THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS
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| Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews |
Happy Wednesday everybody!
– The 2016 WHL post season is upon us! To say I am excited for Friday night would be an understatement. Today I want to break down the matchup between the Pats and the Hurricanes and take a look at the other series in the Eastern Conference so lets get right to it.
– PATS VS HURRICANES – If the regular season is any indication, this is shaping up to be an incredible exciting series. The Pats went 3-1-0-0 in the four meetings during the season series and outscored the Canes 24-19. The four games were nothing short of offensive slug fests, the two teams averaged a combined 10.75 goals per game.
As you can imagine the goaltending numbers are nothing to aspire too. The Hurricanes Stuart Skinner in 4 appearances went 1-2-0-0 with a 4.86 GAA and a .857 save percentage. Jayden Sittler in 2 appearances against Regina was 0-0-0-1 with a 6.47 GAA and a .850 save percentage. The Pats Tyler Brown meanwhile was 2-1-0-0 in the season series with a 5.20 GAA and a .880 save percentage. The numbers don’t necessarily reflect the play of the goalies however, the teams in front of them just gave up a ton of chances and if not for some massive saves, the two clubs would have combined for 20 plus goals a game. It’s been that wide open.
The Pats are led by Adam Brooks who has 10 points in four games against Lethbridge, Cole Sanford has 8 and Lane Zablocki 6. The Canes Brayden Burke has 13 points against the Pats and Tyler Wong 11.
It will be a battle of two of the leagues top three scorers during the regular season. Adam Brooks led the WHL with 120 points and Brayden Burke of the Hurricanes finished third with 109 points.
The Hurricanes own the leagues top powerplay with a 28.9 % success rate during the regular season. The Pats powerplay was tied for 15th at 19.0%. The Pats PK was 12th at 78.4 % and had the third most short handed goals with 13. The Hurricanes penalty kill was 79.3 %. In the season series, the Pats scored 4 goals on 14 powerplays while the Canes scored 5 times on 14 man advantages.
The Pats went 20-13-2-1 on home ice and 16-15-1-4 on the road. The Canes were 28-7-0-1 on home ice and 18-17-1-0 on the road. The Pats were 1-1-0-0 in Lethbridge and 2-0-0-0 at home in the season series. The Pats went 21-13-0-3 after the Christmas break while the Hurricanes were 22-13-1-1. Only two other teams in the Eastern Conference had 20 plus wins after the break, they were Brandon and Red Deer.
This one could go the distance, and as always, I will refrain from making a prediction in the series the Pats are playing in.
– OIL KINGS VS WHEAT KINGS – For the third consecutive season Brandon will take on Edmonton in the playoffs. The Oil Kings beat the Medicine Hat Tigers in the one game play in last night 6-4. Brandon went 1-1-1-1 against Edmonton in the season series, the most recent game however was an 8-3 Wheat Kings win on February 19th. Brandon was led by Jayce Hawryluk who had 6 points in the season series while Edmonton’s Brett Pollock had 8 points. The Wheat Kings won 9 straight to finish the regular season and in my opinion will make quick work of the Oil Kings in this one. I would be surprised if Edmonton wins a single game.
– WARRIORS VS RAIDERS – Prince Albert is the second seed in the East Division taking on the 3rd seeded Warriors. However Moose Jaw to me is the favorite to win the series. The Warriors went 6-2-0-0 in the season series and won the last five. Moose Jaw outscored Prince Albert 31-24 in the 8 games played. Dryden Hunt and Brayden Point have run roughshod on the Raiders, each recording 15 points, Hunt in 8 games and Point in 7. Zach Sawchenko has been equally as good in the Warriors goal with a 6-1-0-0 record, a 2.27 GAA and a .926 save percentage. The Raiders Jordan Tkatch and Reid Gardiner each have 7 points in the 8 games against Moose Jaw while Rylan Parenteau was 1-5-0-0 in goal with a 3.87 GAA and a .877 save percentage. The playoffs are a new season and both teams kind of limped to the finish but it seems the matchup really favours the Warriors in this one. I’m taking Moose Jaw in 6.
