Gabrielle Strikes for Two in Pats Win
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (30-17-4-2) faced their final Western Conference opponent, taking on the Spokane Chiefs (25-22-3-1) and earned their 30th win of the season, 4-2 over the Chiefs.
The contest didn’t start on a high note for the Pats as they found themselves down a goal just 1:12 into the game. Riley Whittingham fired a shot from the point that found its way through the crowd and past Daniel Wapple to open the scoring. It took just over half the period for the Pats to find their first shot, but when they did, good things happened. Sergey Zborovskiy’s shot rebounded off Garrett Hughson and Jesse Gabrielle won the race to poke it over the line, tying the game 1-1. Shots were few and far between overall with the Chiefs outshooting the Pats 8-5 in the frame.
The middle period saw the Pats earn a few more scoring opportunities, but Hughson turned them away before Gabrielle struck again just shy of the midway point. The Spokane netminder played the puck around the boards to the waiting stick of Gabrielle who spun and fired before Hughson could get set in the net. The puck found the far side on the sharp angle for the Moosomin, SK native’s second of the night. Despite powerplay opportunities for both sides, Gabrielle’s would be the only marker as the Blue and White carried a 2-1 lead to the break while being outshot 19-16.
The final frame saw the Chiefs on the attack, looking for the tying goal. Daniel Wapple held the line, turning away great chances from Kailer and Keanu Yamamoto and Dominic Zwerger. Those stops gave the Pats a chance to get some insurance as Braden Christoffer rolled in on a two-on-one with Sam Steel. The captain went cross-crease for the rookie who went upstairs to give the Pats a two goal edge 9:17 into the period. The Pats looked to put away Spokane on a powerplay, but found themselves on the wrong side of a shorthanded goal. Adam Helewka stole the puck in his own end and kept on a two-on-one, snapping a shot to the back of the net, cutting into the lead with under six minutes left. The visitors pulled their goaltender, pressing for the equalizer, but Sam Steel and Patrick D’Amico combined to give D’Amico the empty netter and the Pats a 4-2 final score. Wapple turned aside 29 shots in the victory while the Queen City Kids put 26 shots toward Hughson.
The Pats head out on the road Tuesday to faceoff against Dryden Hunt, Kyle Burroughs and the Medicine Hat Tigers. Don’t miss the action starting at 7:35 p.m. CST on 620 CKRM and WHL Live Web TV.
