Pats have say in first-round opponent
The Regina Pats have a simple solution to a rather complex playoff equation. Don’t think, just play. Although the Pats are already locked into second place in the East Division, the race for third is anything but settled, with the Swift Current Broncos and Moose Jaw Warriors going down to the wire for the right to face Regina in the first round of the WHL playoffs.
The Broncos, who’ve lost seven in a row, are just two points ahead of Moose Jaw with five games left in their regular season. The Prince Albert Raiders are also a mathematical threat, trailing Swift Current by six points with six games remaining.
Intentionally or not, Regina will have a say in which team claims the final playoff berth in the East Division.
The Pats face the Warriors twice this weekend — tonight in Moose Jaw and Saturday at the Brandt Centre — before closing out the schedule next week with a homeand-home set against the Raiders.
“I don’t think it really matters who we play,” offered Pats goalie Daniel Wapple. “You try not to think about (the different scenarios). We just have to go out and play and the rest will take care of itself.”
The Pats took care of business on Wednesday in Swift Current, skating to a 4-1 win. That improved their record against the Broncos to 3-5-0. Regina has had more success versus the Warriors, going 4-0-2, but head coach John Paddock insists he doesn’t have a preference for which team the Pats face in the playoffs.
“If I did care, I wouldn’t tell you, but I don’t care; it’s totally irrelevant,” said Paddock, who believes his team is focused on finishing the regular season strong — regardless of the playoff possibilities.
“We probably played our two best road games back to back all year these last two games (beating Swift Current on Wednesday and losing 5-3 to Prince Albert on Tuesday). I don’t think our players’ mindset is on anything but what it’s supposed to be on, going out and playing.”
The Broncos have far less room for error. The remainder of their schedule comprises two games against Prince Albert, one versus Moose Jaw and two against the cellar-dwelling Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The Warriors have a tougher road, facing Regina twice and the Broncos once before closing out the schedule with a home-andhome set against the conferenceleading Brandon Wheat Kings.
For their part, the Pats don’t plan on doing Moose Jaw any favours.
“We’re not going to let up at all,” said captain Braden Christoffer. “The plan is to play like we’re playing.
“Going into playoffs, you want as much momentum as you can get and to be playing the best hockey you can. I don’t think it really matters who we’re going to play. We’re a strong enough team to play anybody in the league and do just fine.”
The Pats are also aware of the role momentum can play in a series. Last season, they finished first in the East Division but lost their final two games of the regular season, both against Brandon.
By virtue of those two games, the Wheat Kings snuck into the playoffs and earned a first-round matchup with Regina, eventually skating to a four-game sweep.
The Pats don’t want to see history repeat itself, which is why they’re not taking anything for granted this weekend against the Warriors.
“You don’t want to give anybody momentum, especially a team you’re going to possibly be playing in the playoffs,” added Christoffer. “You want to put a little bit of doubt in their minds, no matter who it is. That’s what we’re trying do.”