PREVIEW: Pats clash with Warriors Friday in Moose Jaw

The Regina Pats (1-2-0-0) return to action on Friday night in Moose Jaw against the Warriors (2-0-0-0). Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. at Mosaic Place. The Pats dropped a 5-3 decision in their last game on Wednesday at home to the Swift Current Broncos. The Warriors are coming off a weekend sweep of the Prince Albert Raiders to begin the 2017-18 season. Tonight’s game can be heard starting at 6:35 with Bennett Dunlop Ford Pats Hockey on 620 CKRM. Tonight will also mark the first TV broadcast of the year on Access 7.

The Lead Up: Pats drop 5-3 decision to Swift Current Wednesday
The Regina Pats dropped a 5-3 decision to the Swift Current Broncos on Wednesday night at the Brandt Centre. The Pats found themselves down 3-0 early in the second period after three straight powerplay goals from the Broncos. Matt Bradley would score twice after for Regina who trailed 4-2 after 40 minutes. In the final period, Bryce Platt tipped home his first as a Pat to get the club within one but Swift Current would score an empty netter with less than a minute left and picked up the victory, 5-3 the final score. Matt Bradley led the way with two goals and an assist in the loss while Max Paddock made 29 saves in goal. The Regina powerplay went one for five and the penalty kill was three for six while the Pats led on the shot clock 37-34.

Bradley on Fire
Pats forward Matt Bradley is off to a fast start to his 20-year-old season. The Surrey, BC product has scored five goals and has an assist in his first three games of the year. Bradley scored once in the first game of the year against Brandon and followed that up with a two goal performance last Saturday against the Wheat Kings. In the Pats last game on Wednesday, Bradley scored twice and picked up an assist in the defeat at the hands of the Swift Current Broncos. His five goals leads the entire WHL heading into the second weekend of the season and his six total points is tied for third overall.

Platt on the Board
Pats forward and Regina product Bryce Platt picked up his first goal with his hometown team on Wednesday night against Swift Current. Platt tipped home a rocket of a point shot from Liam Schioler in the third period to get the Pats within a goal with just under eight minutes remaining. Platt was added to the roster this summer after spending last year with the Canmore Eagles of the AJHL where he scored 20 goals and had 35 points in 50 games. The 19-year-old was with the Calgary Hitmen in the 2015-16 season, playing in 34 games, scoring four goals and seven points.

Upcoming Schedule
Pats Vs Red Deer – Sunday Octover 1, 4 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Pats @ Medicine Hat – Friday October 6, 7 p.m. – Canalta Centre (CKRM)
Pats Vs Saskatoon – Saturday October 7, 7 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)