PREVIEW: Pats hit the road Tuesday for final meeting of the year with Brandon
The Regina Pats (27-22-5-0) are on the road Tuesday night to take on the Brandon Wheat Kings (29-18-3-2). Puck drop is at 7 p.m. at Westman Communications Group Place. The Pats were last in action on Saturday, beating the Prince Albert Raiders 5-4 in overtime. The Wheat Kings last game was Saturday as well, a 4-3 overtime win at home to Red Deer. Tonight is the eighth and final meeting of the season between the Pats and Wheat Kings, Regina holds a 4-3-0-0 record in the season series. The game can be heard starting at 6:35 with Bennett Dunlop Ford Pats Hockey on 620 CKRM.
| Regular Season Comparison | Regina | Brandon | |
| Record | 27-22-5-0 | 29-18-3-2 | |
| Goals For/Against | 178/185 (-7) | 197/178 (+19) | |
| Powerplay | 22.9% (51/223) | 24.0% (50/208) | |
| Penalty Kill | 75.1% (181/241) | 74.7% (165/221) | |
| Team Save Percentage | 0.893 | 0.904 | |
| Leading Scorer | Cameron Hebig (36-35-71) | Ty Lewis (28-49-77) | |
| Leading Scorer (Defence) | Josh Mahura (18-34-52) | Schael Higson (2-18-20) | |
| Scoring by Period (1st-2nd-3rd-OT) | 55-59-60-4 | 66-57-66-8 |
The Lead Up: Pats overcome tough third to beat Prince Albert Saturday
Sam Steel scored twice and added two assists as the Regina Pats got by the Prince Albert Raiders 5-4 in overtime on Saturday night at the Brandt Centre. After a scoreless first period, the Pats exploded for four goals in the second. Sam Steel scored twice for his 19th and 20th of the season while Emil Oksanen picked up his 13th and Josh Mahura his 18th to make it a 4-1 game after 40 minutes. In the third, the Raiders scored twice, 15 seconds apart with under eight minutes left and then with their net empty, got a game tying goal from Kody McDonald to force overtime at 4-4. In the extra frame, Cameron Hebig forced a turnover in the offensive zone, fed Sam Steel in the slot who sent a return feed left side and Hebig scored his 36th to give the Pats the extra point in a 5-4 final score.
Head to Head
Tonight is the eighth and final meeting of the year between the Pats and Wheat Kings, Regina has a 4-3-0-0 record, winning all four games at home and falling three times on the road. Matt Bradley leads the Pats with six goals and eight points in the season series. Jared Legien, Nick Henry and Jake Leschyshyn meanwhile have all put up five points. The Wheat Kings Ty Lewis has put up 14 points against Regina while Stelio Mattheos has 11 points and Evan Weinger has seven points. The Pats enter Tuesday, four points back of Brandon for third in the East Division, the Wheat Kings have two games in hand.
15th All-Time
Pats captain Sam Steel jumped three spots into 15th in all-time franchise scoring thanks to his four point effort on Saturday against Prince Albert. The signed prospect of the Anaheim Ducks sits with 309 career points, one back of Jordan Eberle who sits 14th and two back of the 13th leading scorer Frank Kovacs. Based on points per-game this season, Steel projects to finish with 335 points in his career, which would tie Adam Brooks for 10th all-time. The product of Sherwood Park, Alberta has put up his 309 points in just 241 games, 110 of them are goals and he sits one assist away from 200 for his career.
Upcoming Schedule
Pats Vs Kootenay – Friday February 9, 7 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Pats Vs Lethbridge – Saturday February 10, 7 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Pats @ Saskatoon Sunday February 11, 4 p.m. – SaskTel Centre (CKRM)
