WHL Regina Pats

Stringer Scores in OT, Pats Take 2-0 Series Lead

April 2, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Saskatoon, Sask. - Zack Stringer scored the overtime winner, lifting the Regina Pats to a 6-5 overtime win over the Saskatoon Blades, taking a 2-0 series lead on Sunday inside the SaskTel Centre.

Less than three minutes into the extra frame, Stringer received a centering pass from Alexander Suzdalev and potted home his second of the game to seal the victory in game two, as the Pats lead the series 2-0 heading home for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Pats held a 2-1 lead after one and a 4-3 lead after two. The Blades scored two unanswered goals less than 20 seconds apart for a 5-4 lead. Connor Bedard tied the game late to complete the hat-trick and force overtime. He once again led the way offensively with a five point game (3G-2A). Stanislav Svozil tallied a goal and an assist while Suzdalev picked up four assists. Drew Sim grabbed the victory, making 42 saves, with 18 of them in the third period.

The Blades got goals from Justin Lies, Lukas Hansen, Josh Pillar, Jayden Weins and Vaughn Watterodt in the defeat. Both Austin Elliott and Ethan Chadwick appeared in net for the Blades. Elliott was yanked after four goals on 13 shots through 32:31. Chadwick allowed two goals on six shots over 30:27.

THE GOALS

First Period

REG 1-0 at 5:08 - Stanislav Svozil (2) assisted by Alexander Suzdalev and Connor Bedard (4-on-4) // Svozil was given the opportunity to skate into the Blades zone and he loaded up a slap shot and wired it past Elliott's glove to give the Pats a 1-0 lead in the early stages of game two.

REG 2-0 at 13:33 - Connor Bedard (3) assisted by Stanislav Svozil and Alexander Suzdalev // After getting away from a check along the boards, Bedard got open in front of the net and fired a shot past Elliott's blocker to give the Pats a 2-0 lead.

SAS 2-1 at 18:01 - Justin Lies (1) assisted by Egor Sidorov // Sim stopped the initial shot but the rebound got to Lies who got behind the Pats defenders and fired it home to get the Blades on the board late in the opening frame at 2-1.

Second Period

SAS 2-2 at 2:48 - Lukas Hansen (2) assisted by Vaughn Watterodt // A turnover in the Pats zone, got to Hansen who kicked the puck to his stick and sent a backhand over Sim to tie the contest up at 2-2.

REG 3-2 at 5:32 - Zack Stringer (1) assisted by Connor Bedard (PP) // Bedard sent the puck deep to Stringer who turned and buried the puck to restore their one-goal lead at 3-2 with the first powerplay goal of the series.

SAS 3-3 at 6:42 - Josh Pillar (1) unassisted // Pillar got the puck along the left wing boards, and took a shot that beat Sim to even things up at 3-3.

REG 4-3 at 12:31 - Connor Bedard (4) assisted by Brayden Barnett // Barnett won a puck battle behind the Blades net sent a pass to the front of the net which found a streaking Bedard who buried the puck to give the Pats a 4-3 lead.

Third Period

SAS 4-4 at 8:32 - Jayden Weins (1) assisted by Blake Gustafson and Jake Chaisson // The puck caromed off the back boards to the front of the net and it bounced around the crease area and no one on the Pats could corral it. Weins was able to grab the loose puck and he tucked it home to tie the game at 4-4.

SAS 4-5 at 8:50 - Vaughn Watterodt (1) assisted by Charlie Wright and Jayden Weins // A shot off the end boards bounced back to the front of the net and Watterodt buried it to give the Blades their first lead of the series at 5-4.

REG 5-5 at 0:00 - Connor Bedard (5) assisted by Luke Bateman and Alexander Suzdalev // Suzdalev passed to Bateman who rang a shot off the post that bounded to Bedard and he buried the puck to tie the game up at 5-5.

Overtime

REG 6-5 at 2:58 - Zack Stringer (2) assisted by Alexander Suzdalev (PP) // Suzdalev carrried the puck in deep and sent a feed to Stringer who buried the winner on the the powerplay.

STATISTICS

SOG: REG - 6-9-3-1-19 | SAS - 16-11-20-0-47

PP: REG - 2/4 | SAS - 0/4

Face-Offs: REG - 26 | SAS - 35

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Regina: Drew Sim (47 shots/42 saves)

Saskatoon: Austin Elliott (13 shots/9 saves in 32:31 minutes), Ethan Chadwick (6 shots /4 saves in 30:27)

3 STARS

First: Bedard (3G-2A) - Pats

Second: Weins (1G-1A) - Blades

Third: Stringer (2G, including the OT winner) - Pats

NOTES

After opening the playoffs with a three-point night (2G-1A), Connor Bedard followed up that performance with a five-point game (3G-2A) in game two. He now has eight points (5G-3A) in two games this post-season.

Zack Stringer scored the first powerplay goal of the series, his second career playoff marker (the first one was on March 26, 2019, when he was with the Hurricanes) and scored the overtime winner on the powerplay, finishing the game with two goals.

Stanislav Svozil had his second straight one-goal, one-assist game to give him four points (2G-2A) in the playoffs.

Alexander Suzdalev tallied four assists, giving him five assists in the playoffs.

The Pats are a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill in the series.

The last time the Pats had a 2-0 series lead was round one of the 2017 playoffs where Regina went onto sweep the Calgary Hitmen before reaching the WHL finals.

UP NEXT

The Pats continue their first-round series on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. against the same Saskatoon Blades.

Check out the Regina Pats Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2023


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