BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – Top five thoughts after the opening weekend of the SMAAAHL playoffs…
- The biggest storyline is developing in the WHL – not the SMAAAHL. The status of Maddox Schultz – the 15-year-old phenom for the Regina Pats and the Regina Pat Canadians – is unknown after he was injured Saturday night in the WHL. According to Dave Thomas of Harvard Media, “Schultz, who was Regina’s most dangerous player all night, left the game in the third period after taking a point shot in the midsection while tied up on a defensive-zone face-off. He struggled to his feet, tossed his gloves aside on the Pats bench, and immediately headed to the dressing room. There was no post-game update on his condition.” Schultz had two goals and an assist before leaving the game. To no surprise, he was not dressed for the Pat Cs victory agains the Saskatoon Contacts on Sunday afternoon. Schultz’s status may become more clear on Tuesday – when the Pats host Medicine Hat and the Pat Cs are in Saskatoon for Game 2 of their quarter-final series.
- The intensity and drama goes up a few notches in the post-season. The latest example came Saturday night in Swift Current after an apparent interaction between fans and the visiting Estevan Innovex Bears. That will surely add fuel to the fire for Game 2 on Tuesday night in a near must-win for the Bears on home ice against the Legionnaires.
- It will be interesting to see how the Saskatoon Contacts play the opening 20 minutes on Tuesday night at Merlis Belsher Place against the Pat Cs in Game 2 of their quarter-final series. Regina defeated Saskatoon 4-2 in Game 1 on Sunday (and poured 32 shots on net) but the Contacts won the third period and proved they could beat the #1 team in the country during a late regular-season match-up. With a tight turnaround to Game 3 – less than 24 hours later on Wednesday in Regina – the Contacts need to hold serve at home.
- Scribbled on a white board in the Saskatoon Blazers coaches’ room are the numbers: 16-4-2. That was the Blazers record on home ice at the Rod Hamm Arena during the regular season. Including Saturday’s 10-0 victory in Game 1 against Warman, the Blazers have won 17 of their last 23 home games.
- It will be intriguing to watch how Regina Pat Canadians head coach Ryan Hodgins deploys his two talented goaltenders in the playoffs. Ben Meyer – who just turned 16 – was named the league’s top goaltender in the regular season with a 2.11 GAA and .922 SV% in 19 wins. Adam Muntain, who is about to turn 17, also had 19 victories in the regular season. Hodgins gave the net to Muntain in Game 1 on Sunday. “It’s a good problem to have,” quipped Hodgins. “I’m confident with both of them.”
