WHL Regina Pats

Hot Rockets Edge Pats 4-3

Published on December 11, 2015 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Regina, Saskatchewan - The Regina Pats (14-13-2-1) matched up with the league leading Kelowna Rockets (23-6-1-0) on Teddy Bear Toss Night presented by Global Regina. Taylor Cooper scored the Teddy Bear Goal in the first period, but the Rockets responded with three of their own in the frame en route to downing the Pats, 4-3.

Scoring Summary

First Period

Kelowna - Cal Foote (4) from Lind and Stadel - 4:50

Regina - Taylor Cooper (4) - Unassisted - 10:02

Kelowna - Cole Linaker (12) from Baille and Dube - 14:38 (PP)

Kelowna - Dillon Dube (13) from Lind - 19:20

Second Period

Kelowna - Justin Kirkland (11) from Linaker - 17:51

Regina - Adam Berg (5) from Brooks and Wagner -18:40

Third Period

Regina - Connor Hobbs (9) from Steel and Williams - 18:29 (PP)

Shots on Goal

Regina - 11-12-12-(35) Kelowna - 9-5-4-(18)

Powerplay

Regina - 1/3 Kelowna - 1/3

Game Story

Jake Leschyshyn nearly sent in the teddy bears a couple minutes into the game, but Jackson Whistle came up with a great stop to keep the game scoreless. The Rockets rewarded their goaltender's efforts when Cal Foote opened the scoring. The rookie defender protected the puck from Connor Hobbs, before stepping around Tyler Brown to tuck in his fourth goal of the season. At the midway point of the frame, it was teddy bear time. Taylor Cooper beat his man wide, waited out a defender, then picked the short side corner to start the 2,134 toys coming down to the ice. After the cleanup, the Rockets retook the lead when Cole Linaker tapped in a brilliant Tyson Baille pass with just over five minutes left. Dillon Dube made it 3-1 in the final minute, accepting a Kole Lind pass before firing one to the back of the net.

The Pats put the pressure on in the second frame, outshooting the Rockets 12-5, but were unable to gain ground. Jared McAmmond nearly pulled the Pats within one with back-to-back scoring chances, but one hit the post and the other was turned away by Whistle. A couple minutes later, Connor Hobbs drove a wrist shot off the outside of the post. Just ahead of the final two minutes, Tyson Baille's shot squeaked through Brown before Justin Kirkland poked it to the back of the net. Just 49 seconds later, Adam Berg got it back as he shoveled in an Adam Brooks rebound to cut the lead back to 4-2.

The Pats looked to rookie goaltender Jordan Hollett to close out the game as he stepped between the pipes in relief of Brown. The press continued with the Blue and White outshooting the Rockets by a 12-4 mark. With time winding down, the Pats finally got within one. Connor Hobbs accepted a pass in stride before burning his way down the wing, cutting out in front of the net and flicking a backhand to the top corner with 1:31 left. The Pats continued a furious rain of shots to the net as the seconds ticked down, but Jackson Whistle had all the answers as the hosts fell by a 4-3 mark.

Quick Hits

- Taylor Cooper scored his second career Teddy Bear Goal at 10:02 of the first period.

- Fans threw 2,134 bears on to the ice. Players deliver the teddy bears to local Regina care centres on December 17.

- Game attendance was 4,511.

What's Next?

The Pats continue their three game home stand tomorrow night when they host the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a 7 p.m. puck drop. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.ca, the Brandt Centre Box Office and Safeway locations throughout Regina.

Check out the Regina Pats Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2015


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