Pats Look for Back-to-Back Wins
Published on January 23, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release
The Regina Pats (15-27-4-3) entertain the Calgary Hitmen (24-17-5-2) tonight at 7:00 in the Agridome. It's the first of a four-game homestand for Regina, who's looking to break out of a seven game home-ice winless skid. The Pats are coming off of a 2-1 victory in Saskatoon Sunday, ending a nine-game winless streak. Paul Albers and Lance Morrison scored the goals while Dustin Slade made 26 saves for his first win in a Pats' uniform. The Pats are 1-1-0-1 versus Calgary this season.
PATS' NOTES: Regina is 9-8-2-1 at home and 1-7-2 in their past 10 games. They enter the night six points behind Brandon for third-place in the East Division and 15 up on Saskatoon for the final playoff spot. Rick Rypien is the team's leading scorer (14-18-32) followed by Dan Waschuk (16-15-31) and Lance Morrison (10-20-30). Rypien is also the team's PM leader (136) while newcomers Brent Hill and David Jacobson lead the team in +/- at -2. The Pats are the 5th-most penalized team in the WHL. They are 9-6-0-2 versus the Central Division.
HITMEN NOTES: Calgary is 11-8-2-1 on the road, and 6-4-0 in their past 10. They stand third-place in the Central Division, three points behind Medicine Hat and four up on Red Deer. Their leading scorer is Andrew Ladd (18-27-45) followed by Lee Zalasky (17-24-41) and Ryan Getzlaf (13-26-39). Getzlaf is questionable for tonight's game with a foot injury. Mike Egener leads the team in PM (150) and plus/minus (+21). The Hitmen are the 9th-most penalized team in the WHL. Calgary visits Brandon tomorrow night.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Pats own the 15th-best PP in the WHL (14.8%) and 19th PK (77.8%)... The Hitmen have the 6th-ranked powerplay (20%) and 17th penalty-kill (78.4%).
QUOTABLE: "I think I can speak for myself and a lot of the guys when I say we're real excited about our team. We're at a time of year where we've turned it up a notch as far as intensity goes and we're competing a lot more as a team. Taking nothing away from Josh (Harding) and Chris (Schlenker), but we seem more competitive since the trades. Fans see how intense Brent Hill is and Dustin Slade battles more than any other goalie I've ever seen in net. I like the way we're going right now." - Pats FWD David McDonald.
LAST NIGHT IN THE WHL: Portland 5-Spokane 4
TONIGHT IN THE WHL: Moose Jaw at Brandon, Red Deer at Saskatoon, Lethbridge at Swift Current, P.A. at Kootenay, Vancouver at Kamloops, Medicine Hat at Kelowna, Everett at P.G., Portland at Seattle.
NEXT UP: The Pats host the Swift Current Broncos Sunday night at 6:00. Catch 620 CKRM's broadcast of the game beginning with the Pats' GameNight Pregame show at 5:35. And don't miss Josh Harding's return to the Agridome Wednesday night as his Brandon Wheat Kings pay the Pats a visit in a 7:00 faceoff.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2004
- Brandon Wheat Kings Game Notes - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Blazers News - Kamloops Blazers
- Skills Day Lineups Unveiled - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Pats Look for Back-to-Back Wins - Regina Pats
- Winter Hawks End Home Ice Woes, Win Third in A Row, 5-4 - Portland Winterhawks
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