Pat Canadians have 1-2 punch in goal
Fans show voracious appetite for tickets as team heads into Game 7 showdown
Robservations ...
Marijuana is to be legalized in Canada, effective July 1, 2018. That would be, er, Cannabis Day. Turning to sports ...
The Regina Pats played before their 20th sellout crowd of the season at the Brandt Centre on Monday, when the Swift Current Broncos provided the worthy opposition in Game 7 of a WHL Eastern Conference semifinal. Never before has there been such a voracious appetite for Pats tickets. The team’s success at the gate is a testament to the imprint made by the Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group since it assumed control of the franchise in 2014.
Keep in mind, though, that the Russ Parker-owned Pats also raised the bar over a 19-year-period that preceded the acquisition of the team by Anthony Marquart and friends. Remember, too, that the Pats’ future in Regina was imperilled before Bill Hicke, Ted Knight, Morley Gusway, Jack Nicolle and Huddy Bell stepped forward and stabilized the team in 1986. So many people have played an integral role in the gradual evolution of the Pats into a box office powerhouse.
The only downside to the thirst for Pats tickets: Vultures who sell them online at a considerable mark up.
Swift Current’s Credit Union iplex is an aging, yet engaging, venue for junior hockey.
The atmosphere is superb. The people of Swift Current should take a bow for supporting the Broncos as they do.
The Washington Capitals’ late season call-up of 25-year-old Garrett Mitchell, who played his first NHL game on April 9, continues to resonate with people who feel good for the former Pats captain. Consider this comment from erstwhile Pats general manager Brent Parker: “I would like to commend the Capitals on a firstclass gesture. It certainly speaks volumes about their organization. I don’t know of any player we had in my time that is more deserving of this opportunity. He’s a tremendous young man with a great work ethic, and he’s all about the organization. Honestly, I couldn’t get the smile off my face. I was so happy for him.”
Without much fanfare, the Pats’ Tyler Brown tied the longstanding franchise single-season record for shutouts. Brown registered five goose eggs during the 2016-17 regular season, equalling Warren Fisher’s total of 1967-68. (Brown was named the WHL’s goaltender of the week on Monday, by the way.)
Officiating in hockey playoffs, regardless of the level, is inconsistent and infuriating. From one game to the next, nobody has any idea what standard will be applied. Elite players are routinely mugged. Hooking, by all appearances, is now legal. Ditto for cross-checking. The NHL should set the tone by ensuring that skill is accentuated instead of minimized, but what are the chances of that happening?
Kudos to Access Communications for televising the Pats Broncos series. The radio playby-play of CKRM’s Phil Andrews has also been top notch.
Can’t the brightest minds in the NHL come up with something better than “get pucks deep?” The game is devoid of innovation at the highest level.
There’s far too much excitement over an immaculately produced workout video that was recently posted by Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Vince Young. Anyone can look impressive on YouTube. The online highlight reel of Aaron Fairooz (remember him?) made him look like a hybrid of Ray Elgaard, Joey Walters and Jerry Rice, but a long and prosperous CFL career was not in the cards. The first meaningful test for Young will come next week at the Roughriders’ mini-camp in Vero Beach, Fla. Mind you, mini-camps can also be deceiving (see: Chaz Schilens).
The Roughriders’ Jeremy O’Day is reportedly a candidate to become the Edmonton Eskimos’ next GM. This would seem to be a logical time for O’Day to move up the administrative ladder. If the Roughriders enjoy a resurgence this year, Chris Jones and John Murphy will receive most of the credit. And if the Roughriders continue to falter, it will simply be ugly for everyone.
Nice people who deserve a
■ plug: George Reed, Clark Munroe, Tony Frei, Garrett Mitchell, Graham Barker, Doug Exner, Margaret Exner, Steve Mazurak, Keith Quittenbaum, David Burns, John and Sally Elliott, John and Rosemarie StrotherStewart, Laurel Josvanger, Phil Andrews, Sherv Shragge, Ben Szumack, Pat Kutasi and Jeff Lightheart.