Pats Start 2015 with Fourth Straight Win
Regina, Saskatchewan – In their first game at the Brandt Centre in 2015, the Regina Pats’ (24-12-2-0) scored a 6-4 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors (15-20-3-1).
Both teams’ power plays were ineffective throughout the opening frame. The Blue and White went oh-for-one on the man advantage, while the Warriors couldn’t capitalize on a trio of chances. Goaltenders Daniel Wapple and Zach Sawchenko were lights out between the pipes for their teams. Wapple made the better of the saves, some of which included an early breakaway stop on the Warriors’ Tanner Eberle on a late point blank rejection. The visitors led on the shot clock, 9-7, after a scoreless opening stanza.
The Blue and White came out with a head full of steam in the second period. On an early power play, Pats defensemen Colby Williams pinched in from the point, scooped up the loose biscuit, and shoveled it over a sprawling Sawchenko to draw first blood. Williams’ goal was just the beginning of the end for Sawchenko. Off an innocent dump in, the goaltender misplayed the puck in front of his own net and Patrick D’Amico was on the doorstep for an easy tally. Austin Wagner notched his 10th of the season shortly after. Following Wagner’s marker, Justin Paulic entered the game in relief of Sawchenko. From there, the Warriors took control. Eberle got the visitors on the board after the television timeout. Late in the frame, Paulic robbed Adam Brooks with his right pad. The play quickly transitioned and Jiri Smejkal went high glove on Wapple to make it a 3-2 game. Just before the final buzzer, the Warriors’ Brett Howden picked the same corner on the Pats’ net minder to knot the score up at three apiece. After 40 minutes of Jekyll and Hyde hockey, the Pats led in the shot category, 24-21.
Almost midway through the final frame, Connor Gay went in two-on-one with Dryden Hunt. Gay opted to shoot instead of pass, which proved to be a good decision. The forward’s strategic hesitation forced Paulic deep into his crease and Gay sniped home the go-ahead goal. Padakin put home a shorthanded tally moments later. Padakin’s marker was crucial as Eberle responded with his second of the night to make it a 5-4 game in favour of the Queen City Kids. With about five minutes left, the Pats’ Nathyn Mortlock registered his first ever Western Hockey League goal. Paulic was pulled for the extra attacker, but the Pats held on to sweep the home-and-home series with the Warriors with a 6-4 victory.
The Blue and White return to action Sunday night when they play host to the Calgary Hitmen in a 6:00 puck drop. Tune in with Home Depot Pats Hockey on 620 CKRM or WHL Live Web TV.
