GAME PREVIEW: Pats Visit Warriors for First Meeting of the Season

GAME PREVIEW: Pats Visit Warriors for First Meeting of the Season

Regina, Sask – The Regina Pats open a busy weekend with their first meeting of the season against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night at the Temple Gardens Centre. It marks the first of eight matchups between the East Division rivals this season.

WHL REGULAR SEASON GAME #14 | Regina Pats (4-7-1-1) at Moose Jaw Warriors (7-6-1-0)

GAME PREVIEW

The Pats enter the contest with points in four of their last five games, holding a 3-1-0-1 record over that span. Regina is coming off a hard-fought 3-2 shootout loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday, where they rallied to tie the game early in the third period. Cohen Klassen scored the equalizer while Ellis Mieyette notched his first goal in seven games. Rookie goaltender Marek Schlenker was stellar in relief, stopping 24 of 25 shots after replacing Taylor Tabashniuk, who exited the game early due to injury.

After a 1-6-1 start to the season, the Pats have found their stride, winning three of their last five and outscoring opponents 21-19 over that stretch. Their recent success has lifted them into a tie for ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 10 points.

The Moose Jaw Warriors, meanwhile, enter Friday’s matchup with a 7-6-1 record. Following their 2024 WHL Championship, the Warriors endured a rebuilding year last season, finishing last in the East with just 15 wins. This year’s group has rebounded well but is coming off an 8-4 loss to Brandon on Sunday. Over their last three games, the Warriors are 2-1, scoring and allowing 14 goals in that span.

Last season, the Pats went 2-5-1 against Moose Jaw, with three of the eight contests going to overtime. Regina won two of those extra-time battles but dropped their final meeting 7-1 on March 8. Over the last 24 meetings dating back to 2022-23, the Pats are 6-15-3 against their Highway 1 rivals.

Pats forward Caden Brown continues to lead the charge offensively. The 20-year-old alternate captain was named WHL Player of the Week on October 27 after posting eight points (5G-3A) and a +4 rating over three games, highlighted by his first WHL hat-trick and overtime winner in Edmonton on October 25.

Additionally, Hockey Canada recently announced that 15-year-old Pats prospects Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue will represent Canada White at the 2025 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, running from November 2–8 in Truro, Nova Scotia.

WHO TO WATCH

Marek Schlenker was stellar between the pipes for the Pats on Wednesday, allowing just one goal on 25 shots in relief. With Tabashniuk sidelined due to injury, Schlenker is expected to carry the load in goal moving forward.

Meanwhile, Cohen Klassen continued his strong start to the season, scoring his fourth goal in the last game. The Martensville, Sask. product now has nine points (4G-5A) through 13 games this season.

COMING UP

Following Friday’s matchup, the Pats continue their weekend set on Saturday when they visit the Wheat Kings in Brandon, before returning home for their annual ‘I Heart Regina’ game on Tuesday, November 4 against the Calgary Hitmen.