THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

It’s been a rough few days for me with the news that my good friend Billy Johnston was killed in Saskatoon over the weekend. One of the most kind hearted and fun loving guys I’ve ever met and he will be missed. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

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Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

– I can’t tell you how proud I was sitting in Brandon after the Regina Pats lost out in five games to the Wheat Kings on Friday night. Talk about a 180 in emotion from a year previous when Brandon swept the Pats out of the playoffs. This year the team gave absolutely everything they had and gave the Wheat Kings all they could handle. From the play of Daniel Wapple to guys like Carter Hansen and Nathyn Mortlock who played the best hockey in a Pats uniform, it was truly impressive. They are a hungry group for next season, the future is bright here in the Queen City.

– The three graduated players from this season were so vital in the run. Braden Christoffer, Patrick D’Amico and Pavel Padakin all had fantastic years and it’s too bad they can’t be around for the future. However bigger things are coming for all three who I have no doubt will be playing pro next year. Bon voyage to some truly great people and great Regina Pats.

– I’m taking solace in the fact that this will be the shortest off-season for the Pats in 14 years.

– The Regina Pat Canadians are off to a roaring start at the Telus Cup. The Pat C’s are two and oh and have out scored their opponents 12-2 in those games. Regina Pats prospect Riley Woods is second in tournament scoring with 5 points, one back of his teammate Owen Sillinger. They are calling the Pat C’s the favorites in the tournament and wouldn’t it be awesome to see them win a record 5th national title. The last time was in 1999 when current head coach Brad Herauf was a player with the team. Kind of has that Kent Austin type story to it.

– There are four other Pats prospects taking part in the tournament as apart of the UFA Bisons. The Bisons lost their first game of the tournament but won in convincing fashion yesterday 7-1 over Albatros du College Notre-Dame. The Pats 9th round pick in 2014 Gary Haden had a goal and two assists in the game. List defenceman Trygve Many Guns, (might be the best name in hockey) scored a goal and added an assist while goaltender Kurtis Chapman, the Pats 7th round pick in 2013 stopped 28 of 29 shots faced. Zachary Cox is the 4th prospect, a 9th round pick in 2014, and he was kept off the scoresheet in this one but scored in the tournament opener. The Bisons take on the Pat Canadians today at 2 PM Regina time.

– The WHL Conference championships get started on Friday night. Calgary is in Brandon and Portland visits Kelowna. Portland is in its 5th straight Western Conference Final but I don’t see them getting to their 5th straight league championship. It’s Kelowna’s turn, they’ve only lost one game all playoffs. Meanwhile the regular season best team in Brandon takes on the Hitmen. It’s hard to pick this one. The Wheat Kings goaltending has been so good in the playoffs while Calgary’s hasn’t quite been to that level. A lot will depend on how healthy Brandon will be for the series because if they are still without Jayce Hawryluk and Rihards Bukarts then the Hitmen have a good chance at winning. I’m going to take Brandon in 7 but this one is a toss up.

– The Prince Albert Raiders extended head coach Marc Habscheid for four seasons yesterday. He did a heck of a job late in the season with that team and they made a push for a playoff spot. He’s always been good to me and I’m glad he is sticking around. Good to see the Pats all time scoring leader Dale Derkatch will spend at least another year as the Director of Player Personnel as well.

– The NHL playoffs are the best and I have a few thoughts.

1.) I can’t believe Winnipeg is down 3-0 after lead each game after two periods. Kudos to the Anaheim Ducks who have been unbelievable in the comebacks. The Jets have trailed for a total of 13 minutes in the first three games and could be eliminated tonight. Unreal.

2.) Who would have thought the only reason the Pittsburgh Penguins are in their series with the New York Rangers is because of Marc-Andre Fleury considering his recent struggles in the post season. The Penguins need more from Malkin and Crosby if they have any chance of moving on. Oh and they need to take less penalties.

3.) What is it about St. Louis and losing road playoff games. It’s something like 9 in a row away from home in the post season. Whats worse this year is that unlike in the previous two years they didn’t lead 2-0 after their home games. Minnesota is a good team, they are going to round 2 in my opinion.

4.) The Vancouver Canucks are once again the team to hate in my opinion. Sore losers. Calgary is doing a heck of a job getting under their skin and I hope they move on. Only one win away from doing so after last nights 3-1 win at the Scotiabank Saddledome. One positive for Vancouver is that Ryan Miller looked really good after replacing Eddie Lack to start the 2nd. The one thing I don’t understand is why the Sedins aren’t getting a lot of ice time. They are the Canucks best players and get less than 18 minutes a night. I’m no coach but hard to figure that one out.

5.) I thought Ottawa had a fighting chance against Montreal considering their run to finish the year. But the Habs are just too good. Andrew Hammond didn’t start game three after a lackluster first two games in the series, things are crumbling in the capital city after some good close games that resulted in losses. How about Dale Wiese with both Montreal goals in game three including the OT winner. He is money in the playoffs.

6.) I watched my first game in the Predators and Blackhawks series last night. I don’t have much comment except that Scott Darling is a massive goaltender and that the Hawks look dangerous. They could very will be back in the Cup Final if they get the goaltending.

7.) I was pretty confident Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals would go on to eliminate the New York Islanders in round 1. It’s been so tight and I’m not as confident anymore. The Caps got a huge OT win last night to tie the series 2-2. This one is going the distance in my mind, two very evenly matched teams.

8.) The Detroit Red Wings are the Detroit Red Wings. You can never count them out in the playoffs. Tampa Bay lost one of its first two home games and then lost on the road last night 3-0. Only 43 total shots on goal in the game and Peter Mrazek stopped all 22 he faced for Detroit. The lighting were the highest scoring team in the regular season but are in tough it seems against the Wings.

– The Regina Thunder open their spring training camp next weekend. Football season is almost here for the 2013 National Champions.

– The NBA Playoffs are on. Toronto lost game 1 at home in OT and played game 2 last night and lost again to Washington. I don’t understand why there was 3 days off in between games in the same city. But for the Raptors they haven’t shown up in this series at all. They are in a world of hurt as the series shifts to Washington.

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

Phil
@PhilTheThrill18