Race for a playoff spot.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

Hope the Pats don't get blown out

Well at least that didnt happen...


....

[scoreboard]

It didn't ? What game were you listening to.... 6-2, to me is a blow out.

For get it, the way the Regina Pats are playing this past month, they will keep droping in the standings.

Sorry to say it, but they will not make it in the play-offs. The boys just are not playing together as a team. As I mentioned before, to win a game it takes 60 minutes, something this team has not learned yet. Since the start of the Western Trip, the Pats record is - 8 Wins and 22 Loses.

If, they do make the play-offs, first they would have to play Calgary or Saskatoon. Second they would get knocked out four games to none. Third is it worth it !

***********

[wango tango]

the pats started out strong. holtby was the early difference, had the pats capitalized on their early chances it could have been a different game. though that seems to be a theme on the pats season so far.

when the pats are moving forward they are a dangerous team in the offensive zone, it's the getting back and playing in their own end where they are badly exposed. not enough competing. getting beat in races for the puck. losing battles in the corners and on boards.

defensemen i noticed in the blades game. teubert took many poor penalties. bartley was a liability. perrault couldn't get rid of the puck fast enough, even under the slightest pressure was very jittery.

having watched the pats, oil kings, and raiders a fair bit over the last month i'd say the pats are the best of the three and should get the 8th spot. probably an early exit at the hitmens hands.

[patsdude114]

Derkatch's philosophy with hunt's players.

Could of just left it at that lol


I really believe what has really hurt this team is the month of december when Eberle, Tuebert & Cerveny were all gone. No 1 was questioning the Pats up until the WJ tryouts started. We are what the 3rd or 4th youngest team in the league guys were playing minutes they werent ready for and struggled which has ultimately hurt their confidence level. Their confidence is still gone & not really sure if they will get it back at this point in the season, the games are getting tougher & tougher no matter who you play each game is a playoff type game.

Getting Delahey back will help tons, another vetern guy. I really feel guys like Czibere, Prokop & Mitchell have to step up. Prokop goes thru spurts the last 2 home games we had played Prokop was 1 of our best players, he was competeing & even hitting (something he isnt known for) with Prokop's size he should be hitting every shift, Prokop reminds me alot of Leffler when he was 17 & 18. Leffler took alot of shifts off every now & then he would be a force out on the ice but lack consistancy at times. This time of the year last season is when Leffler really found his own, hopfully Prokop can do the same.


I for 1 would love to see our LW's switch lines Robertson & Strueby... Strueby would give a bigger body on our 1st line, who isnt afraid to drive to the net & go into the corner's kind of like MacAngus was. Robertson would give line 2 a proven shooter/scorer with more finesse you still got Leffler (big strong winger) & in my eyes our best faceoff guy in Cerveny (who also has playmaking skills) Do i think Derkatch will make any line changes??? my honest answer to that is NOPE he is too stuck in his ways with having him most skilled players all play together no matter how big, errrr ummm i mean small they are.

I have no problems with Robertson, Weal & Eberle together on the PP but no need to keep them together for every single shift.

I am glad to see Perkins back working with the defence, maybe we will start to see guys blocking shots again.

This team needs a real make up call, not sure what that is just yet but something has to be done... somehow someway....... Maybe it takes benching your top player in Eberle for a period to send a message to the team. This team is running out of time on paper our team is much better then our record indicates but games arnt played on paper.

Maybe this weekends back to back home games against Edmonton & PA can turn the ship around. 2 wins against these teams will be huge in the standings, but 2 solid performances could be even bigger in the dressing room.



LETS GO PATS!!!

[CJSenterprise4]

Lets see... Delahey played well in his 1st game back. Eberle, Weal, Robertson played alright and thats about it.

The rest of the D were brutal and no one else really played that hard. I think the Pats had 4 hits all game and got outplayed by a better team that plays a complete 60 minute team game.

Teubert followed the Blades players back to Holtby yelling at them after the first goal by doodoozynski or whatever his name is. I have no clue what it was about but this guy is too slow and too much of a head case to be playing. He is just brutal.

Eberle's goal was a beauty - should be play of the week.

Holtby played well but Rowat can't stop anything then Ketlo didn't do much better and let in a terrible goal to really put it out of reach.

[Fight Guy]

Well, I don't really know what to say, but I'm sure it will turn into some massive post...lol.

When I heard this week Derkatch and Perkins were changing roles, I really thought that to be a good move. Our defense last season was much better, and we only lost two experienced defensemen in Bender and Pyett. You'd think a whole lot would change, but it's evident Derkatch taking over that role changed our defense too offensive. So as mentioned by patsdude, maybe we will see shots being blocked like last season, which I was very impressed by.

If I were the coach and wanted to see offense from the defense, I would only allow the players who are quick enough and experienced enough to take a good shot. This has obviously been a downer for us as at least once a game there is a goal scored due to lack of players playing back. Teubert isn't fast enough to be jumping up in the play. He has the skill, but it looks like he's moving in slow motion. If he wants to take a shot, he should do it from the blue line. He has a fair bit of success from the point. The only players I like to see jump up are Bartley, Dudas...and maybe Scarborough, as he can move the puck decently and has a decent shot, but he tends to make mistakes otherwise.

I'm not too sure I like Strueby on the top line. He has the skill and everything, but he is often offside when entering the zone, and as evidenced by last night, sounds like it happened a few times. I really liked when I saw Leffler play on the top line when Robinson went down the one game. He was able to make plays and had instant chemistry with Weal and Eberle. Plus he is that bigger body on the line to help make room for the little guys. Plus he has the skill to do damage on the line as well. I do like Robertson on there, but 5 on 5, I think Leffler is the better fit up front. I think the Pats need to use the backdoor play more around the net. The top line was very successful early on when using it, but I haven't seen it as of late. At least I don't think I have

I have to say Prokop has looked A LOT better as of late. He is working hard and creating chances. Perhaps he didn't like being on the bottom line and picked up his game?...I don't know, but he is sure showing his potential a lot more lately.

