Sunday, October 28, 2007

Crash!

That's the sound of the Regina Pats' 5-game winning streak coming to an abrupt halt. The Pats were dismantled 7-3 by the visiting Prince Albert Raiders Saturday night. Regina's Jordan Eberle had another strong night, notching two goals and an assist. The Raiders were led offensively by former Pat Ryan MacDonald, who beat Pats netminder Linden Rowatt three times.

I don't know, maybe it was the pink jerseys they were wearing, but the Pats played with all the grit and aggressiveness of the high school chess club in this game. I suspect the winning streak caused some of the players to think they could cut a few corners and still cruise to victory. In that sense, the loss could turn out to be a valuable wakeup call. Let's hope so, anyway.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well that wasn't what I paid good money for! While you can't put it all on Rowatt, do you not think he hasn't lived up to his billing so far? He has the talent to play better and more consistent but really hasn't. He is starting to head to the low rent district as far as his league average is concerned. Most good teams only go as far as their tending will take them. Right now he is a big question mark.

In three of their five losses, they have given up seven goals, and all against poor teams. That is unacceptable for a contender. They have the most losses of all leading teams in the Dub. They are still too inconsistent. Don't look now but the Warriors are a contender. The Hat is now a big time contender so unless they bring their "A" game every night they won't be in first long!

Pac58 said...

It's weird. I thought Linden started out great Saturday night. He was bailing his guys out big-time. But, after Ryan MacDonald scored from behind the net, banking it in off Tuebert I believe, Rowatt's confidence just seemed to disappear.

That problem dates back to last year. When he gets down on himself, he's pretty much done for the night. Too bad, because when he's on his game, he's in the top five in the league, I believe.

Anonymous said...

Yes exactly..if the kid wants to be a pro he will have to learn to shake off the occasional bad goal. He can be great and he will have to be for the guys to go anywhere. He was in a funk for a while last year and came out of it. I hope he does so again very soon.

Anonymous said...

Talk about crashing??? I am really PO'd.I just listened to the Pats game on radio. Hammered again on the road 5-1. Their road woes are starting to have a familiar ring.

Tyson Sexsmith is the #1 goalie and Linden Rowatt is now #20 and dropping like a stone. Swift is +19 and we are +5 G.A. Swift started the season with 8 road wins out of 10 games. We have built our record beating PA. We have some dumpers and chasers but no real talent beyond Eberle/Krauss/McAngus and it has shown up lately.

This team needs some help. They are not good enough or deep enough at this point. They play Brandon and Medicine Hat on the road before heading to the USA. I don't like their chances. If they don't turn things around and become an elite team soon, this season will get away on them.