Pats OK with cut in number of games next season
Four fewer games fine for WHL team entering rebuild
It’s going to be beneficial for extra practice time and skill time. Less games leaves (more of) those moments during the year.
When it comes to the WHL schedule, Dave Struch believes less is more.
The Regina Pats assistant coach/ assistant GM gave a thumbs-up on Tuesday when the league unveiled a new 68-game slate for each of its 22 teams.
The WHL board of governors voted in October to shave four games off its traditional 72-game schedule, resulting in continuity among the CHL’s three leagues.
The QMJHL reduced its schedule to 68 games in 2008-09, while the OHL has been playing a 68game slate since 1998-99.
The WHL adopted a 72-game schedule in 1975-76 and maintained that number until now.
“Because it’s shortened there’s going to be more days for rest and recovery,” noted Struch, who is expected to serve as Regina’s head coach next season. “Depending on the coach and your team’s needs, it’s going to be beneficial for extra practice time and skill time. Less games leaves (more of ) those moments during the year.”
Struch believes the reduced schedule will benefit his team specifically because the Pats are entering a rebuild mode after playing host to the 2018 Memorial Cup.
With a younger team next season, it won’t hurt to have more practice time and a less demanding schedule.
“We’re going to be a different group this year,” Struch said. “We’re going to have to really work on our play away from the puck and, because we’re going to be a hard-working team, our recovery and our rest is going to be important. This will allow (more time) when we need it.
“That’s good stuff for us.”
The four-game reduction means fewer games for each team within its own division next season. The Pats will maintain an eight-game season series against the Moose Jaw Warriors and Brandon Wheat Kings but their schedule against the Swift Current Broncos, Prince Albert Raiders and Saskatoon will be just six games apiece.
In the past, they would play eight games against four of the five East Division opponents.
It will remain status quo outside their division as Regina continues to play four games against each Central Division club while facing the Western Conference teams just once per season.
With a lighter schedule, the Pats will not be required to play four games in five days next season. However, they still have three games in three nights on two occasions.
“In a year like this after the Memorial Cup, it’s good for us (to have a couple of challenging weekends) with new players,” Struch added. “It’s good to experience that kind of stuff and make it a little bit more difficult for our group just to work and have to battle through adversities. Those are very important things. Overall I think it’s really good for us.”
NOTES: One of Regina’s busiest stretches is the annual west coast road swing in November, comprising six games in 11 days … The Pats are slated to play two home-andhome sets against the Warriors and three versus the Wheat Kings. Regina opens the season with a home-and-home versus the Prince Albert Raiders (Sept. 21 in P.A. and Sept. 22 in Regina) ... The reduced schedules means fewer weekday games. Regina’s home-ice breakdown is as follows: 12 games on Friday, nine on Saturday, five on Sunday, two on Tuesday and six on Wednesday.