PREVIEW: Pats get first look at Wheat Kings
REGINA – Eight days into the Western Hockey League’s East Division Hub, the Regina Pats get their first taste of the Brandon Wheat Kings Saturday night.
Regina and Brandon meet for the first time during this abbreviated 2020-21 season at 8:00 p.m. CST, as the Pats look to for back-to-back wins inside the Brandt Centre.
Where to LISTEN/WATCH
- Radio: 620 CKRM & 620ckrm.com
- TV: AccessNow TV
- Stream: WHL Live
CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF GAME NOTES
The Pats enter the game after two days away from game action, with their previous result a 3-2 win over the Swift Current Broncos Wednesday night. That win was sparked by strong goaltending from Matthew Kieper, who made 33 stops, along with some familiar offence from Carson Denomie and Connor Bedard.
Your game day lineup from @MosaicCompany
Puck drop 8 p.m. CST vs. @bdnwheatkings
#JoinTheRegiment pic.twitter.com/rdMZL5T4pC— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) March 20, 2021
Denomie and Bedard have combined for 10 of Regina’s 13 goals thus far this season, making them the most important prolific offensive duo inside the Hub. Wednesday night Denomie potted a pair against the Broncos to improve his season total to six, while Bedard added a goal and an assist to improve his point total to eight through four games.
The pair looks to lead Regina to their first back-to-back wins since February 7 and 8 of last year when the Pats earned consecutive wins over the Broncos.
On the Brandon side, the Wheat Kings enter the night coming off their own win over Swift Current. Sparked by a pair from leading scorer Nolan Ritchie, Brandon skated away with a 4-1 victory Thursday night.
.@Payworks By The Numbers
Carson Denomie is on a ???? heater again to start a new season. We’re enjoying this version wayyyy more than 2019-20!#JoinTheRegiment pic.twitter.com/yFhlYZtbyo
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) March 20, 2021
SPECIAL teams report
- REGINA:
- PP – 4/19, 21% (10th WHL)
- PK – 14/18, 77.8% (15th WHL)
- BRANDON:
- PP – 5/18, 27.8% (7th WHL)
- PK – 12/18, 66.7% (19th WHL)
By the NUMBERS
- Connor Bedard is already the leading scorer amongst CHL exceptional players through five games. He has 4G-4A-8PTS to start his WHL career, while the next closest point total from a player granted exceptional status was John Tavares’ 6G-1A-7PTS back in 2005-06 with the Oshawa Generals.
- It was 379 days between wins for the Pats thanks to the delayed season start. Prior to Wednesday night’s victory Swift Current, Regina’s last win came March 3, 2020 vs. Moose Jaw (7-4).
- Through four games, the Pats and Wheat Kings are the most penalized teams inside the Hub. Regina has 51 PIM, while Brandon has 47.
- Penalties have been particularly costly for the Wheat Kings, who have surrendered 6 power play goals. That total is half of the 12 total goals allowed by Brandon.
- So far a total of 90 goals have been scored inside the Subway WHL Hub through 14 games.
