PREVIEW: Pats Conclude Homestand Versus Cougars

Regina, Sask. –The Regina Pats close out their final out-of-conference game of the season tonight as they welcome the Prince George Cougars to the Brandt Centre, with just 13 games remaining on the regular-season schedule.

WHL REGULAR SEASON GAME #55 | Regina Pats (21-26-6-1) vs. Prince George Cougars (35-12-4-4)

GAME PREVIEW

Regina enters the matchup with a 21-27-6-1 record and 49 points, currently sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference, four points ahead of Moose Jaw and three up on Red Deer as the playoff race tightens. Tonight also marks the final game of a four-game homestand for the Blue Brigade.

The Pats are coming off a 7–3 loss to the Penticton Vees on Saturday, a result that snapped their season-high five-game winning streak. Regina trailed 6–0 after two periods, but showed resilience in the third, outscoring Penticton 3–1 in the final frame.
Connor Bear scored twice for his first career multi-goal game, while Caden Brown added his team-leading 28th goal of the season. The shots were nearly even (28–26 for Penticton), with Regina finishing 1-for-6 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Despite the setback, Regina’s recent form has been encouraging. The Pats are 10-7-2 over their last 19 games, with wins over Red Deer, Brandon, Swift Current (2x), Edmonton (2x), Moose Jaw (2x), and Saskatoon. Over that stretch, Regina has posted 75 goals for and 72 against (+3).

The Cougars arrive in the middle of their Eastern Division road swing established as one of the premier teams in the Western Hockey League. Prince George owns a 35-20-2-0 record and 72 points, sitting third in the Western Conference and tracking toward a third straight 40-win season. Over their the first three games of their road trip, the Cougars are 3-0 following a 4-2 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings last night.

Their success has been sustained over multiple years. Since the start of the 2022–23 season, the Cougars have compiled a 162-80-13-6 record, advanced past the first round in three consecutive playoff appearances, and reached the Western Conference Final in 2023–24.

WHO TO WATCH

Connor Bear is not typically known for his offence, but has found the scoresheet with three goals in his last three games, including a two-goal performance on Saturday that earned him second-star honours. Caden Brown has been hot as of late, with 13 points (6G–7A) over his last six games and leads the Pats with 56 points on the season. Reese Hamilton continues his breakout stretch with points in six straight games (1G–8A), establishing a new career-high point streak.

COMING UP

The Regina Pats will wrap up the month of February on Friday, Feb. 27 at Brandon and Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. Saskatoon. The Pats will begin their March schedule (10 games) on Tuesday, March 5 against the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Brandt Centre.