Tigers Take 3-1 Series Lead with 4-2 Win in Game 4
WHL Regina Pats

Tigers Take 3-1 Series Lead with 4-2 Win in Game 4

Published on April 2, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Regina, Sask. - The Regina Pats are now on the brink of elimination after a 4-2 loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers in Game 4 on Wednesday at the Brandt Centre, falling behind 3-1 in their best-of-seven first-round series.

The Pats opened the scoring early in the first period, as Zachary Lansard netted his second of the playoffs at 8:28. Cohen Klassen carried the puck over the line and delivered a perfect feed to Lansard, who made a smooth move to his backhand and beat Carter Casey low to give Regina a 1-0 lead.

Medicine Hat responded quickly. Just over two minutes later, Kade Stengrim finished off a backdoor pass from Jonas Woo to tie the game 1-1. The Tigers then capitalized on a Regina turnover late in the period, with rookie Gavin Kor burying a backhand chance in front to give the visitors a 2-1 lead heading into the intermission.

The Tigers extended their lead in the second period. Liam Ruck made it 3-1 at 11:57 after taking a slick saucer pass from Andrew Basha, slipping it past Taylor Tabashniuk. Minutes later, on the power play, Noah Davidson broke in alone and chipped a backhander over Tabashniuk to push the lead to 4-1.

Regina showed some pushback late in the middle frame. Ruslan Karimov continued his strong series, scoring his third goal in as many games at 15:19. After driving hard to the net on an odd-man rush, Karimov circled behind the goal and tucked in a wraparound to cut the deficit to 4-2.

That would be as close as the Pats would get, however, as a scoreless third period sealed the win for Medicine Hat.

Both teams finished with 30 shots on goal, with Tabashniuk giving Regina a chance with 26 saves, while Casey turned aside 28 shots for the Tigers. The Tigers also held the edge on special teams, going 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Pats were held scoreless on three opportunities.

THE GOALS

First Period

Pats 1-0 - #57 Zachary Lansard (2), assisted by #37 Cohen Klassen, & #55 Ephram McNutt at 8:28 // Klassen stepped in over the line and funned a perfect pass to Lansard, who cut to his backhand and beat Carter Casey low to open the scoring.

Tigers 1-1 - #21 Kade Stengrim (2), assisted by #18 Jonas Woo at 10:40 // Woo grabbed the puck at the line, and sent a back-door pass to Stengrim, who just snuck a shot over Tabashniuk to tie the game.

Tigers 2-1 - #4 Gavin Kor (1) scores. Assists: #29 Ethan Neutens, #10 Yaroslav Bryzgalov at 18:50 // The Tigers capitalized on a Regina turnover inside their zone, where it ended up on the stick of Kor in front. The Tigers' rookie then sent a low backhander five-hole on Tabashniuk to take the lead with 1:10 to go.

Second Period

Tigers 3-1 - #12 Liam Ruck (2), assisted by #34 Andrew Basha at 11:57 // Basha saucered a pass over the stick of a Pats defender to Ruck, who flipped the puck past Tabashniuk to make it 3-1 for the visitors.

Tigers 4-1 - #39 Noah Davidson (2), assisted by #34 Andrew Basha & #26 Marcus Ruck at 13:21 (PP) // Basha sent a stretch pass to Davidson, who broke in alone and he chipped a backhander over Tabashniuk to make it 4-1.

Pats 4-2 - #25 Ruslan Karimov (3), assisted by #30 Taylor Tabashniuk at 15:19 // Karimov carried the puck into the Tigers' zone on an odd-man rush, went hard to the net but ran out of space. He the took the puck behind the net and attempted a wraparound that beat Casey to pull the Pats within a pair at 4-2.

Third Period

No scoring.

Shots on Goal

Pats: 12 - 8 - 10 - 30 Tigers: 9 - 15 - 6 - 30

Power Plays

Pats: 0/3 Tigers: 1/5

Goaltending

Pats: Taylor Tabashniuk - 26 saves on 30 shots Tigers: Carter Casey - 28 saves on 30 shots

Three Stars

First Star: Carter Casey (28SV) Second Star: Ruslan Karimov (1G) Third Star: Andrew Basha (2A)

COMING UP

Now trailing 3-1 in the series, the Pats will look to keep their season alive in Game 5 on Saturday at Co-op Place with puck drop set for 7pm. If needed, game 6 will be at the Brandt Centre on Sunday, April 5 at 6pm.

Check out the Regina Pats Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2026


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