Pats v Broncos thoughts...

I know it's already the next night but I'm still on holidays and I'm keeping myself occupied. But here are some thoughts....

..... When the opening faceoff occurred I was thinking that we would come out flying and take it to the Broncos but man was I wrong. They started out flat and sluggish.... too much turkey for the holidays? So I gave them the benefit of the doubt. No matter how they started they seemed to play hard and got out of the funk as the game progressed.

..... As it appears that there won't be a coaching change I had decided to back Coaches Hunt and Sutter. I decided to sit and watch Hunt at various times during the game (probably not very safe on my part.... oops). I could see the frustration on his face..... the "I've told them a 100 times to do it this way because it will work but you decided to do it your own way and it hurts us" (or something along those lines) face. I dunno.... the team has struggled to put a good season together but I know that Hunt is doing all he knows (I'm sure Sutter is passing on all he knows to the player too) to get everything out of his players. I honestly think the wins will come.... maybe not tons but they will happen. Work hard and things will happen.

..... As quickly as I jumped on the Hunt bandwagon I almost jumped off during the game. I know that he prides himself on being a four line coach but for a spell in the third I don't think the 3rd or 4th line saw too many shifts. Losing Moser probably didn't help out the line combinations but going with 2 lines and 3 or 4 defencemen most times just doesn't work. And it really didn't pay off until the last 2:30 with the goalie pulled. When we tied it up I buckled my seatbelt on the Hunt bandwagon. Win or lose I will support him and the Pats.

..... Did anyone see what happened to Moser? I had my attention drawn away from that play and missed what happened. I saw that he really struggled to get off of the ice and looked to be favoring his ankle/knee. Please feel free to comment. I hope he's alright.

..... Damien Ketlo played a fairly strong game and made a couple of huge saves but man he let in one (maybe two) stinker(s). The first goal was a total snipe so that wasn't his fault.... low blocker just inside of the post. The second one he probably would have had if he was 2 inches taller.... He went down pretty early and took his chance away to stop it. The third one.... ick. If he can keep out the bad goal I think he'll be fine as our starter for the rest of the year.

..... One player that really frustrates me is Garrett Mitchell. One shift he looks like he's a superstar, the next shift he looks like a fourth liner, the next shift he disappears. I dunno if having the 'C' is affecting his game or what but I would have to say (other than the questionable penalty) that this was probably his best game this season.

..... Brandon Davidson has been the Pats anchor on the 'd' and he played extremely well last night. He probably played close to 30-35 minutes. I hope he is a Pat after the deadline.

..... Ricard Blidstrand is an anomaly to me. The guy seems to have all the tools to be a good defenceman in this league but it's looking like he may not have enough room in the tool box and things get left out. He's good for at least one BAD pass a game which in most cases ends up in our net (or a very strong scoring chance). I know he's only 18 but he should be accustomed to the Dub by now. I'm not totally giving up on him yet (I'm just thankful he's not Zapletal).

..... Myles Bell had a fairly strong game. He's been looking out of sorts recently and I'm not sure why. People are getting antsy and starting to yell at him.... Do people not realize that he's ONLY 17. Man! There is a fan that sits near me and has for years boo'd Barret Jackman, Logan Pyett and Colten Tuebert and he's now yelling at Bell to get off of the ice.... some people.

..... Colin Reddin's shootout goal was a thing of beauty!

..... If the Pats decide to keep Roznik for next year I hope he gets some opportunity to play a bit more this year as he can skate and he knows his way around the offensive zone. He never really seems to have a chance.

..... Jordan Weal is fun to watch. He picked up another 3 points giving him 48 in 37 games.... he's on pace for about 94 points. I think all of his doubters should shut their mouths.... he's the real deal. Last year he had Jordan Eberle as his main linemate.... this year.... let's see.... he's had Ashton, Frazee, Muench, Mitchell, Scheidl and now Martell and he's still clicking along. If he can get consistency on his line I wouldn't be surprised if he were to top 100 points.

..... Shayne Neigum is a big lug. I really can't remember the last Pat to take the puck into the offensive zone and try to go through the defence and not around them. He had a couple of decent chances but outmuscling Swifts 'd'. I like the pickup as a compliment to the kids.

..... I really like Tanner Olstad's game. He really showed off his offensive skills on a couple of Pats pp's (unfortunately they have trouble getting the puck on the net). He kills penalties and I do believe he was our extra attacker for the last two goals.

