WHL Regina Pats

Game Day Preview: Pats vs. Saskatoon

Published on February 8, 2014 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Game #55

Saturday, February 8th

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CST

Regina Pats (27-22-3-2) Saskatoon Blades (15-38-1-3)

Head-to-Head

The Regina Pats (27-22-3-2) take on the Saskatoon Blades (15-38-1-3) tonight as Pats honour their namesake, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and celebrate the regiment's 100th Anniversary. It's the seventh time this season the Pats and Blades meet with Regina having won all seven meetings between the clubs. Chandler Stephenson leads the Pats with eleven points (4G, 7A) in six games against the Blades. Nikita Scherbak is the top Blade, featuring eight points (2G, 6A) in five games against Regina. This evening's game is broadcast on 620 CKRM starting at 6:35 p.m.

PPCLI 100th Anniversary Celebration

The Pats will honour the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry's 100th Anniversary in a pre-game ceremony featuring a performance from the 2 PPCLI Drum Line, special guest messages and the game puck delivery from the

2 PPCLI Rappel Team. The first 2,500 fans in the building will receive a Morgan Klimchuk/PPCLI Collector Cup courtesy of McDonald's.

Honouring a Champion

The Pats also have the opportunity to honour Superbowl Champion and Regina native, Jon Ryan of the Seattle Seahawks during the game. Ryan is the first Saskatchewan-born football player to be a member of a Superbowl winning team.

Lead Up: Pats' Winning Ways Halted by Tigers in 4-1 Loss

As with the Pats games on the weekend, the second period carried the bulk of the scoring, but it would be the visitors getting on the board. The Tigers scored three unanswered in the middle frame (Tommy Vannelli, Trevor Cox and Curtis Valk) before Chandler Stephenson got the Pats on the board with a penalty shot goal. Marek Langhammer did the rest of the work, turning away 41 Pats shots to push the Tigers to the 4-1 road win.

Favourite Matchup

Pats forward Dryden Hunt has enjoyed his recent games against the Saskatoon Blades. The Nelson, B.C. native has ten points against Saskatoon on the season. His six goals versus the Blades leads the Pats. Hunt has points in the last five matchups with the Blades and five points (3G, 2A) in the previous two games of the season series.

Tough to Beat

The Pats have only allowed 14 goals in their season series with the Blades, much of that number is due to strong goaltending. Dawson MacAuley holds a 2.45 GAA and 0.911 SV% in four contests. Splitting time between Regina and Medicine Hat, Daniel Wapple has a 2.00 GAA and a 0.921 SV% in five games. Wapple has won both his starts as a Pat putting up a shutout in the teams' previous meeting.

Production from the Blue-Line

The Blue and White have improved the production out of their defence this season. The Pats' blue-line has combined for 19 goals through 54 games this season compared to their 72 game total of 16 last season. The biggest improvement in the goal column comes from Colby Williams' 7 on the year while Kyle Burroughs has matched his 70 game total of 5 from last year in 44 games.

Upcoming Schedule

vs. Kootenay - Wednesday, February 12th, 7:00 p.m. - Brandt Centre (CKRM)

at Prince Albert - Friday, February 14th, 7:00 p.m. - Art Hauser Centre (CKRM)

vs. Swift Current - Saturday, February 15th, 7:00 p.m. - Brandt Centre (CKRM)

Check out the Regina Pats Statistics

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