PREVIEW: Pats Host Tigers In 2026 Playoffs Rematch
Regina, Sask. — The Regina Pats return to the Brandt Centre tonight as they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers for the first meeting between the two clubs since last spring’s WHL Playoffs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
REGULAR SEASON GAME #8 | Regina Pats (3-3-0-1) vs. Medicine Hat Tigers (4-2-0-1)
| Date | Time | Friday, October 16 | 7:00pm |
| Place | Brandt Centre |
| Live Stats | Click Here |
| Roster | Click Here |
| Lineup | Click Here |
| Game Notes | Click Here |
| Stats | Click Here |
| What’s Next | Next Game: Saturday, October 17 at Swift Current Broncos |
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PREVIEW
Tonight’s contest marks a rematch of last season’s first-round playoff series, which saw the Tigers eliminate the Pats in five games. Regina’s season came to an end on April 4 at Co-op Place in Medicine Hat, where the Tigers earned a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 5 to advance to the second round.
The Pats enter tonight’s matchup with a 3-3-0-1 record, looking to return to the win column following a 5-2 road loss to the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Tigers come into Regina with a 4-2-0-1 record after suffering a 6-1 home loss to the Victoria Royals on Saturday.
Regina is coming off a hard-fought 5-2 setback at SaskTel Centre, where special teams proved to be the difference. The Blades scored twice on the power play in the middle frame to take a 3-1 lead into the third period. Maddox Schultz brought the Pats within one with his second goal of the season, but Saskatoon restored its two-goal advantage just 36 seconds later.
Despite the loss, the Pats put together a strong third-period push, outshooting the Blades 22-8 in the final frame while finishing with a season-high 43 shots on goal. Ellis Mieyette also scored for Regina, while Taylor Tabashniuk made 28 saves. The Pats finished 1-for-4 on the power play and 5-for-7 on the penalty kill.
The Tigers, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a 6-1 loss to Victoria on Saturday. Luke Cozens scored Medicine Hat’s lone goal, while goaltender Carter Casey surrendered six goals on 28 shots. The Royals outshot the Tigers 36-28 and capitalized on four of their eight power-play opportunities, while Medicine Hat went 0-for-8 with the man advantage.
Special teams could play a significant role in tonight’s matchup, with Regina entering the contest boasting the WHL’s second-ranked power play at 35.3 percent. Medicine Hat’s power play has struggled early, operating at 11.1 percent, ranking 21st in the league. On the penalty kill, Regina ranks 10th at 81.2 percent, while the Tigers sit 14th at 78.4 percent.
Medicine Hat features a talented roster highlighted by NHL-drafted players and highly regarded prospects. Twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruck are both Pittsburgh Penguins prospects, while imports Arvid Drott (Florida Panthers) and Yaroslav Bryzgalov (Vancouver Canucks) add further NHL pedigree. The Tigers also feature two highly touted NHL Draft prospects in Noah Davidson and Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll.
For Regina, rookie forward Liam Pue and Ellis Mieyette continue to lead the offensive charge, sitting tied for the team lead with 10 points apiece through seven games. Pue leads the Pats in goals, while Mieyette has been the club’s top playmaker with seven assists.
COMING UP
Following tonight’s contest, the Pats head back on the road Saturday for a matchup against the Swift Current Broncos. Regina will then return to the Brandt Centre on Wednesday, October 21, to open a three-game homestand against the Seattle Thunderbirds.