..... Lyndon Martell came out and looked scary.... as in bad.... Justin Scott like (no offence Justin.... but he reminded me of Scott and it scared me)..... but then I thought well maybe he got in late and had travel legs. But as the game progressed he showed a lot in the Swift zone and his goal was a snipe top shelf. I can't wait to see what he can do with some practice time. He seems like he could be a really good compliment to Weal.

..... Dane Muench a scratch again? Healthy? In the coaches doghouse? He has definitely shown signs of greatness but they seemed few and far between. I hope he can get back in the lineup.... but is there room?

..... One conclusion I came up with last night was that I really miss the centre ice score clock! I honestly have yet to get used to the end zone clocks.... and I don't think I will.

That was a lot more than I expected to type but I think I covered as much as I felt is necessary. Now all the Pats need is some consistency and take it to the Raiders (keep J. Parker off the scoreboard) and beat the Hitmen to gain some much needed points in the standings..... as of me typing this we are only 4 points out of 4th in our division and 8th in the conference.... 10 points out of 7th and 11 out of 6th. Not to get my hopes up too high..... I may be a bit delusional or call just me crazy..... but I’m honestly thinking playoffs.

Well anyway,

GO PATS GO!

Kevin
on December 29, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Halfway thoughts

Well here goes nothing. I’m not really sure where to start. I was sitting here thinking that I could sit and grade the players individually but there has been so much player movement it would be hard to do and I don’t think it’s fair really. So I decided to rate the team in categories.... coaching, defence, forwards, goaltending and general manager..... or something like that.

Well I think that I will start with the goaltending. In my opinion this has been a real sore spot for the Pats this year (I think a lot of people will agree with me). Keeping three goalies around as long as they did only cut one of their quality practice time. Ketlo has been given every opportunity to take the reigns as the #1 but for some reason he’s been having troubles with that. He will be stellar one night and totally lay an egg the next game. I don’t think it’s entirely his fault (lies with the defence and coaching.... I’ll get to that later). Hewitt beat out Guhle for the backup job and once that was settled he has had his chance to shine. He’s played really well for his time but seems to have the same issue as Ketlo.... Stellar one game and not so great the next. I love his aggression but sometimes it’s his undoing. If he was a couple of inches taller I have no doubt that he would be the starter.

The teams defence baffles my mind. On paper (or in individual pieces) they have a decent quality defence but there are times they look awful.... and those times are more often than not. Davidson has been the teams’ best defenseman and with all the moves he’s now 2nd on the team in scoring. Bell has been inconsistent but is still a player to watch (NHL draft-wise). A healthy scratch recently (which kinda boggles my mind) after a bad game and certain vets don’t get scratched? Hmmmm.... Blidstrand has been getting better each game but is really prone to bad turnovers which usually lead to scoring chances for the opposition. I do admit that he is getting better even though he is a -18. I dunno about Schneider.... In only 29 games he’s a whopping -25!!! What else can I say? Bidlevskii has been solid and man that guy can scrap and seems to be a solid citizen on the blueline. Pavkovich and Borstmayer are both very serviceable 17 year olds and with opportunity will be good long term Pats (unless they get dealt).

The forwards have been decent. There has been so many changes and the lines never seem to stay the same so I’m not really going to say much about the forwards. Jordan Weal is honestly the real deal. Reddin has been a good overage pickup and can skate like the wind. I don’t know who else to talk about.... Mitchell has performed well.... still hits and has 10 goals. Stephenson needs to play more.... he’s a quality player and has shown signs of what he can do. Jung, Rieder, Stevenson, Sagen are all good checking line players (as they always seem to be). That’s all I’m going to say.

Coaching.... I’m not even sure what to say here.... I don’t know what is wrong with the team this year as no lead for the Pats seems safe.... How many times can a team blow a third period lead and lose (or get the loser point)? The lines never seem to be the same game to game or sometimes shift to shift. Continuity has to be an issue there. I don’t know about you.... but listening to the Pats post game shows you wouldn’t know if the Pats won or lost some times as the coaches thoughts seem to be like they are recorded. I can understand that having 10 wins after half of a season that the coaches have said all they can say. I would like to hear more post games with the coaches talking about a W not a loss.

I think Chad Lang has done a lot for the future of the Pats. He’s definitely recouped most of the draft picks that were squandered away over the last season or two. He’s brought in a bunch of decent young players that will help out this year and next. I love the fact that he has pretty much rebuilt the team as there are a whole bunch of new players wearing the Pats sweater. Hopefully he can continue the rebuild.... I believe.

Agree or disagree that’s what I’ve got to say.

I’m looking forward to seeing Lyndon Martell in the lineup tonight.

No matter what I'm a Pats fan and I know they can turn this around.

