Well, it's official. The Regina Pats will take on the Medicine Hat Tigers in the second round of the WHL playoffs. The Tigers were the top team in the Eastern Conference this season, and are ranked #2 in the country. So, they should make short work of the Pats, right? Not necessarily.
The Tigers were taken to a seventh game in round one by a young but determined crew from Red Deer. That could bode well, if the Pats stick to the physical, tight-checking style which has taken them this far. And, with three road victories in round one, stealing a game or two in Medicine Hat shouldn't be too much to ask from the Pats.
It all starts Saturday night in Medicine Hat - should be an exciting ride!
4 comments:
Geez I don't know what to think Pete. Based on standings, reputation, season series etc etc.., the Pats should be out in four games to the Tigers. On paper it looks like a mis-match. Luckily for the Pats the game isn't played on paper.
This isn't a case of trying to portray themselves as underdogs, the really are. They are the lowest seed in the east.
The thing is that the road to Vancouver goes through Medicine Hat and at some point if a team wants to advance, they will have to beat them. The Pats get that chance right now.
They must steal a game in Medicine Hat and play great at home. Then anything is possible. It will however be very tough to do. Advancing past the 1st round is OK but you sense the fans want much more. Lets hope we see our own miracle on ice.
Hopefully the Pats braintrust is poring over the tapes of the Medicine Hat-Red Deer series for an example of how to play the Tigers. If Regina can play the way Red Deer played, with the Pats having a stronger defence and more balanced scoring, this just could be a series.
If they don't - it could be over pretty quickly. Hopefully that's not the way it plays out.
Pete, here is a question for you. Would Peter Kalus be eligible to come back to the Pats for the playoffs? Snellman is home and if they retained Kalus's rights, he is only 19 and would be the 2nd euro. The Bruins have one game left and the season will be over this weekend.
A number of years ago Dale Derkacht came to play for the Pats in playoffs after playing pro in Europe for the season. Wouldn't he be a nice addition?
Depends on whether or not Kalus has played the minimum number of games in the NHL - 10, I think it is. If he has, nope he can't come back. And I'm not sure how his time in the AHL factors into it. Still, it would sure be nice...
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