Blues stung by Vipers

Regina -  This was an entertaining game from start to finish and it had just about everything; short handed goals, power play goals and even some big hits.  Unfortunately the Pat Blues came out on the losing end with a 3-1 loss.  The Pat Blues never had the lead in this game and failed to score in the first two periods.  Finally, in the 3rd period Sean Dawson slid a pass across to BFF Donavon Beatty who rifled it on net where it was deflected in by Matthew Chekay.  That was all the Pat Blues could muster, however, as the Vipers added an empty net goal to seal the game for Sask Valley.  The Pat Blues called a timeout in hopes of tying the game but it just wasn't meant to be.  The Pat Blues return to the ice tomorrow afternoon - see you at the Cooperators!

Greetings from Moscow

Moscow, Russia - Ever wonder what it's like to attend a Kontinental Hockey League Game (KHL) live in Russia.  To be honest, I never have either but considering I'm desperate for a new story on the blog this will have to do.  My brother is in Russia and attended a KHL game. Apparently he struck up a conversation with these "gymnasts" from Siberia that were in town to cheer for their KHL team, Sibir Novosibirsk. This may affect page hits for the next few days but he's likely to send me more "content".  WHEN IS THE REGINA TOURNAMENT STARTING....!

Melville: The lighter side

I'm not exactly sure where these "stories" fit in from the weekend but here they are.  One of the referees really captured the attention of the Pat Blues, particularly Tristan Third who was seen chatting with him during the warm-up.  I believe it was his old school helmet with 1/2 cage mask but it was nice to see the smiles on the bench from the Pat Blues.  Looks like Kevin & Dave weren't in on the joke, however!

Also, did anyone else notice that one of the Zamboni drivers bared a striking resemblance to everyone's favourite uncle, Si Robertson, from Duck Dynasty, or was it just me?

Pat Blues driven home by Yorkton & Estevan; lose in the "C" final

Melville, SK - The Pat Blues were 'driven' home down Highway #10 today after suffering two defeats at the hands of Yorkton & Estevan today in Melville.  Things started off well for the Pat Blues as they opened up a 3-0 lead against Yorkton in the first period but ended up losing 6-4.  That game was followed up by a similar story against Estevan where the Pat Blues enjoyed a 4-2 lead before falling to the Bruins by a score of 5-3.  It was a tough weekend for Regina teams at the tournament as they went a combined 1-7 for the weekend and suffered losses in both the C and D final.  Let's put the weekend behind us as the team has several practices before the Graham Teuer tournament over Halloween weekend.

Pat Blues buck Broncos, then get clipped by Wings

Melville, SK - The Regina Pat Blues are in Melville this weekend where they played at the beautiful Horizon Credit Union Place.  What a great rink and, as you can tell by the photo, the fans were really into the games today!

The Pat Blues began their tournament with a match against the Humboldt Broncos.  The Pat Blues scored the first 3 goals of the game in the 1st period before closing out the game with a 6-3 victory.  Matthew Lens was the tournament opening game starter and he looked stellar between the pipes.  Pictured below is Tristan Third doing his best to screen the Broncos goalie.

Next up in the afternoon was an exciting match-up between the Weyburn Red Wings.  I was impressed by the Red Wings who played a disciplined game with an effective power play.  Believe it or not, the Wings actually didn't score on the photo below but they did score 4 times to double the Pat Blues 4-2.  Sean Dawson had a rare double appearance on the score sheet with 2 points and was +2 for the game.  Blake Diewold was in net and he played solid, giving up few rebounds throughout the match.  The Pat Blues take on the always tough Yorkton Terriers tomorrow morning in Melville and that game will decide whether they're in the A, B, C, or D final.

Pat Blues D-man scores endorsement deal with Dodge

Regina, SK - This came as a bit of a shock to me but who would think the Pat's D-man with the least amount of penalty minutes (zero) would get a call from Dodge Trucks to do a commercial for a tough truck? Maybe it was for the same reason that Wilford Brimley sells oatmeal?  Steady, consistent, reliable defenseman....?  That's Seany D.  Anyway, hope you all enjoy Sean's commercial debut!

(Parody Video - Not an actual endorsement!)

Number Nine, Third, scores second goal!