GO PATS GO!

Kevin
on December 28, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Wow....

I just noticed that it's been 10 days since my last post..... That's crazy.

I have been on holidays since the 17th and have barely been online during that time. I've been working on another project (Pats related and won't be ready for a while.... but I'm working on it).

This is a post to say that I'm back and I'm going to post all out from now on (I know I've said it before but this time I mean it).

I'm going to post some first half thoughts later today and what I'm looking forward to in the second half.

Kevin
on December 28, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats 6 v Raiders 4 thoughts

Some quick thoughts....

..... Matt Hewitt is a pretty decent netminder.... just needs to stay calm and keep doing what he's doing. I just wish he was 3 inches taller. Well deserving of the star honour last night.

..... Shayne Neigum looks like a mini-tank on the ice. I didn't look it up but I think he may have had a career game with 2 goals and an assist. Seems to hit like a ton of bricks. He reminds me a bit of Curtis Austring with a bit more bite.

..... Tanner Olstad is tiny! He honestly reminds me of Todd Davison in pretty much all facets I saw last night. He's gonna be a gooder for the Pats.

..... Nils Moser is a pretty big kid. Not huge but big and when he hits he looks as though he hits hard. He's not super fast but hits and hits and hits.

..... I can honestly say that no one had a "bad" game last night. Some guys just seemed to have a bad shift or two.

..... Blidstrand has been getting better game by game..... I just wish he wouldn't cough the puck up like he does. When he coughs the puck up it's usually in the net. He's getting better.

..... Bell had a good game.... but I have noticed one thing that really bothers me.... he seems to pinch and get caught up ice a lot. I know he's 17 and he's still learning and will get better and better.

..... The rest of the D played really well. Of the 4 goals that were allowed..... Hewitt would love to have one back (bad 5-hole goal) and PA's 4th goal was a beauty with the goalie pulled.

...... I really wish that the Pats would keep the lines together for more than a shift or 3. But I guess with all the changes chemistry needs to be found.

...... Stephenson needs more ice. Weal keep doing what you're doing. Reddin keep being fast creates a lot of open ice for your line mates. Rieder is becoming a fore checking machine. Jung is an impressive defensive player that put with the right players will become a top end two-way forward.

...... Is Muench in the ‘doghouse’? He has been a healthy scratch more often than not recently. How soon until he is done?

...... Is it worth keeping an import in Roznik to be a healthy scratch? He’s pretty talented but just doesn’t seem to have grasped the WHL game yet. I think he’s worth keeping but I don’t know if there is enough spots for him to get proper ice time.

That’s it for now.

I’m going to listen to the game tonight.
on December 18, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats v. Raiders thoughts

It's looking as though Hewitt is getting the nod in net. Hopefully he has a strong game.

Newcomer Shayne Neigum is in the lineup and wearing #27.

Lines for the majority of the warm-up are:
Scheidl-Weal-Mitchell
Reddin-Olstad-Moser
Neigum-Stephenson-Rieder
Sagen-Jung-Stevenson

Schneider-Bidlevskii
Blidstrand-Davidson
Borstmayer-Bell

Hewitt starts.
Ketlo backs up.

Scratches are: Roznik, Ouellette, Muench and Pavkovich.

We'll see how the game goes.... Updates may come period by period.... Or when I have time. Tomorrow!


Sent from my BlackBerry® Torch on the SaskTel Network.
on December 17, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats/Blazers strike deal

From the Pats website:

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats announced tonight that they have sent 20 year old forward, Thomas Frazee to the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for 20 year old, forward Shayne Neigum, 17 year old forward, Lyndon Martell and a 3rd round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.

Neigum, who hails from Kindersley is in his 4th WHL season, began the year with the Chilliwack Bruins and in 27 games with both the Bruins and Kamloops Blazers he has 1 goal and 2 assists as well as 86 penalty minutes.

Prince George, BC native, Lyndon Martell spent last season with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL and had 31 pts in 44 games. He began the season with the Blazers and has spent the last 16 games with the Spruce Kings.

LW – Shayne Neigum
Born: Mar. 31/90
Hometown: Kindersley, SK
6’00” 184lbs. Shoots: Left
2010-11 Blazers/Bruins
GP-27 G-1 A-2 PTS-3 PIM-86

LW – Lyndon Martell
Born: Jan 13/93
Hometown: Prince George BC
6’01” 175lbs Shoots:Left
2009-10 Prince George (BCHL)
GP-44 G-13 A-18 PTS-31 PIM-20

Regina Pats General Manager Chad Lang, “This is another tough deal to make, however it’s a good opportunity for our organization to add another 17 year old prospect as well as picking up a 3rd round pick. We’d like to thank Thomas for his contribution to our club and wish him all the best in his final season in the Western Hockey League.”
on December 15, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

I'm back....

