GAME PREVIEW: Pats Continue Home Stand Against Brandon
The Regina Pats (3-0-2-0) play their fourth straight home game on Saturday night against the Brandon Wheat Kings (2-1-1-0). The Pats dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime on Friday night to the Kootenay Ice. The Wheat Kings meanwhile were winners in a shootout, 4-3 over the Swift Current Broncos. Tonight is the first of eight meetings between the two clubs. Tonight’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM with Bennett Dunlop Ford Pats Hockey beginning with the pre-game show at 6:35 p.m on 620 CKRM.
| Regular Season Team Comparison | Regina | Brandon | |
| Record | 3-0-2-0 | 2-1-1-0 | |
| Goals For/Against | 23/15 (+8) | 13/13 (E) | |
| Powerplay | 31.8% (7/22) | 17.6% (3/17) | |
| Penalty Kill | 84.6% (22/26) | 84.2% (16/19) | |
| Team Save Percentage | 0.911 | 0.912 | |
| Leading Scorer | Jake Leschyshyn (3-5-8) | Patrick/Mattheos (7 pts) | |
| Leading Scorer (Defence) | Chase Harrison (1-4-5) | Garrett Sambrook (0-2-2) | |
| Scoring by Period (1st-2nd-3rd-OT) | 7-9-1-0 | 4-2-6-0 |
Lead Up: Pats Overcome Early Deficit but Fall in OT to Kootenay
The Regina Pats spotted the Kootenay Ice a 3-0 first period lead on Friday night. But in the second Lane Zablocki and Sergey Zborovskiy scored to get Regina within one. Then in the third Dawson Leedahl tied it with a powerplay goal. In overtime the Pats were pressing but Payton Lee stood tall and on a fast break the other way, Keenan Taphorn scored the game winner for Kootenay who won 4-3. Jordan Hollett made 36 saves in the loss and the Pats outshot the Ice 47-40.
Playing From Behind
Friday night was the first time on the season that the Pats did not score first in a game. The Pats had taken 1-0 first period leads in every other contest. Friday was also the first game that the Pats did not lead after 40 minutes of play.
Leschyshyn’s Big Night
Pats forward Jake Leschyshyn was a vital part of the Pats comeback on Friday to get a point. The 17-year-old assisted on all three of the Pats goals to tie the game. In the process he has taken over the team lead in scoring with eight points in five games (3G 5A). Those eight points are halfway to his entire total from 2015/16 when he had 16 in 66 games.
Powerplay Strikes Again
The Pats powerplay has scored at least a goal in all five games this season. The club has scored seven times up a man on 22 opportunities for a 31.8 percent efficiency, which is top five in the WHL. Seven different players have scored on the man advantage, Jake Leschyshyn, Sam Steel, Dawson Leedahl, Riley Woods, Lane Zablocki, Chase Harrison and Filip Ahl.
Five Pats on Central Scouting Players to Watch List
The NHL’s Central Scouting Service released its Players To Watch List for the 2016/17 season on Tuesday. Five members of the Pats made the rankings. Forwards Jake Leschyshyn and Lane Zablocki were rated as ‘B’ skatersas possible second or third round picks. Forwards Braydon Buziak and Nick Henry along with goaltender Jordan Hollett received a ‘C’ rating as potential fourth to sixth round selections.
Upcoming Schedule
Pats Vs Portland – Wednesday October 12, 7 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM).
Pats @ Kootenay – Friday October 14, 7 p.m. – Western Financial Place (CKRM).
Pats @ Lethbridge – Saturday October 15, 7 p.m. – Enmax Centre (CKRM).
