Hoflin Shuts Down Pats in Cranbrook

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (4-4-1-0) played a strong game and did everything but score a goal against the Kootenay Ice (3-6-0-0) in a 1-0 road loss.

First Period
Speed was the name of the game as the Pats and Ice raced through a high tempo first period.  Both teams garnered one powerplay chance in the opening frame.  Regina successfully killed off the Kootenay chance, not allowing the Ice to set up until the final seconds of the powerplay.  The Pats almost made good on their advantage as Sam Steel set up a pair of back-door chances.  Braden Christoffer’s opportunity went off the backboards and came to Pavel Padakin, but the over-age forward banged the puck off the post resulting in a scoreless tie after one.  Regina held sway over the shots in the first, 9-7.

Second Period
An early interference penalty on Dryden Hunt gave the Ice their second powerplay of the contest.  Just six seconds into the advantage Troy Murray lifted a shot from the point that found its way to the back of the net past Daniel Wapple who was screened on the play.  The Pats carried the attack for most of the period, outshooting the Ice 14-6 in the second, but couldn’t find a tying goal.  The game went to the third with Kootenay up 1-0 despite trailing Regina 23-13 on the shot count.

Third Period
The final frame saw the Blue and White continue to bring the attack as they pressed for a tying goal.  Regina outshot Kootenay 11-3 in the third, but had to deal with goaltender Wyatt Hoflin.  The penalty kill came up with a big stop midway through the period as the visitors outshot the home side in the powerplay.  Pavel Padakin set up Sergey Zborovskiy for a quick one-timer, but Hoflin was equal to the task.  The Queen City Kids earned a powerplay of their own, but the Pats couldn’t find the tying marker despite some good opportunities.  With seconds left of the clock, the Pats won an offensive zone draw and Kyle Burroughs fired a quick shot that was turned away by Hoflin to seal the 1-0 Ice win.  Overall the Pats outshot Kootenay 34-16.

The Pats take their road trip to Lethbridge where they face off with the Hurricanes for the first time this season in a 7:00 p.m. puck drop. Tune in at 6:35 for Home Depot Pats Hockey on 620 CKRM.