Pats Season Complete

The Regina Pats season came to a close courtesy of a 2-1 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Pats had been mathematically eliminated for the last 5 games, but managed to win 3 of their last five anyway. The Wheat Kings have had the Pats number all season and beat them in both games of their home and home to close out the Pats season. The Wheat Kings will move on to face the Swift Current Broncos in the first round of playoffs while the Pats Summer will start even before Spring begins.

Jordan Eberle plotted his 50th goal of the season, a small bright spot in the pats rather disappointing season. Both Jordan's were in the top three scoring leaders in the league yet their team still did not make the playoffs. You can point the finger at a number of people for why the Pats season was cut short. Obviously the business should be sold from the incapable hands of the Parkers and into the firm grip of the Sutter's. Let's face it, GM Brent Parker would never have even come close to getting an interview for a management job in any league, let alone the dub, had it not been for the sheer luck that his father is the owner. Although the Pats were not "sellers" this year, the time has come to be one, sell the team, for the love of God, sell them!

A number of the Pats will get to continue their season's in higher ranks. Jordan Eberle, Carter Ashton and Garrett Mitchell will all jump up to the AHL while Colten Teubert will go to the ECHL. It would not surprise me if Teuby were to be traded from the Kings as they have waaay too many first round defensemen then they have spots. My guess is that he will be part of a package deal and be sent off some time in the Summer. Although Teuby could easily fit the lifestyle of LA, they just simply don't have enough room for the kid.

Struebs and Leffs plan to hopefully play for the U of R cougars next year, and Mitch McColm has had an offer for an amateur tryout deal with the Florida Panthers farm team in the ECHL. The line up for the Pats may look a little bit odd next year, and have many more baby faced kids then ever. Look for Weal too carry the team and be the new star, and the new player's ass for Rod Pedersen to kiss. Mitchell will be a leader and without a doubt get the "C".

It is rather embarrassing to not make the playoffs two years in a row, especially with 2 of the top 3 scorers, 3 first round draft picks, and 2 picks for this years NHL draft in the lineup. But, what's done is done. However, unless the Parker's sell the team, history is due (once again) too repeat itself. Let's just pray that it wont be three years in a row, that would look hideous on anyone's resume.

Finally Got the Trick!

Oiler Trades

The Oilers didn't make as many "blockbuster" trades as I would have liked, but they did get rid of some hefty paychecks. As predicted, the Oilers went younger and cheaper.

In a rather interesting turn of events, the Oilers traded Oldie D-man Steve Staios to the Calgary Flames in exchange for 26 year old D-man Aaron Johnson. Don't expect much point production out of Johnson.. he has a total of 3 points in 22 games, however Staios is in the same boat with 7 points in 40 games. Let's face it, although you could make the argument that Staios was the most reliable D-man that the Oilers had, he is also old, expensive, and has been battling that nagging concussion for what seems like forever.

The Oilers traded their leading defensive scorer and power play specialist, not to mention part time comedian (Hey, the guy is hilarious!), Lubomir Visnovsky to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Ryan Whitney. Once again, the Oilers got rid of a large money sack when they sent Lubo away, he had $14 million and 3 years left on his contract, so much for "no trade clause".

Edmonton also sent yet another D-man away. This time, Denis Grebeshkov was the victim, and in return all the Oilers recieved was a second round pick. Oddly enough, the Oilers and Grebbers new home of the Nashville Predators played eachother mere days after the trade. During the game Grebbers got a goal and an assist against his former team, propelling the Preds to a 4-3 victory over the Oil. Who got the short end of that trade stick?

Overall, the Oilers seemed to favor getting rid of their defensive core, and going younger. I don't know if dealing out all of those reliable defenseman was the smartest of all ideas, especially when they also lost Sheldon Souray due to an infection he has sustained from surgery he had to fix his broken hand. But, what's done is done. Bring on the young guns!
Staios-36 Johnson-26
Visnovsky-33 Whitney-27
Grebeshkov-26 Second Round pick- 17

Pats vs Bruins

After a game that I would prefer to forget about, the Pats were able to bounce back and take home a key 2 points. The game marked the return of former Pat Matt Delahey, meaning that it was also McColm's first crack at his former team. The pats ended up on the right end of a 5-3 decision. The Pats were able to gain and hold a lead for the first time in what seems like forever! With the "W" and praying that the Warriors lose their game against the Tigers tonight, the Pats will have pulled within 5 points of the final playoff spot with 10 games remaining.

Scoring for the Pats: Jordan Eberle, Weal (2), Leffler, Gustafsson
Scoring for the Bruins: Crooks, Howse, Neigum

This game had it all; scoring, a fight and to top it off, the Pats were on the winning end of it! The Pats look to continue their push for a playoff spot on Tuesday when they take on the Moose Jaw Warriors at the Crushed Can. Good Luck Boys!

