Guess why. I dare you.
Yes, the Pats won. Well, they didn’t just win, Dawson Guhle is no longer a WHL shut out virgin. That is correct. The Pats beat one of the top teams in the dub 3-0. That is right. There is a zero in the score, and it’s most certainly not the Pats’. I think it would suffice it to say that we kicked the Blades’ asses (excuse my language!).
I know that it is easy to jump on bandwagons. Heck, we all do it. If we didn’t all do it, there would be no wagon to which we all leap. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that it is easy to criticize in times of struggle and easy to celebrate in times of victory. I suppose the Pats are kind of sitting in both right now. The playoffs aren’t looking so good right now, considering the nine points deficit with only seven games left. Having said that, stranger things have happened. Much stranger. Regardless, I hope the Pats can keep up this sudden intensity. While it has only yielded one win out of four, the team really jived and the games have been nothing short of exciting and extraordinary. Whether they make the playoffs or not, I hope the Pats go out with a bang, which is what they will do if they continue to play like they have been lately.
In my opinion, the Pats are consistently inconsistent. Shut out the Blades, but lose the Broncos in the last 5? That’s just one example. Yes, there is always the reasoning that different teams, different nights, different line ups, etc., but the team is either working as a unit or not, and it’s hard to predict when that will happen. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the new found coherence sticks around until the end of the season, and that it truly is the team coming together, not a fluke.
Now, on to the happy and good stuff! The three lovely goals the Pats earned tonight were courtesy of Jordan Eberle and Matt Strueby. Ah, yes. Not a shocker, but great to see. Surprisingly, Weal was left off the score sheet tonight, even in assists, although he was a force when he was on the ice. Eberle potted the first goal early in the second with the aid of Myles Bell, while Strueby dumped in a real slimy one thanks to Brett Leffler (and Dominic Faverau who didn’t get an assist on it, but really and truly set up the play and deserves some cootos for it) . The final goal was an empty net shot by Eberle who was assisted by Leffler and Strueby. I guess, with the exception of Bell, the night really featured the older guys on the team (even in penalties… with the exception of Cass Mappin and Bell, only the senior players on the team were in the box — I’ve come to expect it from Colten Teubert, but even Eberle got a call for slashing). They are the ones who should be stepping it up and leading their team, and they are!
More good news: EBERLE IS NOW THE WHL LEADING SCORER. That is right. He has the most points. He is still behind in goals scored, but man is he getting up there. He also regained the Pats’ leading scorer (in goals and points) from Jordan Weal, who had it for only a short few days. Eberle is currently sitting at 45 goals, so it would be great to hit 50 by the end of the season, which is only seven games. But he can do it. He’s Eberle (oh, and he is so totally goooood looking, not that looks really help his scoring, at least on the ice).
So what’s up for the newly reformed Pats? Well, they head back to Speedy Creek to face the Broncos. I have a good feeling about this match up, and am pretty much praying for victory. I think it will definitely be an intense battle, hopefully with a good solid fight. Mostly, I just hope that fight doesn’t involve Garrett Mitchell. The poor guy spends more time getting hurt that playing. I hope he has an injury-free game.
Well, I guess this is the point in time where I sign off with GO PATS GO!! Good luck, boys!
The Pats - According to a Lady 