THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

The Pats let a point slip away Tuesday night in Medicine Hat against the Tigers when Markus Eisenschmid scored with 15.6 seconds left to make it 4-4, forcing OT and then a shootout where the Tigers got the win. Though when you look at the entire game I think it’s quite a positive to get the point on the road.

The way the game started, the Pats were on their heels and if not for the heroics of Daniel Wapple they could have been down and out. The Tigers led the shots 17-5 after 1 but trailed 1-0 on the scoreboard. The Pats turned it around after that and led 3-1 early in the third and 4-3 later on in the period. Shaun Clouston took his timeout 1:01 into the 3rd after the Pats had scored twice in 13 seconds and led 3-1. That turned the tide a bit and the Tigers got even. Pats captain Braden Christoffer played an unbelievable game and gave the Pats the lead 1:20 after Medicine Hat tied it up and almost won it in overtime but it wasn’t to be. It was one heck of a hockey game that’s for sure. Had that playoff feel.

– Now the Pats turn their sights to the Swift Current Broncos who will visit the Brandt Centre on Friday night. The Pats are 12 points ahead of the Broncos in the East Division for home ice in the first round. It’s looking more and more like it will be a Regina-Swift Current first round matchup. The Broncos lost on Tuesday at home to Prince Albert 2-1 and are 25-24-1-4 on the year. The Moose Jaw Warriors and Prince Albert Raiders are both 9 points back of Swift for a playoff spot in the East Division, they are also 9 points back of Kootenay for the final wild card spot in the conference.

– The Pats are 2-4-0-0 against the Broncos on the season but are 2 and 1 against them at the Brandt Centre. A win for the Pats Friday would extend their lead to 14 points but a loss drops in to 10 with 17 games left on the season. Probably the biggest game of the season to date for the two teams.

– An interesting stat when it comes to the division standings: before the Pats traded Morgan Klimchuk, Dryden Hunt, Kyle Burroughs and Dryden Hunt they had a 9 point lead over Swift in the division. Since then they have extended that to 12 points.

– Austin Wagner is alone in 3rd in short handed goals in the WHL with 4. The Winterhawks Oliver Bjorkstrand and the Tigers Cole Sanford are the only two players with more with 6. Sam Steel leads all rookies with 2 shorties this year.

– The Pats will hope to have Taylor Cooper back for Friday. Adam Brooks could be a little ways away from returning yet. I imagine we will see another call up for the game up front. Whether that is Jake Leschyshyn or Erik Gardiner or Jacob Elmer again we will see.

When you look at those three guys and the rest of the players who have a chance to make next year’s roster… wow some tough decisions. With Riley Woods having a great season with the Regina Pat Canadians, Adam Berg’s success, Leschyshyn, Elmer and Gardiner, on top of all the young guys already here… Will Liam Finlay and Liam Schioler decide to make Regina home? Will be an interesting training camp later this fall.

– I have heard rumblings that some NHL clubs are interested in Patrick D’Amico. He’s having a great season and would be really cool to see him get rewarded for it with some type of contract.

—

– A big congrats to former Regina Thunder and Saskatchewan Roughrider practice roster linebacker Brandon Whitehouse who will be attending a CFL exclusive regional combine ahead of the 2015 draft. It will take place in Edmonton on March 23rd.

– I really like the Winnipeg Jets’ return on Evander Kane and Zach Begosian in their trade with the Buffalo Sabres. I think Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford will really thrive in Winnipeg, boslters their roster for a playoff push and also improves the future as well. Good trade. Buffalo is set to tank, Kane is hurt plus they traded away their starting goalie Jonas Enroth. McDavid will be a Sabre come this summer. He and Sam Reinhart will be rookies playing in Buffalo next year. They still need a goalie though.

– Will be very interesting to see what the Leafs do ahead of the trade deadline. Kessell, Phaneuf, Fransen all see to be in play. Trade them all I say.

– Anyone else excited for Major League baseball to get going? I sure am. Hoping the Jays can string together a good consistent season.

– I am finally coming to believe that Tiger Woods may never get it together again. I know a lot of people have thought that for a long time but I was holding out hope. Now another back injury and two incredibly bad tournaments and my favorite golfer has fallen so far. it’s really too bad, regardless of his off the course problems. He is one of the best and it’s tough to see it happen how it has for Woods. Go Graham DeLaet!

That’s it for me today, have a great week, talk to you from the rink on Friday night.

Phil
@PhilTheThrill18