PREVIEW: Pats Begin Pivotal Weekend Against Rival Blades at Home
Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pats begin a busy weekend with the first of two home games at the Brandt Centre as tonight the Saskatoon Blades come to town.
WHL REGULAR SEASON GAME #47 | Regina Pats (16-23-5-1) vs. Saskatoon Blades (25-21-3-1)
| Date | Time | Friday, February 6 | 6:00pm CST |
| Place | Brandt Centre |
| Watch / Listen Live | Victory+ | 620 CKRM |
| Live Stats | Click Here |
| Game Notes | Click Here |
| Lineups | Click Here |
| Roster | Click Here |
| What’s Next | Next Game: Saturday, February 7 vs. Calgary |
| Social Media | Follow on “X” | Facebook | Instagram |
GAME PREVIEW
The Regina Pats return home to open a pivotal weekend as they host the Saskatoon Blades in the first of two games at the Brandt Centre, before welcoming the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday.
Regina enters the weekend just two points back of the Red Deer Rebels for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Pats sit at 38 points compared to Red Deer’s 40, but with three games in hand and the Rebels idle tonight, a win against Saskatoon would pull Regina into a tie in the standings.
Friday’s matchup also kicks off a crucial stretch for the Pats, who will play five games in seven nights beginning February 10 with a road swing through Prince Albert and Saskatoon on February 10 and 11.
The Blue Brigade is coming off an emotional 3–2 come-from-behind overtime win over rival Moose Jaw on Sunday at the Brandt Centre. Regina trailed after both the first and second periods before storming back with two third-period goals.
Maddox Schultz got the Pats on the board to make it 2–1, followed minutes later by a power-play goal from Keets Fawcett to tie the game. Caden Brown capped the comeback with the overtime winner, while Regina dominated the shot clock 52–23. The Pats went 1-for-2 on the power play, killed off three of four penalties, and Marek Schlenker earned his 10th win of the season with 21 saves.
The victory also improved Regina to 4-0-1 against Moose Jaw this season and helped snap a three-game skid.
Friday marks the fourth of six meetings between the Pats and Blades this season, with Regina posting a 1-1-1 record so far.
The Pats have been competitive of late, going 5-4-1 over their last 10 games with wins over Red Deer (5-2), Brandon (6-3), Swift Current (7-0), Edmonton (4-3), and Moose Jaw (3-2 OT). Over that span, Regina has scored 36 goals while allowing 34.
Saskatoon enters the night sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 25-21-3-1 record and 54 points. The Blades trail Brandon by three points for fifth and Calgary by five points for fourth, but arrive in Regina looking to rebound after a 7-1 loss to the Hitmen on Tuesday. Saskatoon has dropped two straight games and five of its last six.
WHO TO WATCH
Keets Fawcett is in the middle of a career year. The Grimshaw, Alta. product has already set new personal bests with 25 goals and 42 points in 37 games (25G–17A), and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Fawcett has piled up 32 points in his last 25 games (18G–14A) and comes into the night riding a three-game goal streak, recording five points (3G–2A) over that stretch.
Caden Brown has been delivering when it matters most. The overage forward has points in six straight games, totaling six points (3G–3A) during that span, and has registered points in seven of his last eight outings (3G–5A–8PTS). Brown sits second on the Pats in goals with a career-high 22 and continues to be a reliable offensive driver. Coming off his overtime winner last game, Brown’s confidence and leadership make him a key player to watch tonight.
COMING UP
The Regina Pats return to action on Saturday for their Indigenous Celebration Night, welcoming in the Calgary Hitmen to town. The Pats will then begin a stretch of five games in seven nights, taking on Prince Albert (Feb. 10) and Saskatoon (Feb. 11) before games against Moose Jaw twice and Swift Current on Feb. 16.
