RECAP: Pats Explode for 7 in Win Over Broncos
Final Score: Pats 7, Broncos 3
Record: 4-7-0
Standings: 4th-place, East Division
Regina, Sask. — The Regina Pats exploded for seven goals in their home victory over the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday night, sweeping the home-and-home thanks to a big 7-3 score.
The Pats are now 4-7-0 on the season, while the Broncos fall to 2-7-2.
The Regiment got multi-point performances from six different players and were led by Connor Bedard and Logan Nijhoff, who each scored a pair. Cole Dubinsky, Ryker Evans and Tanner Howe also each scored. Many of the goals were scored on special teams, with Regina getting two shorthanded goals and two power play goals, while all three of Swift Current’s goals came with the man advantage.
The Pats host the Moose Jaw Warriors next on the schedule on Wednesday night, in the second of six straight home contests.
THE GOALS
1st Period
REG 1-0 at 15:10 – Connor Bedard (5), assisted by Tom Cadieux (1) // Cadieux made a good pinch at the right point and got the puck to Bedard, who was able to work off the wall and release a quick shot from the top of the circle.
SC 1-1 at 18:40 – Owen Pickering (1), assisted by Raphael Pelletier (4) and Rayan Bettahar (3) PPG // The Broncos converted on a 5-on-3 power play, as Pelletier fed a saucer pass back-door to Pickering, who had a wide open net.
2nd Period
REG 2-1 at 2:49 – Logan Nijhoff (3), assisted by Luke Bateman (3) and Ryker Evans (9) SHG // Nijhoff took advantage of fallen defenceman Rayan Bettahar, who lost an edge after Bateman dumped the puck down the ice. Nijhoff had a clear path to the net after getting the puck off the corner boards and quickly lifted the puck past the blocker of Poulter and into the back of the net.
SC 2-2 at 3:15 – Cole Nagy (1), assisted by Matthew Ward (5) PPG // Swift Current responded in under 30 seconds, after Nagy stuffed home a loose puck in front on the power play.
REG 3-2 at 7:43- Tanner Howe (2), unassisted SHG // A brilliant effort from Howe regained the Pats’ lead, after the youngster intercepted a pass a centre ice and out-hustled Sam McGinley to the net. Howe let his shot go while falling, and was able to place it perfectly to the top right corner.
REG 4-2 at 19:33 – Logan Nijhoff (4), assisted by Connor Bedard and Ryker Evans (10) PPG // Bedard let his patented shot go from the top of the right circle on the power play that grazed off Nijhoff and past Poulter.
3rd Period
REG 5-2 at 2:44 – Ryker Evans (2), assisted by Drew Englot (3) and Tanner Howe (1) PPG // Englot dished a pass up to the right point for Evans, who danced his way to the top of the circle and ripped a shot to the back of the net.
REG 6-2 at 7:57 – Connor Bedard (6), assisted by Layton Feist (3) and Tom Cadieux (2) // Bedard criss-crossed with Nijhoff as the entered the zone on a 2-on-2, and Nijhoff was able to take out both defenders, giving Bedard the space he needed.
REG 7-2 at 12:06 – Cole Dubinsky (7), assisted by Ryker Evans (11) and Matthew Kieper (1) // A long outlet pass from Evans found Dubinsky in the neutral zone and he did the rest, driving wide and cutting to the net, before tucking it past Poulter’s pad.
SC 7-3 at 17:21 – Raphael Pelletier (3), assisted by Matthew Ward (6) and Chase Lacombe (1) // The Broncos scored a late goal on the power play to make it a 7-3 final.
FINAL: Pats 7 | Broncos 3
STATISTICS
SOG: REG – 39 | SC – 27
PP: REG – 2-for-4 | SC – 3-for-7
Faceoffs: REG – 43 | SC – 24
GOALTENDING BATTLE
Regina: Matthew Kieper stopped 24 of 27 shots he faced and also chipped in with an assist!
Swift Current: Isaac Poulter stopped 32 of 39.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Connor Bedard dazzled all night and recorded his first 3-point game of the season. He also had eight shots on goal for the second time this season. Bedard leads the WHL with 58 shots on goal.
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Dave Struch: “We got some puck luck tonight. Last night we did as well. Honestly, it’s the way we played throughout the losing streak, without the puck, to get the puck…this weekend, the goals went in for our guys. It was good to see. It’s a relief to see them have some luck and bear down. They could have very well stayed frustrated over the course of time here. But they worked hard in practice, they continued to do things right in the games to give them opportunities and I think they deserved the wins this weekend.”
IMAGE OF THE GAME
Top Corner with style.
Pats forward Tanner Howe somehow chips a shot perfectly to the top corner over the glove of Isaac Poulter while falling to give the Pats a 3-2 advantage in the second period of Friday’s game. (Keith Hershmiller Photography)
BIG HIGHLIGHT
3 STARS
- Connor Bedard— REG – 2G, 1A, 8 SOG
- Logan Nijhoff— REG – 2G (inc. GWG)
- Matthew Kieper — REG – 24/27, 1A
UP NEXT
Regina continues their home stand on Wednesday Nov. 3 against the Moose Jaw Warriors. They next host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday, Nov. 6. For tickets, click here.
