THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

It’s a big weekend of sports in my world coming up, so here are some thoughts on the days to come:

1) The Regina Pats are 3-0 in the preseason heading into a home and home weekend with the Brandon Wheat Kings which starts Friday on the road. The team has looked promising in the opening three games. Chase Harrison and Austin Wagner have come back looking much improved. I really like Russian defenceman Sergey Zborovsky and what he has done in the early going.

2) There are four 16 year olds still with the Pats heading into the final two weeks of the preseason. They are forwards Sam Steel, Jacob Elmer, Luc Smith and defenceman Ryan Krushen. Steel has put up 7 points in two preseason games and has looked beyond his years. Jacob Elmer has scored twice in two games-played, Luc Smith has an assist and showed off his physicality in his lone game of the preseason. Krushen has an assist and is a plus three in 2 gamesplayed. Senior VP and Head Coach John Paddock said on Tuesday that Sam Steel will make the team and that all four guys look capable of playing in the league this year. Whether or not that happens is yet to be seen.

3) The Pats’ defence corps are pretty well set as of right now in terms of numbers. Kyle Burroughs, Colby Williams, Chase Harrison, Brady Reagan, Isaac Schacher, James Hilsendager, Sergey Zborovsky and Ryan Krushen. That makes eight with Carter Hansen practicing as a defenceman this week which makes the possibility of night. Kyle Burroughs could miss the start of the season at the New York Islanders training camp so I doubt there will be any defencemen cut before the regular season starts, if at all. Barring a trade of course.

4) There are eight forwards with the Pats that were not on the team last year. That’s where the competition is at its highest with the team. Darcy DeRoose (19), Luc Smith (16), Kyle Westeringh (18), Jared McAmmond (17), Rykr Cole (17), Dane Schioler (18), Colton Kroeker (17) and Jacob Elmer (16) are all looking to among the new faces in 2014/15. There are 12 returning forwards including Sam Steel who spent the end of last year with the club. In years past the team kept 14 or 15 forwards once the season gt underway. Some very tough decisions ahead. I’m glad I’m not the one making them.

5) The goaltending battle is between Daniel Wapple, Dawson MacAuley and Tyler Fuhr. My guess is that Fuhr will be the back-up with either Wapple of MacAuley as the starter. The remainder of the preseason and likely the start of the regular season will determine that.

6) The Pats are going to play with a lot of speed this year if practice is any indication.

7) On to football, the Regina Thunder are back at it this weekend after their bye week. They will play the Hilltops for the second time, this one on the road in Saskatoon. The game is Saturday night at 7:00. The Thunder are looking to make it four straight wins over their provincial rivals dating back to last year. Two of those wins came on the road. A big game for both teams who sit 1-1 on the year. The Thunder are ranked 3rd in Canada while the Hilltops are 5th.

8) No word yet on if Jaeden Marwick or Spencer Mack will start at QB on Saturday for the Thunder.  Marwick suffered an injury late against Edmonton in Week 2 and did not return.

9) The Thunder seem to have found a star in running back Colton Klassen. The rookie out of Saskatoon ran for 80 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in just a half of work.

10) What a win for the Riders in Labour Day Classic 48. That was by far the best game in the CFL so far this season in my opinion. Hopefully the Banjo Bowl brings that same excitement. Will be tough to beat the Bombers three times but the Riders are playing great football.

11) Loved the ovation for Weston Dressler on Sunday. He looked good in his return to the CFL. It’s really cool to see him back in Green and White.

12) The Riders have won 6 in a row but sit 2 points back of Calgary for tops in the West. I can’t wait until the Riders start playing the Stampeders and Eskimos as the season goes on. Hard to say which team is best in the CFL when they haven’t played each other.

13) The NFL season kicks off with a dandy Thursday night as the Seattle Seahawks host the Green Bay Packers. Scruffy and I have been at odds all week as our respective teams are playing in the game. If the Packers lose Friday it will not be a fun day here at Harvard Broadcasting. I’m confident though that Aaron Rodgers will come through. Madden did pick the Packers to be in the Super Bowl after all.  Like that matters.

14) Too bad seeing Canadians Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard bounced from the US Open on Monday. I want to see both win a grand slam one day.

15) Only 28 days to the start of the NHL season!!!

That’s it from me today, have a great week.

Phil 
@PhilTheThrill18 


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