PREVIEW: Pats face off against Broncos for the first time since November

PREVIEW: Pats face off against Broncos for the first time since November

Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pats head back on the road tonight as they take on the Swift Current Broncos at the InnovationPlex.

WHL REGULAR SEASON GAME #56 | Regina Pats (14-34-4-2, 10th East) at Swift Current Broncos (28-23-1-1, 8th)

PREVIEW

The Regina Pats take on the Swift Current Broncos for the first time since November 22. The Pats are 1-2 against the Broncos this season, winning 4-1 at home on October 11, before a 4-2 loss on November 2 and a 4-3 loss on November 22.

Zach Moore (2G-1A) and Connor Bear (2G) each lead the season series for the Pats with two goals. Meanwhile, Zachary Lansard and Braxton Whitehead have picked up a pair of assists. Clarke Caswell (1G-4A) has five points against the Pats this season while Luke Mistelbacher (2G-2A) has four points. Joey Rocha has started two of the three meetings, posting a 3.00 GAA and a .913 SV%.

The Pats are looking to get back in the win column after a 5-0 loss to the Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday, where Regina had to play with just nine forwards to due injuries and illness. The Pats will hopefully bring a full healthy group to tonight’s action. Caden Brown and Cohen Klassen missed Wednesday’s tilt with lower body injuries, while Dayton Deschamps served the fifth game of his six game suspension.

Ewan Huet was a bright spot for the Pats, stopping 38 of 43 in the loss.

Meanwhile, the Swift Current Broncos are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Hitmen at home on Monday, and have now dropped three of their last four games (1-2-0-1). The Broncos are now 4-2-0-1 in the month of February, and are currently 10 points up on the ninth placed Red Deer Rebels

The Broncos are six points back of the seventh place Edmonton Oil Kings, and nine points back of first in the East Division which is held by the Brandon Wheat Kings with 67 points.

WHO TO WATCH

Mathis Paull made his WHL debut on Wednesday, and didn’t look out of place up front. The 15-year-old power forward from Vernon, BC stands at 6-foot-3, and 183 lbs., bringing a physical force to the group. In addition, Keets Fawcett has caught fire as of late, recording four points (3G-1A) over his last five games.

For the Broncos, Luke Mistelbacher is a player to keep your key on. The Steinbach, Manitoba product is tied for fourth in the WHL in goals (36) while tied for ninth in points (77). Broncos captain, and Seattle Kraken product Clarke Caswell is coming off a two goal game on Monday, and now has 69 points (19G-50A) in 51 games. His 50 assists rank 10th in the WHL, while his 69 points are tied for 15th.

COMING UP

The Regina Pats Pats are back home on Saturday as they host the Prince Albert Raiders. The Pats will finish their February schedule with a home game on Friday, Feb. 28 against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Pats will begin the month of March with a tilt against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.