RECAP: Pats fall 5-3 in first game back in Brandon Wednesday night

The Regina Pats returned from the Christmas break on Wednesday night in Brandon and fell 5-3 to the Wheat Kings. The two clubs traded goals in the first, Regina getting a marker from Robbie Holmes, his eighth and it was 1-1 after one. In the second, Logan Nijhoff scored his first career goal to give Regina the 2-1 advantage but the Wheat Kings would respond and it was 2-2 after 40 minutes. In the third, Brandon went ahead 3-2 but Robbie Holmes would score on the powerplay for his second of the night to make it 3-3. 30 seconds later however, Evan Weinger scored on a two on one and Brandon had the lead back at 4-3. The Wheat Kings added another late to take the game, 5-3 the final score. The Pats were outshot 35-30, the powerplay was one for three and the penalty kill six for six. Robbie Holmes and Cale Fleury led the way with two point nights while Max Paddock made 30 saves. The Pats (16-18-3-0) will host a rematch with the Wheat Kings on Thursday night at the Brandt Centre at 7 p.m.

Scoring Summary
First Period
Brandon – Stelio Mattheos (26) from Tanner Kaspick and Braden Schneider – 13:37 SH.
Regina – Robbie Holmes (8) from Cale Fleury – 19:33.

Second Period
Regina – Logan Nijhoff (1) unassisted – 4:05.
Brandon – Cole Reinhardt (11) from Baron Thompson and Zach Wytinck – 14:36.

Third Period
Brandon – Ty Lewis (18) from Evan Weinger and Connor Gutenberg – 3:38.
Regina – Robbie Holmes (9) from Egor Zamula and Cale Fleury – 7:25 PP.
Brandon – Evan Weinger (15) from Ty Lewis – 7:55.
Brandon – Linden McCorrister (10) from Stelio Mattheos and Daniel Bukac – 18:28.

Shots on Goal
Regina 11-8-11-(30)    Brandon 13-9-13-(35)

Powerplays
Regina 1/3        Brandon 0/6

Quick Hits
– Logan Nijhoff scored his first career WHL goal in the defeat.
– Cale Fleury picked up two assists and has 13 points in 16 games with the Pats.

What’s Next?
The Pats will host a rematch with the Wheat Kings on Thursday night at the Brandt Centre at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at reginapats.com and the Brandt Centre Box office.