speed, im calling Swift to go far in the playoffs.

[sbtatter]

The great thing for us, RD, PA, MH and Saskatoon is that MJ, Regina and SC have decided to go for it all this year, leaving us 4 to look strong the next 2 seasons!! Going to be a hugely entertaining playoff in the Eastern Conference this year!!

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

10 days ago I would have bet the farm on Regina winning the East and finishing second behind Calgary. Now we are ahead of them and have games in hand. (The East gets second seed in first round only) Anyone know if there is some internal problem with the chemistry or what? Also Swift is the hottest team. Do they have a realistic chance at first in the East?

All the so called experts are giving the Hitmen first pretty much hands down. We however have 2 games in hand and play them twice more also. Win those four and we are only """"1 point back""""". We are 3-1 vs them this year and match up well so the 2 games with them are very realisitcally within our reach.

Who in the Central do you guys fear the most? Even though Regina has slid, they beat us 2-1 after the trades and looked great so I don't want to meet them. Big and tuff.

The pats need to learn to play with the same intensity no matter what team they play. They need to play saskatoon and red deer the same way they play against calgary or Brandon. In those 3 games, the pats got into early penalty trouble and then could not rebound back. They eased off the other team on the physicality, which is our game. We need to learn to battle through the officiating, if its bad or not, and we gotta stick to our game.

No chemistry problems or anything, though some players arent pulling their weight as much as they should. Guys like Depape and Kraus need to step up a bit. I think that we can rebound back tonight against MJ (if we actually play them, i hear there is a huge blizzard and it mgiht be cancelled). The home and home series is huge for both teams, and we need to win at least one of them, if not both to stay in the race for the pennant.


As for the central, most might laugh when I say this, but out of all the central teams, the one that scares me the most is Kootenay. Calgary has exceptional size and defence, and Lethbridge has above average in just about everything, but if Kootenay plays 60 minutes, they can be really dangerous. They got better goaltending than CAL and LETH, a very skilled group of D, along with the most dangerous offence in the league. The fact that Maxwell is back will not only motivate the teammates more, but will make their offence more dangerous, especially their PP.

[CJSenterprise4]

Pats will take the division by 5 points in the end over the Jaw

[hobster]

Ya then you woke up :laugh:

[stick boy]

As a Broncos fan the Pats give us little worry unless they stop calling penalties in the playoffs. We match up very well with the Pats in my mind, they couldn't skate with us in their wildest dreams.

I am most fearful of the Hitmen, we have not played them well but are certainly a better club now than we were then.

A match-up with the Tigers would be fun, great crowds, and lots of speed. I think we can skate with them but we are bigger and stronger and could wear them down with our forecheck.

[CJSenterprise4]

makes it sound like the Pats are the slowest team ever assembled. They can skate when they want to and when the playoffs roll around and they are focused and skating and hitting not many teams stand a chance. If they would stop calling stronger players for pushing over smaller weaker players which they will in the playoffs the Pats should have no problem. Teams turn into the Ribiero special when they come to regina and are diving and laying on the ice all game b/c they know the refs hate the Pats and Parker

[stick boy]

Awe come on man, when the only fans who think your team can skate are your own, don't ya think ya might not be that swift.

No one said your the slowest ever assembled but you certainly can't skate with many of the contenders. Take Teubert for example he couldn't keep up with our third line let alone out first.

If we play ya in the playoffs I'll have the rink attendants windex the glass in visitors penalty box so he has a clear view of what real team speed looks like!

[wardog fan]

pats are overrated end of story, their slow and stole 2 pts from us tonight. our goalie killed us, we out shot , out hit and out played regina hands down... but i guess tommorrow night will be another game but i agree here the pats are not i repeat not a superteam, watt is a idoit and will haunt you guys all playoffs long... any team with a coach with a brain will target that loose cannon and he will sit all night long in the box.. hes a joke.. nice goal by eberle though wow.. damn perricone what a sieve tonight, he buried us and the team gets them back and take the lead and he blows it on a weak goal in the end and was a sieve in the shootout, i have no convidence in him right now we are screwed,.....

[wardog fan]

i like to comment on the comment made about big men pushing around lil men... what big men are you tlaking about >?lol all the pats look the same size and look like crazed lunatics.. again kraus was invisible , watt didnt do nothing but sit in the box and your soo called best defense gave up over 40 shots.. nice cup contender....

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

Its too bad, because apparently, this would be the only game the pats have played the warriors, and Perricone has not been amazing. A rarity in its own, being that he usually saves his best for the pats.

I hate shootout wins, and tis unfortunate that is the way it goes. But dont act like the pats fluked their way to the W. Perhaps in the majority of the game we were outplayed, but it ended up a tie in the end, and we made our shots count. So we must have made it interesting at the very least, because its very unlikely all three goals were entirely perricone's fault. That, and all the powerplays you got must have had an impact on your shot count, so it looks like our PK did their job tonight, or our "overrated defence"

You say that Kraus was invisible once again, yet he got the 3rd star. He usually isnt a flashy guy, but he does alot of the little things right. He is the kind of guy you are usually surprised to see that he got 2 or 3 assists, being that he is always the setup guy. He could stand to shoot more, and was on fire a little while back when he did. A huge reason we had that long unbeaten streak was Kraus. Though I wont deny he isnt always very hard working.

