THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

Happy Wednesday everybody!

The Regina Pats are hot. The club won their 3rd straight game on Tuesday night, 6-2 at the Medicine Hat Tigers. The team has improved to 4-3-0-0 and their goal scoring woes are behind them. For a third straight game the Pats have scored at least 5 goals. They have 17 goals in their last three wins compared to just four goals in their first four contests. A pretty good turnaround.

Adam Brooks has led the way with 9 points in his last three games, 4 of them goals and is leading the team after not recording a point in the first four contests. Sam Steel is close behind with 8 points and was unbelievable last night in Medicine Hat. He scored a beauty goal in the third and then made a great pass to set up Adam Brooks on the powerplay later in the frame and was named the games first star.

The powerplay has turned a corner as well. In the last two games it has gone 5 for 10. The penalty kill has scored shorthanded in two straight and is 9 for 11 over that span.

Wednesday night the Pats will look for their 4th straight win when they take on the Hurricanes in Lethbridge at 7 o’clock on 620 CKRM.

What a beautiful new rink in Medicine Hat. The Canalta Centre is impressive in every way. There is still some work to be done for the building to be completed but even now it’s an incredible junior rink. I took some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Really impressive. Such a different feel from the old Medicine Hat Arena. Has a big city vibe now.

– The Regina Thunder are into their preparations for the start of the playoffs on Sunday at home to the Calgary Colts at 1 o’clock. The Thunder finished the regular season with a 6 and 2 record, good for 2nd in the PFC. The Colts went 5 and 3 for 3rd place. The Thunder won the lone regular season match up 30-20 in the second last week of the year. The other PFC semi will see the 7 and 1 Saskatoon Hilltops host the 4 and 4 Winnipeg Rifles. The two winners will play for the PFC Championship and the chance to host the 2015 Canadian Bowl.

– The Toronto Blue Jays have clawed their way back into their ALDS and will host game 5 today. Marcus Stroman gets the start against Cole Hamels of the Rangers. The bats have finally come alive after the first two games of the series. The hitters were much more patient in games 3 and 4 and put together some great at bats. I was down in the dumbs after game 2 but they have a real good chance at advancing tonight.

– The other ALDS is going to game 5 as well today. Houston and Kansas City. The Astros had the series wrapped up on Monday bit gave away a 4 run lead in the 8th. I don’t see Houston bouncing back from that and I will put my money on the Royals advancing.

– The National League Divisional Series have been so good as well. Was so happy to see the St. Louis Cardinals eliminated in Chicago yesterday by the Cubs. So tired of them and the Giants trading years to win the World Series. I think the Cubs are the team to beat in the National League.

– The Mets and Dodgers are headed for a game 5 on Thursday and what a pitching matchup it will be. Zach Greinke for Los Angeles and Jake deGrom for New York. Can’t pick a winner in that one but so looking forward to watching the game.

That’s all I have for today.

Have a great week and talk to you from Lethbridge tonight!

Phil
@PhilTheThrill18