Sunday, January 06, 2008

Broncos Host Pats, Molleken Gives Trade Deadline Thoughts

For the fourth time this season the Broncos and the Regina Pats meet up tonight. The Broncos hold a 2-1 season series edge following the New Year's Day matinee overtime win in Regina 2-1.

The new look Pats are still without some of their new acquisitions. Victory Bartley isn't expected to make his debut until next week while J.D. Watt could miss tonight's game because of a suspension or multiple game misconducts. He took and elbowing major penalty in the third period last night against Lethbridge. Watt has already been suspended twice this season.

The Pats will have defenseman Ryan Bender in the line-up after acquiring him from Kamloops. The Regina native made his Pats debut last night vs Lethbridge as did Scott Doucet whom the Pats picked up from Red Deer.

Don't expect Pats captain Logan Pyett back either after the gold medal winning performance in the Czech Republic.

On the Broncos side, Cody Eakin is getting close to returning. He may play tonight but probably will get back in the line-up Wednesday vs Prince Albert. D Ryan Molle and D RJ Larochelle remain out with injuries.

This is the 2nd of four meetings between these teams in the month of January alone. They play again in Regina on the 12th and then back in Regina on the 26th to conclude the six game season series.

Face-off at 7pm from the Credit Union I-plex.

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Saskatoon Blades Head Coach and G.M. Lorne Molleken gave his trade deadline thoughts on last night's broadcast. Once again I appreciate the honesty and openness amongst the G.M's this time of year. ...

On what the Blades are likely to do at the deadline....

"Obviously we're fielding numerous phone calls and we're listening. It's a situation where we're not going to trade any young players. We would look at entertaining some offers for some of our older players. As the next two or three days go by I'm sure things will become a bit more interesting"

On who teams are after on the Blades roster....

"They are looking at our top six forwards and that includes our two overage guys (Fiala and Durand). Gillies in my mind is untouchable and certainly there has been lots of interest in Justin Mcrae. We will sit back and look at it and if the right deal comes along we'll probably make that decision to move forward with it. But to this point we're just listening and we'll see what happens."

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey jon, any comments on what appeared on greg drinnans blog the other day.
"All the suspension does is free him up to spend even more time working the phones in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline. . . . By the way, sources indicate that Chynoweth and the Broncos haven’t actually signed off on that two-year contract extension that was reported to have been agreed to in June. . . ."?
Its quickly becoming a hot topic in Broncoland

Jon Keen said...

That caught me by surprise. Never heard anything official of the extension but there was a deal in principal in place or at least a verbal agreement over the summer.

I wouldn't read much into the comments but who really knows. I don't usually ask those questions.

Anonymous said...

Mr keen. As a poster on whlfans said yesterday your three star selection on Saturday night was once again BRUTAL!!! how the hell can Durand get first star over weiise???!!!

Jon Keen said...

Picking three stars is the easiest job in hockey. People are lining up to do it. Not sure if you get the hint of sarcasm there are not.

But since you asked... Durand had chances all night long and could have had four goals. He managed two and we thought he was the best player on either side Saturday night.

Wiese is a great player and was physical most of the night. He scored two goals as well... one being an empty netter.

He also took a pair of penalties in which Saskatoon scored on.

Honestly, Dale Wiese could be a star most nights. What's wrong with sharing some love to his teammates on that line? As you can see Tassone and Stieler were #2 or #3.

And I suppose you have a problem with last night's three stars too?

1) Stieler - 2g 1a and his best game of the season
2) Strueby - best Pat all night long with Mitchell
3) Dalecky - 1a and a hell of an effort.

It's not as easy as it appears my friend.... the biggest thankless job in hockey.