WHL Regina Pats

Game Day Preview: Pats at Saskatoon

Published on December 13, 2013 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Game #33

Friday, December 13th

Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m.

Regina Pats (17-13-1-1) Saskatoon Blades (10-21-1-2)

Head-to-Head

The Regina Pats (17-13-1-1) go up against the Saskatoon Blades (10-21-1-2) for the second time in one week and third on the season. The Pats took the last meeting between the teams, 3-2, in Saskatoon and hold a 2-0-0-0 record in action with the Blades this season. Dyson Stevenson leads the Blue and White with five points (3G, 2A) in two games against Saskatoon. Nathan Burns leads the Blades against Regina with four goals, all of them coming in the teams' first tilt. Coming into tonight's contest, the Pats look to avoid losing two in a row after they fell, 4-3, in the shootout to Kamloops While the Blades hope to snap a seven game slide after a 3-1 loss to Edmonton on Tuesday. This evening's game can be heard on 620 CKRM starting at 6:35 p.m.

Lead Up: Wild Finish Results in 3-2 Loss for Pats

The night was going well for the Pats after celebrating a successful Teddy Bear Toss in the first period on Boston Leier's 21st goal of the year, the Blue and White held a 2-1 lead over Kamloops late in the third. The Blazers would tie things late, and quickly add the go-ahead marker with under one minute left on the clock. Leier and some puck luck would salvage a point for the Pats as he scored off a skate to tie things just seconds later. The shootout numbers favoured the Pats, but they wouldn't be able to beat goaltender Taran Kozun and the Blazers walked out of Regina 4-3 winners.

Breaking a Streak

The Pats' 3-2 win in Saskatoon last week was their first win after ten straight losses at the Credit Union Centre. Their previous win came on March 10th, 2010. In their last fifteen trips (inc. Saturday), the Pats are 3-11-1-0 in the Bridge City.

Acclimating to the League

After only registering one point in the month of October, Dmitry Sinitsyn is finding the scoresheet with increasing regularity. The Moscow, RUS native had nine points (1G, 8A) in November and already has four assists in December, registering points in three out of four games this month. With those numbers, Sinitsyn sits tied for 11th in rookie scoring.

Penalty Killing

Despite still being ranked last in the WHL while down a man, the Pats' penalty kill (71.6%) has seen a turnaround in recent games. The Pats PK has killed nine straight penalties over the last two games including four against the Blades' top ranked unit.

Who to Watch on Saskatoon

It was a tumultuous start to the season for forward Cory Millette. The former Rebel found himself reassigned to the Estevan Bruins (SJHL) by Red Deer, then traded to the Blades. In 28 games this season, Millette has 14 points (8G, 6A) with a goal and an assist coming against the Pats last week.

Upcoming Schedule

vs. Kelowna - Saturday, December 14th, 7:00 p.m. - Brandt Centre (CKRM)

at Medicine Hat - Sunday, December 15th, 7:00 p.m. CST - Medicine Hat Arena (CKRM)

at Calgary - Tuesday, December 17th, 8:00 p.m. CST - Scotiabank Saddledome (CKRM)

Check out the Regina Pats Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2013


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