Teubert ready for anything

r

r

Colten Teubert realizes the No. 2 on his back might look like a giant target in the eyes of the Moose Jaw Warriors.

r

But does he care?

r

"No, I don't think it affects my game at all," said the Regina Pats' defenceman, flashing a gap-toothed grin. "It's just a little more exposure because everyone is trying to run me. I don't know what else is going to happen, but we'll see."

r

Teubert will find out tonight at the Brandt Centre when the Warriors and Pats tangle for the first time since Oct. 14 — the same night Teubert levelled Warriors captain Riley Holzapfel with a controversial open-ice hit. Teubert was forced to serve a two-game suspension while Holzapfel is finally poised to return after missing six games with a concussion.

r

Teubert went as far as to say he hopes Holzapfel is indeed on the ice tonight and plays well. That said, if the Warriors have revenge on their minds, Teubert is prepared to give as good as he gets.

r

"Whatever they've got I guess I'm just going to have to match it with my game," said the tough-as-nails blueliner. "We're out there to win and we're gonna do whatever it takes. Plain and simple, I'm not changing the way I play. It's not like I was going out there intending to hurt anybody. Stuff happens. It's part of the game."

r

There are varying opinions on whether Teubert deserved a suspension. The WHL exonerated him of malicious intent, but deemed the check "a little late."

r

It may also have been poor timing given the recent debate on blows to the head.

r

"There definitely is a grey area (on the hit)," noted Teubert. "If you ask lots of Pats fans they'll say it was a clean hit and if you ask fans from Moose Jaw they'll say it's a dirty hit.

r

"They're trying to stop the hits to the head and I know the NHL is definitely taking a beating for that right now too. I guess I was just used as an example. I served my suspension. I'm just happy to be back."

r

The last meeting between Moose Jaw and Regina degraded into a game of intimidation after the Warriors blew open a 0-0 tie with four third-period goals. Moose Jaw's players were pre-occupied with chasing Teubert around the ice, while the Pats were determined to leave with a moral victory.

r

Could there be a carryover in tonight's game? Don't bet against it, especially since Moose Jaw and Regina are the two most-penalized teams in the WHL.

r

"Business will pick up," said Pats centre Kirt Hill. "From the game we had in Moose Jaw, the rivalry is strong and going hard."

r

In the midst of those fireworks, Hill was speared in the groin by Warriors goaltender Joey Perricone, who escaped a suspension. With that incident in mind, Hill plans to have all his equipment in order for the rematch — especially his jock strap.

r

"Definitely I'll make sure that's done up," he said with a smile, adding that any vendettas will take a back seat to claiming two crucial points within their own division. "We've lost our last two so things are kind of tightening up in the room. Guys know we're under a little bit more pressure. I don't think guys will be going out there trying to kill somebody early on. A lot of guys got that stuff out of their system last time. Everyone is just going to do their job. It'll be hard-hitting, that's all I know. It's our biggest rivals so the guys are going to come to play."

r

Asked for his two cents, head coach Curtis Hunt emphasized the need for his team to "play in the present." That said, he didn't dismiss the presence of hard feelings, noting that "this series will always give you something."

r

"You hold grudges," he added. "I think what makes rivalries (great) is that competitive nature. In order to have success you have to be competitive every time you get on the ice. I wouldn't say we're gonna be void of our history together. At the same time, we'll play the game as it's played."

r