Czibere seems to be slacking it quite hard lately too. I think a possible reason could be a lack of confidence and care as he felt he was going to play a bigger role when he came into Regina. But he hasn't played as well explaining why he is playing on a bottom line. And if that is the case, then he has to suck it up and play his hardest and maybe he will see more ice time. Look at Prokop. He was playing on the lower lines and has shown a lot of hard work, and because of it, he is being put into the second, and sometimes first line during games.

It also seems quite evident that the Pats come in to their games with that confidence they need, and usually come out flying. If they aren't able to capitalize on the pressure and chances they get, and the opposing team goes and scores right after, then it seems their confidence is shot. Not sure what they can do about that, but if they want to make the playoffs, they will have to find a way to play hard even if they do go down a few goals.

I think that's it... Goaltending is still good, but Rowatt has been off his game the last few. I think Ketlo should get a few more starts here and there as they can't play Rowatt night in and night out. Sounds like he has been having trouble playing the puck behind the goal line lately.

But otherwise, that's all... I guess. Let's hope the Pats can come out hard this weekend. I still feel the Pats are capable of moving up the standings more than everyone says they will, whether it be 8th place or out of the playoffs, they just need to play better... and with saying that, it sounds like my internal CD player is skipping...

[patsdude114]

The only players I like to see jump up are Bartley, Dudas...and maybe Scarborough, as he can move the puck decently and has a decent shot, but he tends to make mistakes otherwise.

I would take Scarbrough out of that list and have only Bartley, Dudas & Delahey... Personally i think Delahey is the best skater out of those guys not taking anything away from Bartley & Dudas as they are as well.

Teubert though needs to keep his game simple he should know of all guys he is not a good skater. Him & Prokop would be a good race though.

I also think the Hrcina could be used alittle more too, as of lately though he has found a home on the 3rd line with Mitchell & Czibere/Prokop. Hrcina i believe could be a top line player if he would pass the puck just abit more. I Dont know if he doesnt pass the puck more cause of the skill level of guys he's playing with or if he just has tunnel vision. It seems though when he does get put out there with Cerveny he does pass the puck more.

I know things are going to turn around for this team, we got better players then our record states. I am hoping that this weekend is that turning block and gives the guys some more confidence, i am ready for tomorrow nights game, i want to see Delahey back on the ice so badly.

[patsdude114]

Lets see... Delahey played well in his 1st game back. Eberle, Weal, Robertson played alright and thats about it.

The rest of the D were brutal and no one else really played that hard. I think the Pats had 4 hits all game and got outplayed by a better team that plays a complete 60 minute team game.

Teubert followed the Blades players back to Holtby yelling at them after the first goal by doodoozynski or whatever his name is. I have no clue what it was about but this guy is too slow and too much of a head case to be playing. He is just brutal.

Eberle's goal was a beauty - should be play of the week.

Holtby played well but Rowat can't stop anything then Ketlo didn't do much better and let in a terrible goal to really put it out of reach.

Not trying to be a prick here but wow i have never seen u say anything positive about these kids, even when we win and play a good game all around you always have something to complain about.

[dondo]

Czibere seems to be slacking it quite hard lately too. I think a possible reason could be a lack of confidence and care as he felt he was going to play a bigger role when he came into Regina. But he hasn't played as well explaining why he is playing on a bottom line. And if that is the case, then he has to suck it up and play his hardest and maybe he will see more ice time.

I'm very disappointed to hear that as Mitch was one of those guys who showed up every game. He lacked a bit of skill at times, but was a solid contributer shift in and shift out. He's an excellent shut-down forward, but a lot of that came from his effort night in and out and if he's lost that then he knows he should be playing on the bottom line.

Mitch was a fan favourite here, and was PK specialist and great team player. He got ice-time because he worked for it and in Hay's system if you work you get rewarded --full-stop .. if that's how it is on the Pats then he should be working his butt off -- he knows how-- believe me.

I have to say that his season as a 16 yr old was probably his best as a Giant and he never really quite lived up to the potential he showed as a young up and comer. Hopefully he can turn it all around as he's a great guy and really does have a lot to contribute.

Come-on Mitch suck it up and play hard as you know how to do!! No excuses man!

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

To be fair, Pats dude, the way these guys are playing they dont really deserve a pat on the back. I cant say the same for every player, but some of these kids need a swift kick in the ass to get into the game.

Some guys like Teubert, Weal (at times), Czibere, Strueby and lately Rowat seriously need to get their heads in gear. I dont like putting Rowat on the spot, but to be blunt, his play has been brutal, not that he has had too much help infront on him. We especially need Teubert to step up, since he is a big part of our defence. We dont need him to score, we need him to be a rock defensively and make the defensive zone a scary place for the opposition.

And strueby needs to drive to the net. He all the sudden stopped going to the net, but when he was he was our top goalscorer. Take the punishment, and go for it. I hope he can put on some more weight next season and then he can play that power forward game easier.

But to be honest, its not really all about the performance of single players. Things arent going to really improve until we have better team defence. No, Im not talking about having 'the big names' all the time, but just having 5 guys on the ice who play well defensively and that play it safe when they have to.

I dont expect anything to happen over night. We are streaky in pretty much every area, so take what we can get. But playing a better defensive game as a team is the key to better performances. I know, its probably easier said than done, but if you take less risks, and tighten up...you take out those momentum deflating goals that come from carelessness, and then you might see a more confident and resilient group of players.