Pats Return from Xmas Break to Host Brandon
December 27, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release
The Regina Pats (22-3-6-0) return to action after the Christmas break tonight, at home to the Brandon Wheat Kings. (15-14-4-0). Puck drop is at 7 p.m. from the Brandt Centre. The Pats were last in action on December 17 and beat the Moose Jaw Warriors 7-3. The Wheat Kings were in Saskatoon on the same night and beat the Blades 3-2. Regina is 1-0-0-0 in the season series, winning the first matchup in Regina on October 8, 5-2. Tonight is the second of eight meetings between the East Division Rivals. The game can be heard on 620 CKRM with Bennett Dunlop Ford Pats Hockey beginning at 6:35 p.m.
Regular Season Comparison Regina Brandon
Record 22-3-6-0 15-14-4-0
Goals For/Against 169/98 (+71) 104/110 (-4)
Powerplay 29.8% (39/131) 23.4% (33/141)
Penalty Kill 80.1% (129/161) 80.0% (136/170)
Team Save Percentage 0.897 0.905
Leading Scorer Sam Steel (23-31-54) Reid Duke (18-16-34)
Leading Scorer (Defence) Connor Hobbs (14-24-38) Kale Clague (4-15-19)
Scoring by Period (1st-2nd-3rd-OT) 52-48-66-3 33-28-37-1
Lead Up: Pats Rout Warriors to Close Out First Half
The Regina Pats exploded for five goals in the third period to beat the Moose Jaw Warriors 7-3 on December 17 at the Brandt Centre. The Pas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first but Moose Jaw clawed back and led 3-2 going to the final period. In the third, the Pats scored twice on the powerplay, twice even strength and once shorthanded to improve to 22-3-6-0. Adam Brooks led the offence with a hattrick and two assists, Sam Steel scored once and had three helpers and Tyler Brown stopped 28 of 31 shots faced. With the win, the Pats extend their lead atop the East Division to five points with two games in hand on Moose Jaw.
Steel Signs
Pats forward Sam Steel signed a three year entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks during the Christmas break. The 18-year-old was drafted in the first round, 30th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Ducks. Steel currently leads the WHL in scoring with 54 points in 25 games. His 2.16 points per game leads the league and his 23 goals is tied for third. Steel has been kept off the score sheet just three times this season.
World Juniors
Two members of the Regina Pats are currently competing at the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championships. Forward Filip Ahl was a plus three in Team Sweden's tournament opening win over Denmark on Monday. Sergey Zborovskiy and Team Russia dropped a 5-3 decision to Team Canada on Monday. Sweden is off today while the Russians will take on Latvia.
Upcoming Schedule
Pats @ Brandon - December 28, 7 p.m. - Westman Place (CKRM)
Pats @ Prince Albert - December 30, 7 p.m. - Art Hauser Centre (CKRM)
Pats Vs Prince Albert - January 1, 4 p.m. - Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Western Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2016
- Raiders 5, Blades 3 - Prince Albert Raiders
- Hitmen Acquire a Third-Round Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- Blazers' Acquire Luc Smith from Regina Pats - Kamloops Blazers
- Pats Acquire Dawson Davidson from Kamloops - Regina Pats
- Pats Return from Xmas Break to Host Brandon - Regina Pats
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