Regina makes all the right moves

Regina Pats forward J.D. Watt was acquired from the Red Deer Rebels in one of several moves to bolster their roster

But then, sometimes, a team can make all the right moves.

The latter seems to be the case with the Regina Pats, as the Pats took five of a possible six points this week, defeating Medicine Hat and Saskatoon and losing to Swift Current in a shootout. The Pats’ points-earned streak has now reached a season-high 12 games, a span that has seen them not lose in regulation since Dec. 30, 2007, a 2-1 loss to Saskatoon.

Part of the reason the Pats have been able to carry such momentum is that the club was the most-active team at the CHL transfer deadline earlier this month. Regina, possibly in anticipation of playing the defensive-minded and physical Calgary Hitmen in the playoffs, worked out deals with an eye on getting older, more experienced and far tougher. All told, they brought in six players with a combined 24 WHL seasons and, at the time, increased their penalty minute totals by 217 minutes.

Bringing in forwards J.D. Watt, Scott Doucet and defenseman Dallas Jackson from the Red Deer Rebels, forward Ryan DePape from Prince Albert and defensemen Ryan Bender and Viktor Bartley from the Kamloops Blazers not only filled in some possible holes in their roster, but it sent a message both to Pats players -- new and old -- and fans, that the team was serious about contending for the WHL championship this spring.

The effect has been synergetic. The new players are energized by joining an elite WHL team, as most came from teams either out of or currently battling for playoff positions, and the established players have both fed off of that energy and gained confidence in knowing they are a much stronger and deeper team overall.

Regina’s bolstered roster was on full display this past Sunday as the Pats blew a 4-1 lead but rallied in overtime to steal a win. In the game, five of the players acquired by the Pats recorded at least one point, and two – Watt and Doucet – teamed up on Doucet’s game-winner 1:52 into overtime.

Related Links: J.D. Watt player profile Regina Pats official site Junior Report archive More NHL.com features

The Pats, with 71 points in 53 games, now sit only three points behind the Hitmen for top spot in the Eastern Conference. The two teams will next meet in Calgary on Feb. 19, and then face one another for their final regular-season matchup in Regina on March 2.

However, the Pats were forced to part with some of their stable of young, talented skaters in order to bolster their lineup, including 2007 NHL first-round draft pick, defenseman Nick Ross (PHO).

As always, the verdict on whether mortgaging the future for the present was a good idea will be based on how far the Pats are able to advance in the WHL playoffs; but for now, it seems like the Pats’ managerial staff used a crystal ball on deadline day.

Around the WHL -- Red Deer Rebels forward and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Brandon Sutter made news this week as he and teammates Luke Egener and Brennan Wray helped to recover stolen property from a Red Deer-area Visions electronics store. According to the Red Deer Advocate, the three Rebels were in a truck heading to practice when they noticed someone fleeing the store on foot. They eventually cornered the thief in a parking lot and managed to recover an iPod Touch, though the thief managed to elude capture. … Goaltender Michael Maniago of the Lethbridge Hurricanes won both of his starts this week, and extended his hot streak to eight games, posting a 6-0-1-1 record during that time, with two shutouts and a 1.38 goals-against average. The Hurricanes have managed to keep pace with the Pats, and sit only four points behind them with three games in hand, as they ride a 10-game unbeaten streak. … The Spokane Chiefs won all three of their games during the week, outscoring their opponents by a 14-6 margin as they attempt to secure top spot overall in the Western Conference and hold off both the Vancouver Giants and the Tri-City Americans, who sit six and three points back, respectively, with even games played. Forward Justin McRae of the Hurricanes had a goal and three assists in the three games this week.

Ontario Hockey League

It may have taken Niagara IceDogs forward Luca Caputi a few games, even a few seasons, to find his stride, but since he did, there has been no stopping him.

After scoring only eight goals and nine points in his first two seasons – totaling 80 OHL games -- Caputi exploded offensively last season to the tune of 27 goals and 65 points in 68 games. This season, he has eclipsed those numbers already, as he has now put up 36 goals and 73 points through the first 48 games of the season.

This past week, Caputi, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, scored three goals and added four assists in three games, as the IceDogs won all three and extended their winning streak to four games.