– HITMEN VS REBELS – Well right off the bat, the schedule for this series is a tough one. The two teams will play three games in three days to start with game 3 going in Calgary at 4 o’clock on Sunday afternoon. They will then enjoy four days off before game 4. The joys of playing in an NHL city… The Hitmen won the season series with the 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup hosts with a 4-2-0-1 record. A couple of Calgary defenceman were the difference, Travis Sanheim and Jake Bean each had 10 points against the Rebels. Red Deer won 8 of 10 to close out the year and Calgary 7 of 10. I think it’s going to come down to who gets the better goaltending and that’s almost too close to call but I will take the Rebels in 7.
– Out West I have the Royals over the Chiefs in 4, Kelowna to beat Kamloops in 6, Seattle over Prince George in 6 and Everett to beat Portland in 5. Other than the Wheat Kings and Royals who I think will make quick work of their round one opponents, the other 6 series really could go either way. This is going to be an incredible playoffs.
– I made my case Sunday for Adam Brooks to be named the WHL Player of the year. If you missed it, have a read here.
– The WHL Bantam Draft lottery will be held this morning at the WHL Office in Calgary to determine the order of the first six selections in the first round of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. The lottery will involve the six non-playoff teams (Kootenay, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Tri-City, and Medicine Hat) from the 2015-16 season. A team may only move up a maximum of two positions in the WHL Bantam Draft. The 2016 WHL Bantam Draft will be held in Calgary, AB, on Thursday, May 5, 2016. The lottery selection will be available live online at WHL.ca.
– Be sure to catch tonight’s episode of Pats TV on Access 7 starting at 6:30. My guests this week are Adam Brooks, Colby Williams and goaltendign coach Rob Muntain.
That’s all I have for today, have a great week and talk to you from the rink Friday night!
Phil
@PhilAndrewsCKRM
Good luck Edmonton with that Wheat Kings series.
Neither the Pat or Hurricanes will go very far if they don't clean up their defence. No team every won anything playing river hockey, and a good example are the many years the Tigers tried but never really managed much. In the last two month the Canes were not great as the teams and play got tougher. The Pats were hot and cold during the same time. I expect both teams tighten things up a lot and we won't see any more shinny hockey scores.
Thanks tips. Wow everyone is a gm. Stay at home during the playoffs. We don't need clowns like you in the stands. Go Pats. The real fans will show up to cheer you on.
Tigers WHL champions in 2004 and 2007 but other than that, nothing much
"This one could go the distance, and as always, I will refrain from making a prediction in the series the Pats are playing in."
Why would you not make a prediction "That The Pats Are Playing In" ?
Sports writers are allowed to say what they want to and this looks to me like you are afraid the City of Regina will be on your Ass if you don't pick the Pats to win. Come on "Toughen up Phil" Nobody will Poop on your lawn. lol
I don't have any problem with play-by-play announcers refraining from making a prediction on a series "their" team is in. If they pick "their" team, they are a homer, if they don't they have to face 30 guys on the bus the next night who are wondering where their loyalties lie. It really serves no purpose. Predictions are fun but there are enough to go around already.
Good choice on not making predictions on Pats games Phil. You travel with the team and coaches. The relationships you build with the players and coaches help you do a great job. Would the toughen up Phil guy tell his wife that the neighbor's wife is hotter than her?
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Just read an article by a Lethbridge fan trying to break down the series. In the end he says the Hurricanes in 5 or 7 which is a bit strange. Probably opting for home ice. Some other supposed Pats fan said the Pats would be done in 5. This guy said the Hurricanes coach might employ a neutral zone trap to tie up the Pats and win on the PP. I don't see how that would help his team by slowing them down as well.
medicine hat also won a Memorial cup in the late 80's or early 90's. Keep poking the bear regina fan……
Back in the late 80's the Tigers were a big goony team when they won Memorial Cups. Since they started with the smurf forwards they have never won another. With all the big numbers they had put up in the regular seasons, their ability to last in the playoffs wasn't there. Their model isn't the best.
Hurricanes done in 5. Won't be close. Lethbridge doesn't have a hope in hell over a 7 game series. Pats have better players and coaches. Go Pats Go
Pats have about as much of a chance of winning this first series as I do getting laid tonight and that ain't gonna happen because I'll be 93 tomorrow.
You better pop a Viagra gramps. It'll happen.
I wonder if Brown will have a short leash he hasn't been stellar since returning, Hollett was playing pretty good before giving way to Brown? Who ever is in will have to steal games if we want to do anything in playoffs.
Eat Crow Brandon