The Regina Pats are heading into playoffs looking for a win against the Swift Current Broncos, their newest rivals this season.
This came right after the Pats beat the Broncos in a 3-2 game in overtime the day before, on Friday, March 16. The game was the seventh straight win of the season for the Pats, which was immediately broken by their loss against Swift Current.
With their game from March 17 in mind, some of the Pats players are approaching their upcoming games against the Broncos expecting a challenge ahead. For defenseman, Aaron Hyman, the game against the Broncos is expected to be more difficult.
“It was pretty crazy. I’ve never, played two end of season games like that before in my life so I think it’s a big foreshadowing, you could say, of the playoffs of what it’s going to be like.” Hyman said.
Forward Cameron Hebig sees the challenge, but he is optimistic about the Pats chances. He said, “It’s going to be a tough game. They’re going to be coming out hard, and be very physical and intense so, we’ve got to be ready for that, and like I said it is going to be a challenge, but we’re up for it.”
Hyman agrees with Hebig. “It’s going to be a dogfight of a game. So yeah I’m looking forward to it.”
“Playing Swift (Current) in the first round here will be a good test for us, and we look forward to that, and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Hebig. “We’ve all got to be ready to go as a team, and all pulling on the same rope.”
Looking at the future for the Pats, Hyman said, “We’re just focusing on this series. We want to come in ready to go for Swift (Current), and just be ready to go from there.”
At press time the Pats and the Broncos are tied with one game each.
The next games between the Pats and the Broncos are March 26 (game 3), 28 (game 4), 30 (Game 5), and 31 (game 6) and game 7 will be held on April 2. Games 3, 4 and 6 are being held at the Brandt Centre in Regina at 7:00 pm and games 5 and 7 are in Swift Current at the Credit Union iPlex at 7 p.m. .