PREVIEW: Pats Look to Stay Hot as They Close Season Series Against Broncos

Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pats close out a demanding stretch of five games in seven days on Saturday as they meet the Swift Current Broncos for the final time this season.

WHL REGULAR SEASON GAME #53 | Regina Pats (19-26-6-1) vs. Swift Current Broncos (13-35-3-2)

GAME PREVIEW

Regina enters the matchup riding momentum, having won three straight games for the second time this year. The Pats are coming off a 5–2 road win over Moose Jaw, where a three-goal second period proved to be the difference before an insurance marker early in the third made it 4–0. Special teams were a key factor, as Regina went 3-for-6 on the power play and outshot the Warriors 30–19.

Caden Brown led the way offensively with three points (1G-2A), while Ephram McNutt and Keets Fawcett each recorded two assists. Matt Paranych added a goal and an assist, while Jonas Kohn scored his first career Western Hockey League goal. Zach Moore and Connor Bear also found the back of the net, and Marek Schlenker turned aside 17 shots to secure the victory.

The Pats’ recent run has been encouraging, as they are 8-6-2 over their last 16 games with victories over Red Deer, Brandon, Swift Current, Edmonton, Moose Jaw (twice), and Saskatoon. During that span, Regina has scored 60 goals while allowing 57, climbing into seventh in the Eastern Conference standings for the first time this month.

Swift Current enters the contest sitting last in the WHL standings with a 13-35-3-2 record and 31 points on the season. The Broncos snapped a 16-game losing streak on January 3 with a 7–4 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes, marking their first victory since November 14 against Moose Jaw (4–3 SOW).

Since then, Swift Current has gone 5-9-1-2 and has shown signs of progress, earning points in three straight games (1-0-0-2). The Broncos are coming off a hard-fought 4–3 shootout loss to Brandon and will look to carry that momentum forward.

Earlier this season, Swift Current defeated Regina 5–3 in comeback fashion on January 30, and the Pats currently hold a 3-2 edge in the season series.

WHO TO WATCH

Caden Brown is red hot, coming off a three-point performance in Moose Jaw. The forward now has nine points (4G-5A) over his last three games and leads the Pats with 52 points on the season.

On the blue line, Reese Hamilton has points in three straight games (1G-4A), while Ephram McNutt has been a model of consistency with points in four consecutive outings (2G-4A-6PTS). McNutt sits at 41 points (11G-30A) through 52 games this season and continues to play a major role in all situations.

COMING UP

The Regina Pats are back in action this weekend as the Blue Brigade will take on the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday and Penticton Vees on Saturday. That will be the continuation of a four game homestand, finishing off on Wednesday, February 25 against the Prince George Cougars.