Oilers

Well, since there is utterly no hope of coming anywhere close to making the playoffs we can always look at the bright side.. we are that much closer to landing Taylor Hall!

As for trades, old Sheldon "I made a list of teams" Souray's stock has dropped. The guy fought Iginla and broke his F-ing hand. Oh sweet. That is faaan-tastic. Watch, now his busted hand will affect his slap shot and then it won't even be hard or fast anymore. It's pretty obvious that the Oilers should go for the young guns, but the thing is.. you say that in one breath and then say we should trade Cogs in another. I'm not ruling out the idea, I mean the kid has 13 points in 61 games, not exactly something to be proud of. He claims he's not worried, and that since he's doing "other things" right that it doesn't matter how many points he has. Umm Andrew, your not a defenceman here, your suppose to be an "offensive-minded" forward, lets get on it already!

Ethan Moreau, aka "The Captain" will also most likely be traded, but I kind of doubt that we could get much for him, he too has a mere 13 points in 60 games.

Players status:

UFA in 2010: Pisani, Comrie, Strudwick
RFA in 2010: Gagner, Cogliano Pouliot, Brule, Stone, Potulny, Jacques, Grebeshkov, Deslauriers, Dubnyk
No-Trade Clauses: Horcoff, Souray (except for the 6 teams that made his "list"), Visnovsky

The Oilers don't exactly have a lot of options, basically become sellers in a hurry get the best that you can for the guys you have, land Taylor Hall, and hope that young guns are the answer to this predicament.

Another UFC, Another Terrible Card

Keeping with their current theme of producing terrible fight cards with declining pay per view buys, this weekends card is another doozy. Some of the fights could be decent at best, but I wont be paying nearly $50 bucks to watch it, I don't like to throw away money.

The main event is Big Nog vs Cain Velasquez. BORING. It could possibly, have the slightest potential to be a good fight, but not bloody likely. The Co-main event is much more intriguing as Bisping will be taking on Wanderlei Silva! Now, during "The Counts" time on the Ultimate Fighter I didn't really mind the kid, now I utterly despise him, and hope that he gets KTFO'd! Is that so wrong?

Let's face it, I have hated Michael ever since he was the winner of that BS decision over Matt Hamill. Everyone always talks about how great he his.. how hes won this that and the other, well you know what?! Maybe if he wasn't given absolute TOMATO CANS to fight I would shut up, but I mean Charles McCarthy.. Come on!! And then, once he actually gets some real opponents in Rashad Evans and Dan Hendersen then what happens? Oh wait, I remember, umm loss, and devastating KO loss. Yeah he's good alright, why don't you just give him a title shot! (Sarcasm!).

The rest of the card is lack-luster at best with 5 out of 7 fights featuring past TUF contestants, and in 2 bouts their actually fighting eachother. I swear, when the UFC is scrapped for fights they just bring on the old TUF casts and hope that people will watch because they will be like
"Hey, that's the guy from that show. He's alright. I'll watch." Well for me, not so much.

Let the countdown begin for March 27th as a real fighter, GSP, will step back into the octagon. Oh wait, his opponent is Dan Hardy.. DAMN IT!

Refs Hire Hitmen To Kill Pats

The Regina Pats lost their second straight game last night, coincidentally both were by a score of 6-2. Ewwww. The Pats looked good in the first period, keeping the score at 0-0 but seemed frazzled for the wrest of the game. Keep in mind the Hitmen have the top 2 power play and penalty kill in the league so the Pats knew they were in tough. Team Canada member Brandon Kozun had himself a night, and left with a hattrick, hey, the kid is good. Small. But good. Another Team Canada member was in the opposing net as Martin Jones is the Hitmen's unreal goalie, and was recently named the CHL's goaltender of the week (and for good reason). Jones picked up the win and stopped 33 of 35 shots while giving up little to no rebounds.

Scoring for the Hitmen: Kozun(3), Fiddler, Burgart
Scoring for the Pats: Gustafsson, Ashton


The refing was once again "unique" as per usual with Pats games. In the game against Brandon Garret Mitchell became a victim of a head shot and was forced to sit out of this contest with a concussion, but was there a penalty? No. Ofcourse not. Now in this game Cody Carlson was slammed into the boards behind the net and laid there for quite some time and is now also out with a concussion. Penalty? No, why would you even ask. Then there is the matter of Jordan Eberle basically getting raped every night and the ref's seem to refuse to call any penalties. However, god forbid Jordan breathe near someone he gets an insta-penalty. Interesting.

Thankfully, the Moose Jaw Warriors also lost last night, and the Swift Current Broncos only picked up 1 point. Thus, the Warriors and Bronocs are now tied for the final playoff spot with 60 points, and the Pats are trailing by 5.

The Pats have one day of rest and then hit the road where they face the Rebels on Friday and the Oil Kings on Saturday. Good Luck Boys!