RECAP: Regina falls 3-1 to Winnipeg
REGINA – A pair of goals from Connor McClennon were the difference for the Winnipeg ICE Monday night against the Regina Pats, as the ICE skated away with a 3-1 win inside the Brandt Centre.
The Pats’ lone goal came from captain Logan Nijhoff, as Regina dropped their third game of the season to Winnipeg. This time Regina’s loss came in tighter fashion after having been outscored a combined 13-5 in the previous two meetings. Winnipeg’s other goal – the game’s opener 5:09 into the contest – came courtesy Conor Geekie.
“We had the puck a lot more tonight than we have in the past against this team and it was because of our defensive game,” said Pats head coach Dave Struch.
“We had some difficulty, but overall I felt we played a good defensive game and it starts with our goalie. Our goalie was fantastic tonight.”
Speaking of Regina’s goalie, Roddy Ross stopped 30 of the 33 shots fired his way Monday night, as his strong play as of late continued. Earlier in the afternoon the Meadow Lake, Sask. product was named the WHL’s Goalie of the Week after posting a pair of wins and a .964 save percentage.
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Ross’ solid play between the pipes set the foundation for Regina against the ICE, including on the power play where the Pats held the ICE to 1-for-5 after surrendering three goals in each of the previous two meetings inside the Hub.
“We still turned it over, but we did a better job managing the puck. We had more opportunity to play the right way with the puck too, because we played well defensively. Like I said, the goalie was really good for us tonight. Defending we didn’t run around as much in our zone. We’ve done that in the past, but our game has gotten better there,” Struch pointed out.
“When we’re up against these teams we’re not going to have the puck as much, and we have to play the right way for long spurts of time. We did that tonight, but we got it back we made the right good hard plays to get the puck down there.”
Monday marked the first time this season Regina was without star Connor Bedard, who returned home to North Vancouver, B.C. over the weekend to begin quarantining for the IIHF U18 World Championship.
Bedard’s absence will undoubtedly be felt on the scoresheet, but will also bring with it some opportunity for other youngsters to gain some added time in bigger moments.
“Without having Connor here, it’s such a great opportunity for other guys. Zack Smith stepped in there and played really good – intense, hard, he competed hard.
“Guys like Braxton Whitehead, even (Easton) Armstrong. Those guys play more minutes. Not that they’re going to take over and do what Connor does, but just opportunities.”
Regina looks to return to .500 Tuesday night when they face off against the Prince Albert Raiders for an 8 p.m. contest inside the Subway WHL Hub.
