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Regina Pats

Game Day Preview: Pats at Red Deer

November 22, 2013 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Game #25

Friday, November 22nd

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. MST

Regina Pats (13-11-0-0) Red Deer Rebels (11-12-0-1)

Head-to-Head

The Regina Pats (13-11-0-0) take to the ice for the first time in almost a week when they face the Red Deer Rebels (11-12-0-1). Tonight marks the second time the teams match up this season, and second at the Enmax Centrium in Red Deer. The first meeting of the season resulted in a 4-1 win for the Rebels. Chandler Stephenson scored the lone goal for the Pats while Conner Bleackley posted a three point (1G, 2A) night in the victory. Rookie goalie Taz Burman made 16 stops for his first WHL victory. Coming into tonight's game, the Blue and White got back on the winning side in their final U.S. Division contest before returning to Regina for a well deserved break. The Rebels saw a four game winning streak come to an end Wednesday night when they dropped a 4-3 decision to the Kootenay Ice. This evening's game can be heard on 620 CKRM starting at 7:35 p.m. CST.

Lead Up: Pats Need Shutout to Dump Chiefs 3-2

In their final game of the U.S. Division road swing, the Pats held WHL leading scorer Mitch Holmberg off the board. With that scoring threat neutralized, Dryden Hunt opened the scoring for Regina in the second before Spokane's Adam Helewka responded. The Chiefs took the lead in the third on Mike Aviani's 20th of the season, but Dyson Stevenson would bring the Pats even again. Extra time didn't solve anything, and Boston Leier scored the shootout winner.

How the West Was Won

The Pats broke the U.S. Division's dominance over the Eastern Conference on their latest swing, posting a 3-2-0-0 record in their five road games. In doing so, the Pats became the first team in the Conference to win more than one game against a U.S. Division opponent with the rest of the East posting a combined 4-21-2-1 record South of the border.

Game on His Stick

It shouldn't come as any surprise Boston Leier scored the shootout winner in the Pats' 3-2 win over Spokane. Leier is one of only three players with two shootout winners on the season (Leon Draisaitl - PA, Curtis Valk - MH). He also five game winning goals (four as a Pat) on the season to tie him with Edmonton's Curtis Lazar for second in the WHL.

Respectable Rookie

Pats 17-year old rookie Chase Harrison is putting together a solid season on the Pats' back-end. Through 12 games, the former MMHL Defenceman of the Year has three assists (two in his previous two games) and is an impressive +6 when it comes to his plus/minus rating. Harrison has only finished two games with a minus rating this year, both times a -1.

Who to Watch on Red Deer

Forward Conner Bleackley is making his second WHL season an impressive one. The 2014 NHL Draft prospect blew past his 2012-13, 66 game total of 18 points and currently sits with 25 points (10G, 15A) in 23 games this season. Bleackley will also join Pats Chandler Stephenson and Morgan Klimchuk on Team WHL for the Subway Super Series.

Movember

The Pats are ranked in the top 15 in the CHL for Movember donations. Help the Pats to the top of the leaderboard by visiting the Pats' team Mo-Space and donating to support Men's Health Initiatives.

Upcoming Schedule

at Medicine Hat - Saturday, November 23rd, 8:30 p.m. CST - Medicine Hat Arena (CKRM)

vs. Prince Albert - Friday, November 29th, 7:00 p.m. - Brandt Centre (CKRM/Access 7)

vs. Moose Jaw - Saturday, November 30th, 7:00 p.m. - Brandt Centre (CKRM)

Check out the Regina Pats Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2013


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