Division Rivals Clash in Saskatoon
Head-to-Head
The Regina Pats (22-17-3-2) face off with the Saskatoon Blades (12-30-1-3) for the fifth time this season. The Blue and White own a 4-0-0-0 record against Saskatoon with two wins coming in the shootout. Boston Leier and Dyson Stevenson lead the Pats into this evening’s game; each with seven points (3G, 4A) in four games against Saskatoon. Nikita Scherbak is the top Blade with eight points (2G, 6A) in the four contests. Heading into tonight’s contest the Pats have seven of a possible eight points in their last four games while the Blades have dropped three straight including last night’s 5-0 loss to Swift Current. This evening’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM starting at 6:35 p.m.
Lead Up: Pats Knock Off Hitmen 3-2
It was as good a test as could be found for the Pats against the Eastern Conference’s top team. The Pats pushed themselves to a 3-0 lead on the strength of two shorthanded goals (Stevenson, Stephenson) and Boston Leier’s 26th of the season. Jake Virtanen (PP) and Brady Brassart (6-on-5) scored to cut the lead down, but the Blue and White held on to the 3-2 victory with Dawson MacAuley making 29 saves for the victory.
Towering Twenty
With the 29 save victory last night against Calgary, Dawson MacAuley earned his 20th win of the season. The victory leaves MacAuley fifth in the league in wins, he’s also tied for first in the league for appearances with 38 on the year.
Shorthanded Snipers
Chandler Stephenson and Dyson Stevenson each scored a shorthanded goal last night, bringing the Pats season total to ten on the year. That ties the Blue and White for second in the WHL with Portland behind Spokane’s eleven. Chandler Stephenson has scored six of the Pats’ shorties to put him two ahead of the next closest on the leaderboard.
Another Career Mark
Dyson Stevenson became the latest Pat to set a new career high in single season points with his shorthanded goal last night. With his 44th point and 20th goal on the season, Stevenson surpassed his previous 62 game total of 43 points
(16G, 27A). Stevenson is just three assists shy of his career high set last season.
Who to Watch on Saskatoon
The Blades were one of the busiest teams in the WHL leading into the Trade Deadline. They made two additions on the blue-line in MacKenzie Johnston (’93) and Tyler Dea (’95). The two former Prince Albert Raiders join Dylan Busenius to form half of the Blades D-Core.
Upcoming Schedule
vs. Kootenay – Friday, January 17th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
at Prince Albert – Saturday, January 18th, 7:00 p.m. – Art Hauser Centre (CKRM)
at Calgary – Tuesday, January 21st, 8:00 p.m. CST – Scotiabank Saddledome (CKRM)
Stat Book
Streaks
5 – Boston Leier is on a five game point streak with six points (1G, 5A)
4 – Morgan Klimchuk is on a four game point streak with five points (1G, 4A)
3 – Patrick D’Amico is on a three game point streak with four points (1G, 3A)
Milestones
Games Played
200 – Chandler Stephenson played the 200th game of his WHL career January 4th at Brandon
Statistical
150 – Morgan Klimchuk has 147 points in his WHL career
150 – Boston Leier has 147 points in his WHL career
44 – Dyson Stevenson set a new single season career high with his 44th point (20G, 24A) January 10th vs. Calgary
3 – Carter Hansen scored his first WHL hat-trick and multi-goal game January 8th vs. Red Deer
2 – Patrick D’Amico recorded his first WHL multi-point game (2A) January 8th vs. Red Deer