I've been lazy. I'm going to be around a lot over the rest of the season. I just needed to get away.... as a frustrated Pats fan I just didn't feel like writing. But I've come to grips with the season.... and hey you win some you lose some.

As I type this the Pats are leading the Raiders 2-1 after 1. Sounds like a really decent period.

More later....
on December 14, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats deal Ashton

From the Pats website:

Regina, Saskatchewan – Regina Pats General Manager Chad Lang announced today that the Regina Pats have sent 19 year old forward, Carter Ashton and a 2012 3rd round WHL bantam draft pick to the Tri-City Americans in exchange for forward Tanner Olstad, forward Nils Moser, a 1st round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam draft as well as a 2nd and 5th round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.


17 year old Nils Moser is in his 2nd season with the Americans and has played 20 games so far this season. He was selected by the Americans in the 2nd round of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft. Moser was also with the team during their run to the WHL Finals this past spring

18 year old Tanner Olstad is in his 1st full season with the Americans and has played 20 games.

RW – Nils Moser
Born – Jan 3/93
6’00 190Lbs
Shoots – Right
Hometown: Canmore, AB
2010-11 Tri-City Americans
GP-20 G-1 A-0 Pts-1 PIM-15

C – Tanner Olstad
Born – Jan 15/92
5’7” 160Lbs
Shoots - Left
Hometown: Calgary, AB
2010-11 Tri-City Americans
GP-20 G-1 A-2 Pts-3 PIM-9

The Pats acquired Carter Ashton on December 9th, 2009 from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a deal that also saw Craig Orfino and a 3rd round 2010 pick come to the Pats in exchange for Graham Hood, Talor Balog a 2nd 2010 Bantam pick and a 1st round pick in 2011.

“These are always difficult moves to make,” Explains Regina Pats General Manager, Chad Lang. “Carter has been a big part of our hockey club for this past year, so it’s very difficult to see him move on but we felt it was important for our organization moving forward to make the deal.”

Lang continues, “We are excited to receive not only the draft picks but two young players. Moser is a solid two way forward who we feel has the potential, over time, to be a top six forward. As a bantam he was selected in the 2nd rd so it shows he is one of the top prospects in his age class. In Olstad, we are getting a hardworking, energy type forward that gives us even more depth in our line-up. We would like to welcome both players joining our organization and are excited to see them in the line-up.”

“I would like to thank Carter Ashton for his commitment and dedication to our organization and wish him all the best at the upcoming World Junior Selection Camp.”
on December 10, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats/Broncos continued again

Rather uneventful third period.....

Frazee seals the deal with an empty net goal with just over a minute left in the third.

PATS WIN! PATS WIN!

Eight wins on the season.... Four against the Broncos....

More thoughts in a while.


Sent from my BlackBerry® Torch on the SaskTel Network.
on December 04, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats/Broncos continued...

Pats hit the board first 5:41 into the second.... Weal with the screen shot from the slot eludes the Swift goalie Tendler. Scheidl and Bidlevskii pick up the helpers on the power play.

Pats make it 2-0 on a neat deflection by Weal on a 4 on 4. Scheidl picks up the helper.

..... I'm liking the Weal-Scheidl-Ouellette line.

Broncos score on the PP to make the game 2-1. Ketlo lost sight of the puck off of a rebound and Wagner is able to slide the puck past the Pats netminder.

Fisticuffs- Bidlevskii vs Howorko... Good short tilly. Unnecessary in my opinion but good.

Davidson scores with a seeing eye point shot that gets through a maze of bodies and beats Tendler high glove side. 3-1 with less than a minute left in the period.

Shots are 23-22 Pats.

Now.... Can they hold the lead?
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on December 04, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats/Broncos

Noticeably absent from the Pats lineup is Myles Bell.... He had himself a below average game last night and maybe he's a healthy scratch for this one? I dunno.

Also not dressed Matt Hewitt.... I didn't notice him getting injured or anything last night but Tanner Burghardt is tonight's backup.

Lines are all messed up....

Ashton with Reddin and Frazee is the starting trio....
Scheidl with Weal and Ouelette is second out....
Muench with Stephenson and Mitchell is trio number three....
Stevenson with Jung and Rieder make the final trio of forwards....

Good first period ends 0-0 with shots tied at 13.

