THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Happy Wednesday Everybody!

– First off a huge congrats to former Regina Thunder quarterback Asher Hastings who set a CIS record for touchdown passes in a season over the weekend. Hastings, who is playing with the McMaster marauders threw his 31st TD on Saturday against the Western Mustangs. The previous CIS mark of 30 touchdown passes set by Chris Flynn of Saint Mary’s University in 1989.

– Another former Thunder QB had a big weekend. Kyle Siemens made his first start for the U of S Huskies. He went 44 of 67 for 520 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Huskies lost the game to UBC but what a performance!

– The Regina Thunder had their imprint all over the PFC year end awards late last week.

On Friday the league released its Outstanding Player Award Winners.

– The Outstanding offensive Lineman went to the Thunder’s Matt Halbgewachs.
– The Outstanding offensive back was the Thunder’s Colton Klassen.
– Outstanding Quarterback, Regina’s Jaeden Marwick.
– Outstanding Defensive Back, Menedum Menegbo of the Thunder.
– League MVP – Quarterback Jaeden Marwick.
– Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year – Running Back Colton Klassen.

5 players were named offensive all-stars. Kyle Deschene and Matt Halbgewachs (second consecutive year) were named all-stars on the offensive line. Running back Colton Klassen was named an all-star after 117 carries, 911 yards,  7.7 yards per carry and 5 touchdowns on route to the PFC rushing title. As well receiver Kasim Ocaya was honoured after a 25 reception, 443 yards and 5 touchdown season. At quarterback Jaeden Marwick was named an all-star for the second straight year. He had 118 completions, 1,670 yards, 19 touchdown, a completion percentage of 67% and an efficiency rating of 112.2.

On defence, 4 players were named. On the D-Line Ryan Warner is a 2015 all-star after a 10 tackle and 8 assisted season. Paul Toth at linebacker was honoured after 18 tackles, 9 assists, 1 knockdown and 2 interceptions this year. 2 Thunder defensive backs were named all-stars.Taylor Mayer with 15 tackles, 3 assists, 5 knockdowns, 2 interceptions and Menedum Menegho who put up 11 tackles, 3 assists, 4 knockdowns and 2 interceptions.

Finally, 3 players were named to the PFC rookie all-star team. Sawyer Buettner at QB, this year he went 33 of 56 for 485 yards, 59.9% completion percentage and 2 touchdowns. Receiver Kris Calcutt was also named to the team. He had 6 receptions for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. Calcutt was also recognized for his contributions as a punter and kicker as the PFC’s top rookie in those areas. Tanner Smith was also on the rookie team at linebacker. He had 6 tackles, 3 assists and 1 special teams tackle.

A great season led by great coaches. It’s only going to get better in the years to come!

– Congrats to the Saskatoon Hilltops who won the PFC championship on Sunday with a win over the Calgary Colts. The Hilltops will host the Canadian Bowl on November 7th.

– The Regina Pats put forward their best effort of the season on Sunday at home to the Prince Albert Raiders but came out with just a single point. Losing 2-1 in overtime at the Brandt Centre. The Pats put 39 shots on goal in the game but Ian Scott had a performance to remember in the Raider goal. The 16-year-old was fantastic, he made at least 6 saves he had no business making. Lane Zablocki three times thought he had sure goals and Jake Leschyshyn two others but Scott stopped them all and the Raiders won the game. Scott is going to be a tough out for every team for the next 4-5 years. What a player.

As for the Pats, Taylor Cooper stepped into the lineup and played very well. The powerplay looked a lot more dangerous and with him on the wing with Sam Steel that line was a threat all night. I was unsure how Cooper would fare after missing out on off-season work outs and had only practiced since the start of the season. But he stepped up and played well. Good to see for the overager.

Also really liked the game of Sean Richards in his first ever WHL contest. He’s not a big guy by any means but he skates very well and plays with a lot of grit. His for-checking game was really solid. He’s only going to get better too.

The Pats are back at it Friday at the Brandt Centre when they host the Moose Jaw Warriors at 7 o’clock.

– The Pats first round pick of 2014, goaltender Jordan Hollett is having a great season so far with the Ridge Meadow Flames of the PIJHL. The 16-year-old has a 3-2-1-0 record. He has the best save percentage in the league at .939 and the 5th best goals against average at 2.45. Good to see from the young guy who almost made the Pats this year and could be back in Regina before the season is over depending on what happens with the 20-year-old situation once Colby Williams returns to the ice. We will see.

– What a crazy day in Calgary for the Hitmen on Tuesday. First the club traded 19-year-old forward Chase Land and 19-year-old defenceman Ben Thomas to Vancouver for 20-year-old forward Jackson Houck, 18-year-old goalie Cody Porter and 18-year-old forward Jakub Stukel. Plus a conditional 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft went to Calgary. The Hitmen then had to place 20-year-old Elliott Peterson on waivers, if he clears he will join the SJHL. Then Calgary traded 18-year-old forward Terrell Draude to his hometown Saskatoon Blades for a 5th round pick in 2016. The Hitmen have been struggling of late, not scoring goals and this is the result. A big splash early in the season. Should work out for all involved, though I am a little surprised the Giants traded and got older.

– I am still not over the Blue Jays loss in game 6 to the Kansas City Royals of the ALCS. What a rollercoaster of emotions in that one. From going down 3-1 in the 7th, to tieing it up in the 8th to going down 4-3 and then not getting a run across with a man on 3rd and nobody out. That 9th inning I thought there was no way the Jays didn’t tie it up but two strikeouts killed them. Then entire game they went oh for 12 with runners in scoring position. That was the difference in the series, not any decisions made by manager John Gibbons, not David Price, not the bullpen. None of that. Credit the Royals pitching. I felt almost as bad after that loss as I did after the 2009 Grey Cup.

– Connor McDavid is so good. That’s all I have to say about him. I find myself watching the Oilers ahead of my beloved Leafs just to see him play. it’s crazy to compare him to the Oilers other 1st overall picks. He is head and shoulders better than them right now, Imagine in a couple years…

McDavid looked to have tied the game for Edmonton in the dying seconds against the LA Kings on Sunday night. However Jonathan Quick grabbed the puck with his glove just as it hit the goal line. The glove went into the net and it was likely a goal but there was no video evidence to prove that. There was one picture that circulated on Twitter that seemed to prove the puck went in but I came across this video explaining why the NHL will not use that particular angle to prove or disprove a goal. Have a look here: https://youtu.be/QSG8mzwwOs8 Pretty interesting stuff.

– What is going on in Anaheim with the Ducks??? Before last night they had scored 6 goals in their first 8 games. Last night they did kind of break through and scored 3 in a loss to the Dallas Stars but Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have yet to score a goal??? What in the blue blazes… UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE. Have to think Bruce Boudreau is on thin ice down there. Fredrick Anderson in his first 5 starts, had a 1.71 GAA and a .940 Save percentage, he went 0-3-2-0. Those numbers should mean 5 wins on that team.

– Be sure to catch tonight’s episode of Pats TV on Access 7 starting at 6 o’clock. My guests this week are all forawrds, Taylor Cooper, Aaron Macklin and Colton Kroeker.

That’s all I have for today, have a great rest of your week!

Phil
@PhilAndrewsCKRM