The IceDogs, on the back of their hot streak, now sit four points behind Brampton, with one game in hand, in the race for the Central Division crown.

Matt Martin

Around the OHL -- IceDogs goaltender Sebastian Dahm posted a 3-0-0 record during the week, with a 1.35 GAA and .952 save percentage in the three games. For his efforts, he was named the Boston Pizza Player of the Week for the OHL. He now boasts a 6-2 record with two shutouts with the IceDogs after being acquired from the Sudbury Wolves earlier this month. … This week, the OHL announced its disciplinary action resulting from a postgame brawl that erupted at the end of the Sarnia Sting/Oshawa Generals game Jan. 20. Sting players Matt Martin and Ryan Wilson were handed two-game suspensions, and assistant coach Greg Walters was handed a four-game suspension. For the Generals, Tyler Taylor and assistant coach Sean Murhpy were handed two games each, while head coach Brad Selwood earned three and defenseman James DeLory will serve eight games as a result of his part in the melee. … Despite dropping each of their past three games, the Spirit are still one game above .500, with a 21-20-4-2 record, which means that each team in the highly competitive West Division sits above .500 on the year. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds currently lead the division by five points over the Windsor Spitfires. … London Knights forward Jadran Beljo was held off of the score sheet Sunday for the first time in eight games, as he had put up an eight-goal, 15-point streak during the previous seven games. This week, Beljo had three goals and three assists in three games as the Knights won each of their three games, and ran their winning streak to six. … Drew Doughty had three assists in two wins this week as he and his Guelph Storm stretched their unbeaten streak to six games. They sit third in the Midwest Division behind the Kitchener Rangers and the London Knights.

United States Hockey League

The Ice continue to burn up the USHL.

Indiana managed to hold off the Omaha Lancers for another week in the overall USHL standings race, and it currently leads the league in total points (54), goals for (141), fewest losses (7), and is tied for most wins (25).

The Ice now boast an overall record of 25-7-4 through 36 games played.

Greg Squires scored one goal and added five assists for a six-point week, helping his team take two of their three games. Squires is now tied for third in the USHL points race with 15 goals and 44 points through 36 games.

For his efforts, Squires was awarded the RBK Hockey Offensive Player of the Week. He is also riding a four-game points streak with two goals and nine points in that span.

Around the USHL -- Rob Madore of the Chicago Steel may have only had one start this week, but he made the most of it. Madore shut out the Green Bay Gamblers with a 17-save effort, and earned the Stauber’s Goalcrease Goaltender of the Week honors for his performance. … The Lincoln Stars’ 10-game winning streak is done as the Waterloo Blackhawks defeated the Stars in overtime Saturday night. … Defenseman Mike Walsh of the Chicago Steel scored one goal this week, but it was enough to earn him CCM Offensive Player of the Week honors. The goal was the winner Saturday against the Gamblers.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan, mired in a three-game winless drought, have fired coach Denis Francoeur, the team announced Tuesday.

Francoeur leaves the Titan with a 23-22-1-2 record in 48 games, good for seventh overall in the Eastern Conference and tied for 11th in the entire QMJHL.

He was replaced with Ron Choules, who was both coach and manager of the Junior AAA Kahnawake Condors and a scout for the Titan organization prior to his promotion to head coach.

Around the QMJHL --The St. John’s Fog Devils will have a new home next year, as the QMJHL officially announced the team would be relocating to the Montreal suburb of Verdun for the start of the 2008-09 season. The sale to local businessman Farrel Miller and the movement plans were announced in a league-wide conference call Jan. 25. … Rouyn-Noranda forward Brett Morrison scored three goals and nine points in only two games this week, both Huskies’ wins, as the 20-year-old forward climbed to a tie for second in league scoring with 70 points in 47 games. He was awarded the Telus Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts. … Quebec Remparts forward Kelsey Tessier scored four goals and six points in two Remparts wins this week and Tessier climbed to No. 12 overall in league scoring. … Telus Defensive Player of the Week was awarded to Fog Devils defenseman T.J. Brennan this week, as he and his teammates swept a four-game week. Brennan scored one goal, a game-winner, and added four assists and a plus-2 rating in the four wins.