WHL Regina Pats

Pats win over Saskatoon

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


First Period

The early stages of the Pats and Blades third meeting of the season was characterized by chances due to bouncing and mishandled pucks. Ryan Graham had the best opportunity when he broke in all alone, but fell victim to the bouncing puck as well as he fanned on his shot allowing the Pats to recover. The Blades would cash in on their next opportunity when Nikita Scherbak's pass bounced off Dmitry Sinitsyn and back to the Blades' leading scorer who made a move to beat Dawson MacAuley to start a cascade of toques to the ice 2:48 into the game. The Pats drew even before the mid-way point of the frame when the puck bounced off Boston Leier's skate to Dryden Hunt who walked in and beat Alex Moodie for his third goal in as many games. Into the final five minutes of the period, the Pats' powerplay went to work and for the second game in a row, the second unit got the job done. Dmitry Sinitsyn unloaded from the point and Braden Christoffer tipped on the puck to give the Pats a 2-1 through one frame.

Second Period

The Pats opened the second on the penalty kill, but would get the best offensive opportunity when Chandler Stephenson sent Carter Hansen in on a breakaway. Moodie would prove up to the task as he turned away Hansen on the break, and the Blades would respond to their goaltender's clutch play. 15-year old call-up defenceman Nolan Reid let go a slap shot from the point and the rebound came to Collin Valcourt who lifted the puck over MacAuley to square things up. The deadlock would be short lived as Connor Gay made a great move to the middle of the ice, then beat Moodie to restore the Pats' lead at 3-2. The Blue and White added some insurance on a gorgeous goal from Leier when he faked a slap shot on the powerplay then deked his way to the slot before squeezing a wrister by Moodie for a 4-2 Regina lead. The Pats were strong on the penalty kill in the frame, stymieing three Saskatoon powerplays.

Third Period

Regina's two goal lead would be cut shortly after the puck hit the ice in the final stanza as after the Pats couldn't bury a great chance in the Blades' end, Saskatoon came back. A hard forecheck freed the puck to Nathan Burns who spied Scherbak in the slot who hammered a one-timer past MacAuley to bring Saskatoon within one. Then goalies would take over from there with both MacAuley and Moodie coming up with great stops. MacAuley highlighted his action with a great paddle save holding the puck out on the goal-line. For his part, Moodie stoned Stephenson in front when the Saskatoon native snuck out in front for a great chance. With the Saskatoon net empty the Blades almost tied the game when the puck popped out of MacAuley's glove after a good stop. The Pats collapsed around the net and didn't give way, leading to an icing call. The Blue and White won the faceoff and quickly moved the puck down the ice leading to Braden Christoffer sliding the puck into the empty net to ice the game at a 5-3 score. Dyson Stevenson picked up an assist on the final marker to extend his point streak to seven games.

Three Stars Shots Powerplay Attendance:

1. Nikita Scherbak - 2G, 1A Regina: 14-7-12-31 Regina: 2/4 4001

2. Boston Leier - 1G, 1A Saskatoon: 10-14-12-36 Saskatoon: 0/4

3. Dryden Hunt - 1G, 1A

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

Next Home Game: vs. Kelowna - Saturday, December 14th - 7:00 p.m. (CKRM)

Check out the Regina Pats Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2013


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