He should hussle more, but he is still one of the smarter players on the team, and one of the best passers in the league. And Watt, well he plays his game well, and can be a good agitator. Underrated skills as well. He has kept it clean so far as a pat, and concentrated on a clean power forward game. Hasnt been the loose cannon that he has been in the past. Im sure he did his part tonight against you guys.

Im not missing the game tommorrow, since the warriors will probably be looking for revenge. Should be a good game. Like to see Watt and Mclaren drop them, even if the odds are against Watt, I would like to see them go, being that they are both tough mofos.

How was the weather in moose jaw tonight? I thought that the game was going to be cancelled. It was pretty cold here. Better not be this way tommorrow.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

and waht is up with all the slow comments about the pats? We arent THAT slow. Sure, the tiny teams like the tigers and broncos are generally faster, but we are somehow making just as much noise, if not more than those teams. The pats arent as fast, but their physicality can tire out teams and then they become the faster of the two teams. We showed that against Vancouver, Brandon, AND swifty in those first few games we had agaisnt them around the deadline.

Right now, its all speculation, so we will have to wait to see how the pats do in the playoffs. I think Regina is long overdue for a contending playoff team, and I hope I can finally witness the world beyond the first round for the first time ever(missed last year, as some know). The odds say we should have some success, so Im getting excited about that.

[Flathead]

Sure, the tiny teams like the tigers and broncos are generally faster, but we are somehow making just as much noise, if not more than those teams..
The Pats are 6-3-0-1 in there last ten and have a one game winning streak going. Swift is 9-1 in there last ten and have a 8 game winning streak going and won the season series 4 games to 2. I don't think that's just as much or more noise.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

The Pats are 6-3-0-1 in there last ten and have a one game winning streak going. Swift is 9-1 in there last ten and have a 8 game winning streak going and won the season series 4 games to 2. I don't think that's just as much or more noise.

What about the 10 game unbeaten streak? I would consider that as making noise.

[stick boy]

The only noise coming from Pats-land is Parker flipping out, Roddy whining about how the refs are out to get his little Pats, and the penalty box door slamming with Watt and Teubert in it once again.

[Scout]

Well although Moose Jaw and Regina improved alot at the trade deadline, the team i fear the most is play-offs is Brandon. These guys unlike the other two contenders have speed. They have two very capable goalies and their defence is no push over. They have allowed the fewest goals against at 157 and are the least penalized team in the East so our powerplay would be ineffective. They also lead the East in goals for at 200. They are very well coached and their kidline is unreal. In a series against Swift Current, toughness would be a non factor in the series as both are sorta styled the same. They are very well coached and their powerplay is good. Both Swift and Brandon match up very close. In a seven game series both Regina and Moose Jaw could wear us down with their size but penalties could hurt them.

In the Central i would give it a tie between not wanting to meet Calgary or Lethbridge. Lethbridge is more styled like us but Calgary has all the tools to go all the way.

Scout

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

The only noise coming from Pats-land is Parker flipping out, Roddy whining about how the refs are out to get his little Pats, and the penalty box door slamming with Watt and Teubert in it once again.

Your right. We are all complaining for no reason at all. We deserve all those penalties and more, being that the credibility of the officiating outweighs that of parker. We should be happy about penalties.

[ointhecreek]

Your right. We are all complaining for no reason at all. We deserve all those penalties and more, being that the credibility of the officiating outweighs that of parker. We should be happy about penalties.
Glad to see you finally see the light! haha Just bugging ya, man.

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

Pats will take the division by 5 points in the end over the Jaw
Will they beat the Canes out though? I think it will come down to the last weekend.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

White board material isn't it? I realize you're getting frustrated with all the comments about Roddy's whining but not becoming of a mod is it? Or maybe you're not a mod.

They really arent bothering me. However, that doesnt stop me from calling someone out when they are being a jackass.

and unfortunately, I am not a mod. Though I would be the coolest Mod ever...no offence to the other mods of course. I would like to give it a try, but Im probably too rough around the edges to be one of the supervisors of posts.

[dagley]

The biggest thing I worry about is their overall offensive capabilities.

I hope your kidding. We led the WHL for a majority of the first half in goals, and right now we're second behind Calgary by only 7.

[Big Ern]

The biggest thing I worry about is their overall offensive capabilities.

I hope your kidding. We led the WHL for a majority of the first half in goals, and right now we're second behind Calgary by only 7.

One line.

[sbtatter]

One line.
Ha ha. I think you're joking. Which line? I was just looking at this today. Line one has 66 goals, line 2 has 56 goals, line 3 has 39 goals, the checking line has 14 goals. Line one averages 3.1 ppg, line 2 averages 2.9 ppg, line 3 averages 2.2 ppg, the checking line "only" averages 0.82 ppg. Probably the most balanced team for scoring in the East division, that's one of our huge strengths is that opposing teams don't know which one of the big 3 lines to check. The best news of all is that we only lose 2 of these 9 offensive threats next season, it's going to be goal crazy next year as they come of age....

[CJSenterprise4]

Will they beat the Canes out though? I think it will come down to the last weekend.

They don't have to beat the canes by 5 points...they aren't in the division. The canes will finish 3rd no matter what.