Game day thread: Regina at Wheat Kings, 7:30 PM
2/19/2010 at 1:03 PM
Regina Pats (25-28-3-4, 10th in Eastern Conference)
Top scorers: Jordan Eberle (40+42=82), Jordan Weal (26+54=80), Matt Strueby (31+17=48), Carter Ashton (23+23=46)
Top scoring defenceman: Colten Teubert (9+26=35)
Season stats: http://whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=15&season_id=234&leagueId=26&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0
Probable starting goaltender: Damien Ketlo (17-15-2-4, 0.896 save percentage, 3.35 goals against average)
Manitobans: Kyle Mulder (West St. Paul)
Brandon Wheat Kings (41-16-1-3, Tie-1st in Eastern Conference)
Top scorers: Matt Calvert (39+38=77), Brayden Schenn (24+53=77), Aaron Lewadniuk (30+39=69), Scott Glennie (25+43=68)
Top scoring defenceman: Colby Robak (13+42=55)
Season stats: http://whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters
Probable starting goaltender: ***See discussion in comments section below
Two teams with a lot to play for hook up at Westman Place tonight.
For the Pats, it's essentially now-or-never territory in their quest to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. They currently sit seven points back, with 12 games remaining and at most 24 possible points on the table. Realistically they will have to win 9 or 10 of those final 12 to have a shot at the playoffs... barring a complete collapse from either Swift Current or Moose Jaw.
The Wheat Kings' hopes for first place and top seed in the Eastern Conference have been well-documented. Brandon is currently tied for the Blades for tops in both the conference and league, with Saskatoon having two key games in hand. Both teams face each other in their biggest game of the season (so far) tomorrow night in Saskatoon .. a game that would be that much bigger with a Wheat King win tonight and a Saskatoon loss to a very good Vancouver team.
***I'd like to hear honest feedback from folks on how you think the goaltending situation should/will be handled from here-on-in. We have two goalies that have been playing fairly well lately. Is it still a rotation, or do we pick one guy and run with him unless he shows signs of letting up?
I'm going to try to have scratches and lineups up a little before 1/2 hour before game time.
Will also be doing a little more experimenting with video to try to get a sense for what there's a need/want for.