'Optimistic time for all coaches': Pats prepare for final pre-season tests
CTV
The Regina Pats lost both pre-season games against the Brandon Wheat Kings over the weekend and will finish off with two more games against the Saskatoon Blades and Prince Albert Raiders ahead of the Western Hockey League [WHL] regular season.
The Regina Pats lost both pre-season games against the Brandon Wheat Kings over the weekend and will finish off with two more games against the Saskatoon Blades and Prince Albert Raiders ahead of the Western Hockey League [WHL] regular season.
But the two losses to Brandon were close ones for the Pats. A 1-0 finish followed by a 2-1 loss in overtime in their second game.
Pats head coach, Brad Herauf, is still positive about what he saw from his team.
“Obviously we only scored one goal all weekend long but I think our detail and defensive side of the puck is something we’ve been stressing since day one,” Herauf said. “I think we did a really good job with that. We had tons of scoring chances just didn’t score.”
It was a chance for rookies and veterans to showcase their skillset ahead of the season.
“Cameron Kuzma we had to send him back home, he’s only 15, but the way he played he probably could still be here for us right now. Matteo Michaels has had a real good camp, he’s continued on into the pre-season. Obviously both our goalies only letting in three goals all weekend long, they did a real good job also,” Herauf explained.
“Obviously it’s an optimistic time for all coaches and we’re only playing some half lineups. The game will be a lot different when the real bolts start flying in a couple of weeks. We’ll have most of our older guys playing both games this week so we’ll have a better evaluation at the end of the week.”
