THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS
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| Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews |
Some thoughts from Medicine Hat on this Wednesday:
1.) The WHL trade deadline day was quite uneventful. At the end of the day the Pats and Raiders made the biggest moves early and there were not a lot of buyers for other teams’ top players. I think the Calgarys, Edmontons, Everetts, Seattles and Victorias thought it better to hang on to draft picks and young players than to trade to try and get to the same level as the league’s top teams. It would almost be impossible to look as good as the Kelowna Rockets do on paper in the West and Medicine Hat and Brandon are the class of the East. I thought going in that Moose Jaw would be able to trade 20-year-olds Jack Rodewald and Tanner Eberle but that didn’t happen. Was an interesting year for sure.
2.) I really like the first few games for the Pats’ new acquisitions. Connor Hobbs has displayed great skating and a bomb of a shot. Taylor Cooper broke out offensively on Saturday with a hattrick and an assist while Jake Leschyshyn looked beyond his age of 15 in his first two games in the WHL.
3.) Adam Berg will play tonight when the Pats take on the Medicine Hat Tigers. Head Coach John Paddock said last week it wasn’t in the cards for him to join the club but that has changed in the last few days and Berg will make his WHL debut tonight. (8:00 pm on 620 CKRM).
4.) I expect both goaltender Daniel Wapple and defenceman Chase Harrison will return from injury tonight.
5.) It will be really weird seeing Kyle Burroughs and Dryden Hunt wearing different colors tonight. Hunt has a goal and 3 assists in three games with the Tigers and Burroughs has 3 assists and is a plus three. The Pats will also see former teammate Connor Gay on this trip in Red Deer. Gay had 2 goals and 2 assists in 2 games with the Rebels.
6.) On to some football: The division playoffs went as I expected. The New England Patriots pulled out a big win over Baltimore. Down by 14 twice in the game but Tom Brady was Tom Brady. I thought the Indianapolis Colts had the edge with the injured Peyton Manning and that sets up a darn good AFC championship with the Pats. In the NFC the Seahawks were no doubt in control in the win over Carolina. For the Packers it was a little more dicey against the Cowboys. A lot has been made over the catch called back by Dez Bryant that gave Green Bay the game. I’m a Packer fan and even I think that rule needs to be looked at. The refs called it right by the book but I think we can all agree that was a catch.
7.) I can’t believe the Broncos fired head coach John Fox. Yes they are calling it ‘mutual’ but I don’t get it. Fox led them to 40 plus wins in his tenure and a Super Bowl appearance. His star quarterback was inured … can’t blame it on him I don’t think.
8.) The Raptors are on a bit of a slide, losing to Detroit on Monday. They will pull out of it I think but they need Demar DeRozan back big time. I can’t wait until the NBA playoffs.
9.) The NCAA National Championship was a let down with Ohio State hammering Oregon 42-20. I expected a lot better but how good was the buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliot? 246 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. What a performance.
10.) Oh boy my Leafs are struggling… 3 points back of Boston for the final wild card spot in the playoffs. I don’t see things getting turned around. Another lackluster average year without a high draft pick and likely no post season. Could be worse I guess…
That’s it from me today, talk to you from Medicine Hat tonight on 620 CKRM. Pregame show starts at 7:35 Regina time.
Be sure to check out tonight’s episode of Pats TV on Access 7 at 6:30. My guests this week are defencemen Connor Hobbs and Nathyn Mortlock plus a real good sit down with goaltender Daniel Wapple.
Have a great week!
Phil
@PhilTheThrill18
It would appear that the GMs in Toronto and not the coaches are the problem. Both teams better look higher up for the main problems. Both are lousy teams, player wise
Connor Hobbs is a far from a good skater. Great shot though…if he would hit the net. I think he's going to turn out to be a really good player in a year or 2.
I was not at the game Friday night but caught the game Saturday. Jake Leschyshyn looked very much out of place. There are not many 15 year olds that would not look out of place playing against much older kids though. He was just really weak and had trouble keeping up but that will come in time.
With regard the NCAA final, the dual attack of having running back Ezekial Elliot and also having a QB who is 6'5" 250 pounds, that would wear down any defence. The other problem was that Ohio State also had great receivers. The passes weren't short, but all long balls that stretched the defence. If you have a stretched defence, then there is not enough upfront to stop what turned out to be a lethal attack on the ground. As for the Oregon Ducks, in such a close game you can not afford those few dropped balls early in the game… Read more »
not sure what poster 2 is on about Hobbs skating… Hobbs is a far better skater then Burroughs ever was, maybe you think he isn't a good skater due to how he carries the puck so far out infront of him.
As for him hitting the net on his shots ummm I think you need to go back and order the webcast and watch the game again as well as the Oil Kings game. The kid has a bomb from the point as a 17yr old and keeps it low
Spot on!
Leafs are averaging 22 shots against since Horachek took over.
Problem is, they can't generate offence now. The good teams can defend, push the pace, generate offence and initiate contact.
80% of the NHL is nowhere close to St.Louis, Chi, Nash, Ana, LA, Pitt, etc.
Exactly, I watched 2 out of first 3 games live that Hobbs played, and was amazed how good he skates.
Phil makes me want to bid on a Cow or a used Combine. All kidding aside love your pats call phil. Bright future Thrill!!
Byob
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