Good game so far.....

I wonder if they are showcasing our vets? Ashton, Reddin and Frazee on a line.... Hmmmmm.....
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on December 04, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats/Warriors third period

Warriors take a three goal lead 54 seconds into the third. Terrible let down on our d yet again. Moose Jaw takes advantage as Hood pots a pretty easy one. 6 goals on 21 shots.... OUCH.

Ouellette playing on the wing with Weal and Scheidl scores a nice goal on a good pass play involving all three. To make the game 6-4.

I'm worried about the defence...... Very sub par tonight and our goaltending ain't helping them out.

Warriors take advantage of a PP with Edwards (I think Bowman took the shot and and it was tipped) blasting the puck and a stick blade distracted (maybe?)past Hewitt. 7-4. I am losing interest.... Hard to watch the team bail on their goalie(s) all game.

Frazee scores on a snipe hi short (glove) side. 7-5. What a gong show.

So much for any hope. Honejsek scores his third of the game... On a bad rebound from Hewitt. Defence is NO help. Terrible. 8-5

Pats haven't given up and Mitchell scores the Pats sixth goal on a setup by Muench and Reddin. 8-6

Yikes.

Pats pull their tender and its no help.

AJ Johnson scores with one second left.

They fall 9-6.


Final shots 41-30.

Some thoughts later.

Kevin
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on December 03, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pata/Warriors end 2

Our defence or lack thereof strikes again.... A save that Ketlo could have had (five hole). Terrible D strikes again.... Oy. Edwards gets the third (his second of the game) Warrior goal. Three goals on ten shots.

Warriors make it 4-1 terrible.... Terrible..... Terrible. A scramble in front of a sprawling Ketlo ends up in the net. Four goals on 13 shots and Hewitt is in 3:29 into the second..... Wait a second the goal is under review..... Good goal by Wyton. 4-1. Shots 20-13 Pats.

Pats make it a two goal game... I'm not totally sure how the puck crossed the line as the puck ended up in the air and somehow bounced past Heemskerk.... Frazee gets credit... 29-19 shots for the Pats. 4-2 Warriors

Pats get a "mystery" penalty shot.... No clue as to why and Jordan Weal makes the Warriors pay. 4-3... 18:42 left.

As I was typing that last line... I missed the Warriors take back the two goal lead. Honejsek unassisted. 19:02 into the second.

5-3 end of two. 34-20 shots for the Pats.

Yikes.... Crazy.

Lots of game left yet.... Hopefully it can turn around.

GO PATS GO!
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on December 03, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats/Warriors end 1

Warriors strike first - short handed on a 2 on ZERO breakaway. Edwards slides the puck through Ketlo.... Shots are 8-2 Pats at this point.

Our defence is awesome! End sarcasm. The Jaw makes it 2-0 on you guessed it a breakaway. This time Honejsek scores five hole on Ketlo. 9-6 shots for the Pats.

Bidlevskii vs McIlrath with a GREAT tilt at 11:16.... Pats turning point? Hope so.

Ashton gets the teddy's flying at 14:39 of the first period. Assists go to Weal and Frazee. Shots 13-7 Pats.

No more scoring in the first. Shots 16-9 Pats.

I'm worried.

Stay tuned.

Sent from my BlackBerry® Torch on the SaskTel Network.
on December 03, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats v Warriors

Pre-game thoughts....

I'm actually looking forward to this contest. I'm also hoping that the Pats can pull this one out.

Borstmayer is in the lineup. Pavkovich, Roznik and Stevenson are the scratches. I wonder how much ice time Borstmayer will get.

Hewitt has some new pads and mask. Nice pads.... Didn't get a close enough look at the new mask although it is shiny haha.

GO PATS!
Sent from my BlackBerry® Torch on the SaskTel Network.
on December 03, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |  

Pats recall Borstmayer

ReginaPats.com Press Release


Regina, Saskatchewan – Regina Pats General Manager Chad Lang announced today that defenceman Tyler Borstmayer has been recalled to the Regina Pats from Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL.

Borstmayer played in 39 games as a rookie with the Regina Pats in 2009-10 and in two games this season, he has an assist and 2 penalty minutes. He has played 14 games with the Mustangs in 2010-11 with 2 assists and 11 penalty minutes.
The Pats will hit the ice tomorrow night at home against the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Its Budget Rent A Car Teddy Bear Toss night, so fans should bring new stuffed animals to the game and when the Pats score their first goal, throw the animals on the ice. Puck drops at 7pm, for ticket information, head to www.reginapats.com. 
on December 02, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |