THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

A very Happy Holidays from this guy!

The Pats won their 20th game of the season Tuesday night in 32 tries, 6-5 in overtime at Brandon.  Let me say that again… 20 wins, they are just the 4th team in the WHL to reach that mark so far this year.

I don’t think there is one person on the planet that would have predicted that. It’s been a great first half but still one more to go tonight at home to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The Pats won their third straight game over the Brandon Wheat Kings last night. Connor Gay scored his 15th of the year and second OT winner with 1:26 left. The Pats trailed the game from 33 seconds in until the 16:55 mark of the third when Patrick D’Amico tied it up on the powerplay. Great game and a great win. Regina had won just twice in 5 years in Brandon going into this season, they have two wins there this year, with one last visit to come in January.

Sam Steel and Braden Christoffer are on offensive tears riding 8 game point streaks. Steel has 5 goals and 7 assists in that span while Christoffer has 5 goals and 6 assists.

There was no post Team Canada selection camp hangover for Morgan Klimchuk last night. The 19 year old scored a goal and added 2 assists in the win. Mitchell Blair brought up a question on Monday’s Sportscage as to whether or not Klimchuk would come back a little lackluster because of not making the team. He sure answered that last night in a big way.

Kyle Burroughs picked up his 100th career WHL point last night in Brandon.

Going back to Saturday in Saskatoon where the Past won 5-4, Jacob Elmer played in his first WHL game against the Blades and looked darn good. Exciting things are to come with the 16 year old. He’s got a ton of skill.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes visit the Brandt Centre tonight in the 3rd meeting of 4 between the two clubs. The Pats have won the first two. Will be interesting to see the Canes under new head coach Peter Anholt. They got a big win in Moose Jaw last night over the Warriors.

Slapshots 

1.) The Edmonton Oilers fired head coach Dallas Eakins on Monday. It was just a matter of time. However I kind of feel bad for the guy, didn’t have a lot to work with. Yes he had some skilled guys up front but on the back end and in goal it just isn’t good enough. Craig MacTavish and Todd Nelson are not the saving grace this team needs, it’s not a coaching issue. It’s some better players… Some better drafting in the later rounds would help too.

2.) So good to see former Regina Pats defenceman Brandon Davidson playing in the NHL with the Oilers. He has played in three games with 12:53 of ice time against New York and was a minus 1, 12:27 against Anaheim and then against 13:08 against Anaheim in the rematch and was a plus 1. All of those games were losses but he is getting a chance. A great story, even beyond the testicular cancer. He was an undrafted WHL player with the Pats, 6th round NHL draft pick and now finds himself on the big stage.

3.) The Saskatoon Blades got some good value for defenceman Nelson Nogier and forward Austin Adamson from the Red Deer Rebels. The Blades picked up 17 year old winger Mason McCarty and then the big ticket is the 1st round pick in 2016 and 2nd round pick in 2015. Nogier will get to play in his second Memorial Cup as the host team for the Rebels next season. Red Deer gets a good defenceman in the trade no doubt, though it has been a tough year so far for Nogier.

4.) The Chicago Bears are in a world of hurt. The Saints dominated at Soldier Field on Monday night in a 31-15 win. I don’t know what that team does going forward… Do you keep QB Jay Cutler because of his massive salary guarantee, or do you move on? Does Marc Trestman keep his job? Something has to give I know that.

5.) The NFC South division leader is the New Orleans Saints at 6 and 8. They could finish the year at 8-8 if they win out. They are home to Atlanta then in Tampa to close things out. 8-8 isn’t as embarrassing as a losing record to host a playoff game but it’s not great. I understand that most people argue that division leaders should host a playoff game but a single division shouldn’t be this bad. Not that there are bad teams, they just have been inconsistent.

6.) How about them Toronto Raptors??? I find myself watching them most nights. This team has been in first or tied for first in the Eastern Conference for 42 straight days, a franchise record. The defense has been so impressive over this stretch. Add to that the offense from Kyle Lowry and Lou Williams and it’s an exciting team to watch. Not to mention they are without maybe their best player in Demar DeRozan. This team is for real under Dwane Casey. One of the best stories of 2014.

Tonight’s Pats TV episode features Morgan Klimchuk and I sat down with team President Todd Lumbard to talk about 2014 and his transition into ownership of the Pats. 6:30 on Access 7.

That’s it from me today, talk to you from the rink tonight.

And a very Merry Christmas!

Phil 
@PhilTheThrill18