PREVIEW: Pats, Tigers Clash in Potential First-Round Playoff Preview at the Brandt Centre
Regina, Sask. – If the postseason started today, this would be your opening-round matchup.
WHL REGULAR SEASON GAME #59 | Regina Pats (23-28-6-1) vs. Medicine Hat Tigers (42-9-5-3)
| Date | Time | Tuesday, March 3 | 7:00pm CST |
| Place | Brandt Centre |
| Watch / Listen Live | Victory+ | 620 CKRM |
| Live Stats | Click Here |
| Game Notes | Click Here |
| Lineups | Click Here |
| Magazine | Click Here |
| Roster | Click Here |
| What’s Next | Next Game: Friday, March 6 vs. Lethbridge |
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GAME PREVIEW
The seventh-seeded Regina Pats welcome the second-seeded Medicine Hat Tigers to the Brandt Centre in what could very well be a preview of a first-round WHL playoff series. With both clubs surging down the stretch, Tuesday night’s clash carries plenty of postseason intrigue.
The Pats are playing some of their best hockey of the season, having won seven of their last nine games. They’re coming off an impressive 6-3 comeback victory over the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday.
Goaltender Marek Schlenker was stellar, turning aside 38 shots — including 16 in the third period — to earn his 16th win of the season. Despite being outshot 41-31, Regina bent but didn’t break, and capitalized on key moments.
Maddox Schultz led the charge offensively with two goals and an assist, continuing his hot stretch. Mathis Paull and Dayton Deschamps also found the back of the net, while Connor Bear sealed it with an empty-netter. Special teams were limited on both sides, with each club going 0-for-1 on the power play.
The recent surge has solidified Regina’s playoff position and built confidence inside a young group that’s learning how to close out games.
Medicine Hat arrives in Regina red-hot as well. The Tigers have won six straight games and have points in 10 consecutive contests (8-0-2). They sit first in the Central Division and second in the Eastern Conference with 92 points, just four back of the conference-leading Prince Albert Raiders.
The Tigers are coming off a dominant 8-3 win over the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday. Andrew Basha led the way with a four-point night (3G-1A), while Luke Cozens and Yaroslav Bryzgalov each recorded a goal and an assist. Bryce Pickford added a goal and a helper, and Markus Ruck, Cam Parr, and Josh Van Mulligan all chipped in with multi-point performances. Jordan Switzer made 21 saves in the victory.
Medicine Hat was efficient on special teams, going 1-for-2 on the power play and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill, and capitalized on their chances despite being outshot 24-22.
The Tigers lead the season series 2-0. They opened with a 5-2 win on September 20 and followed it up with a 4-3 overtime victory on November 14 — a tightly contested game that could mirror the intensity of a potential playoff matchup.
WHO TO WATCH
Maddox Schultz led the charge with a three-point performance last game, tying his career high by scoring twice and adding a primary assist. Schultz has now 10 goals this season and is red-hot with 7G–5A–12PTS over his last 10 games.
In addition, Pats defenceman Ephram McNutt had 1G-2A-3PTS against Saskatoon on Saturday, giving him 3G-10A-13PTS over his last 10 games.
COMING UP
The Regia Pats conclude their three game homestand on Friday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The Pats will then play three games in four nights on the road in Alberta, beginning on March 8 against the Calgary Hitmen.
