THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

What a game last night at the Brandt Centre as the Regina Pats got back into their second round series against the Brandon Wheat Kings with a 3-2 win. Here are some thoughts on the game from where I sat:

-Daniel Wapple was outstanding making 39 saves and was deservedly named the games 1st star.

-Was really good to see Jared McAmmond score his first career playoff goal to open the scoring for Regina. He scored his first ever regular season goal against the Wheat Kings as well.

– Connor Hobbs, Colby Williams, James Hilsendager, Carter Hansen and Nathyn Mortlock did a heck of a job filling in fore the suspended Sergey Zborovskiy and the injured Chase Harrison.

– Wheat Kings were without some top players in Jayce Hawryluk and Rihards Bukarts as well as Colton Walts. Not to mention Morgan Klimchuk who hasn’t played since game 3 of the first round. Will be interesting to see if any of those guys will be able to go for game 4 tonight at the Brandt Centre.

– Still no word from the WHL on the length of the suspension to Sergey Zborovskiy. Likely will correlate with the severity of Hawryluk’s injury and when he will be able to return.

– The Pats only took three penalties in game 3, that’s the recipe for success, Brandon’s powerplay is too good to give them more than that many oportunities.

– I thought the Pats were the aggressors physically in game 3, Connor Hobbs was a big part of that. Unlike the first game and parts of game 2 where the Wheat Kings seemed to have the edge in physical play.

– Can’t wait for tonight, the crowd was awesome in game 3. If you missed last night you have to be there for tonight.

Slap Shots

– The NHL playoffs start tonight, a great time to be a hockey fan. Two all Canadian matchups with Ottawa in Montreal and Vancouver home to Calgary. The Canadiens are the favorites against the Senators but I’m not counting out Ottawa who are the hottest team in the league heading in. Can Andrew Hammond out duel Carey Price? I don’t know. Should be a fun series. The Canucks and Flames should be a good one as well, experience against youth. I think that one could go the distance.

– Elsewhere Chicago is in Nashville for game 1. The Blackhawks will get Patrick Kane back for the game. A huge boost to an already dangerous team. I think Chicago pulls that series out but that being said the Predators had a great season.

– Washington will host the Islanders as well tonight. I’m getting excited just writting this. Alexander Ovechkin with another 50 plus goal season against John Tavares and New York. I think goaltending will be the difference with Brayden Holtby of the Capitals. Great match up though, came down to the final games to decide who would take home ice.

– I love the Toronto Blue Jays and they are off to a 4 and 3 start. But I’m not really in baseball mode yet. Hockey is all that matters right now.

– How about Jordan Spieth on the weekend at the Masters? Unreal performance. He played a great four days and really deserved the win. Was good to see the big names push him too. Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and the likes. They didn’t have much of a chance but it was fun to watch. I’m eating my words from last weeks column on Tiger Woods. I didn’t think he would even make the cut but finished a very respectable minus 5 for the tournament. He looks to be on the road to regaining some of the magic. Too bad the Canadians in the field couldn’t make any noise. We need Graham DeLaet back in there.

– The 2015 Regina Thunder schedule will come out later today so stay tuned for that. Training camp is coming up starting on May 1st as well. Another PFC season is almost upon us.

Tonight at 6:30 on Pats TV on Access 7, my guests include goaltending coach Rob Muntain and defenceman Carter Hansen.

Phil
@PhilTheThrill18