A name like "Third" is a headline writers dream so a special shout-out to Tristan Third for scoring the game-winning goal tonight as the Pat Blues rolled over the Saskatoon Stallions in a spirited match at the Co-operators centre.  The Pat Blues started out slowly and spent more than 1/2 of the first period killing penalties.  Fortunately, the Stallions didn't make them pay for some of those transgressions. Other goals for the Pat Blues tonight came from Matthew Chekay and Carson Denomie.  Blake Diewold was great in goal and it was tough to see his shutout shattered by the Stallions in the last five minutes.  Third, Denomie, & Diewold all made it past the photo editors desk tonight and are featured below:

Chad and Garth - Modern day Statler & Waldorf??

Maybe it was the little wooden private box at the Ritchie but there was something about Chad & Garth's perch at the game last night that reminded me of the elder statesmen on The Muppets:  Statler & Waldorf.  For those unfamiliar with Statler & Waldorf they're two disagreeable old men who heckled the rest of the cast from their balcony seats.  That's where the comparison ends as Chad and Garth have done a great job with the music and announcing this year as it's really pumped the boys up.  Keep up the great work from your perch Chad & Garth!

Pat Blues send Swift Current down the river

Regina, SK -  This was an entertaining game tonight at the Al Ritchie where the Regina Pat Blues improved their record to 2-1 in regular season play with a 6-3 win over the road weary Swift Current Kabos.  In my opinion, this game was really decided in the third period when the Pat Blues took it to a Swift Current team that was playing its second game in as many nights.  Matthew Lenz played outstanding for the Blues and, in my opinion, was the first star of the game (aside from Garth Beatty who drew the winning 50/50 ticket tonight)!

Goal scorers for the Pat Blues included Noah Crowley with 2, and singles from Randen Schmidt, Tristan Third, Donavon Beatty and Matthew Chekay.  I've put a video montage up from the game tonight that includes the Blues taking the ice, Noah Crowley's highlight of the night goal and some post game comments from Blues rookie Randen Schmidt about the play of Lenz.  Next up for the Blues is the Saskatoon Stallions who, coincidentally, are named after fictitious boxer Rocky Balboa, the original Italian Stallion!

Millionaires send Blues of the fiscal cliff!

Melville, SK - It was a penalty filled game in Melville this afternoon.  I haven't seen the final score sheet but the best estimate I could get is in the low 20's for penalty calls for the Blues alone.  Despite a last ditch effort where the Blues pulled their goalie, the game ended as a 2-1 victory for the Millionaires.  Scoring for the Pat Blues was recent Ontario transplant Noah Crowley.  Here's hoping Noah got to keep the puck to celebrate his first goal in Saskatchewan.  Still, the Blues split their two road games this weekend and their record is now at 1-2.  Perhaps some home cooking will work some magic for the Blues next weekend as they have two visitors coming to town.

Pat Blues leave Wilcox with 1st win of the year!

Wilcox, SK - The Regina Pat Blues evened their regular season record to 1-1 with a spirited victory against the Hounds of Notre Dame.  I've got limited information for my post as I wasn't able to make it to the game but I was able to secure a couple of shots from the game action including  'tender Blake Diewold who was the player of the game this afternoon.  I also have a nice shot of a frustrated Hound trying to contain Dean Mason.  Other than that, I pretty much only have texts from my wife Myrna; with my favourite being: "Order 2 pizzas from BP's for the way home, I'm not cooking tonight!"  I did hear that the Pat Blue goal scorers included Jordan Kazymyra, Tristan Third, Noah Kozak, Noah Crowley and Matthew Chekay with two.  Carbo load tonight boys, get a good nights sleep as it's a road trip to Melville tomorrow and a visit to the beautiful Horizon Credit Union Centre where the Pat Blues will face the Millionaires.

Pat Blues fall in opener to Yorkton; lose 7-1

The Regina Pat Blues opened their 2013-'14 season tonight in Regina with a 7-1 loss to the Yorkton Terriers.  No doubt, some of the players had some butterflies at the home opener as many players were making their Bantam AA debut.  Let's give credit to Yorkton as they looked solid in all facets of the game. Had it not been for Alex Kanook's goal in the final couple of minutes of the game, Yorkton would be driving home with a shutout.  Yorkton made the Pat Blues pay for their penalties as their power play was firing on all cylinders during the game.  

 Michael Puglia clears the crease for goalie Matthew Lens

 Jordan Kazymyra signs an autograph following the game

50/50 sales were Brisk at C6!

There was a special guest in town tonight as Fred Gillis, a graduate of the Cross Lake, Manitoba Hockey League and former Hockey Regina coach was in town to take in the action.  Fred knows the game and was often paired with another former Hockey Regina coach Pat Tardif, as they toiled at senior hockey tournaments throughout western Canada.  Fred offered some insight on a couple of Pat Blues that caught his eye at tonight's game:.