Important Points on the Line in Against Red Deer
Head-to-Head
The Regina Pats (25-20-3-2) and Red Deer Rebels (25-21-0-2) match up for the final time of the 2013-14 season this evening. The Pats look to take the season series coming into tonight with a 2-1-0-0 record against Red Deer. Last time out, Carter Hansen tallied a hat trick and the Pats rolled to a 6-2 victory over the Rebels in Regina. Chandler Stephenson leads the Pats with six points (2G, 4A) against Red Deer this season. 2014 NHL Draft Prospect Conner Bleackley heads into tonight’s matchup with four points (2G, 2A) against Regina this season. Coming into their final matchup of the season the Pats snapped a two game losing streak with a big win last night while the Rebels roll into Regina on a three game win streak after a 3-2 win in Saskatoon. This evening’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM starting at 6:35 p.m. CST
Lead Up: Pats Start Home-stand with 8-0 Win Over Cougars
The Pats got on a roll early and didn’t stop till the buzzer sounded Friday night. Boston Leier scored twice in a five goal first period for the Blue and White and completed the hat-trick in a three goal final frame. Leier and Morgan Klimchuk each finished with four point on the night while Dawson MacAuley pitched in with the shutout in the 8-0 victory.
Four in Five
Tonight is the culmination of the Pats’ second four game in five night stretch of the season. The first came in December when the Pats earned points in every game, going 1-0-1-2 in the set. So far, the Pats are 1-2-0-0 in the preceding three games leading into tonight. The Blue and White will play four games in five nights one more time this season between February 25th and March 1st.
Back in the Goal Column
Boston Leier burst back onto the goal scoring scene last night with his second hat-trick of the season. The over-age forward hadn’t found the back of the net in five straight times and only once in the second half of the season. Leier’s trick brought him to 29 goals on the season, tied for 6th in the WHL. He also added an assist for a four point night, his third with at least four points on the season.
Goose Egg
With Pats goaltending legend, Ed Staniowski, in the building for his bobblehead night, Dawson MacAuley made 21 saves for his third shutout of the season and WHL career. With his third clean sheet of the season, MacAuley is tied for 5th in the WHL in that category. He sits two behind the Pats all-time record set by Warren Fisher in the 1967-68 season.
Who to Watch on Red Deer
The Rebels added to their forward ranks by acquiring 19-year old Aspen Sterzer from the Kamloops Blazers at the Trade Deadline. Sterzer played his 150th WHL game last night in Saskatoon and has six points (3G, 3A) in six games since joining the Rebels.
Upcoming Schedule
vs. Saskatoon – Friday, January 31st, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM/Access7)
vs. Moose Jaw – Saturday, February 1st, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
vs. Medicine Hat – Tuesday, February 4th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Stat Book
Streaks
2 – Morgan Klimchuk has points in back-to-back games with 5 points (2G, 3A)
2 – Boston Leier has points in back-to-back games with 5 points (3G, 2A)
2 – Dyson Stevenson has points in back-to-back games with three points (1G, 2A)
2 – Carter Hansen has goals in back-to-back games with 2 goals (2G)
Milestones
Games Played
250 – Logan McVeigh has played 244 games in his WHL career
250 – Boston Leier has played 243 games in his WHL career
100 – Adam Brooks has played 97 games in his WHL career
100 – Griffin Mumby has played 92 games in his WHL career
Statistical
400 – Dyson Stevenson has accumulated 382 penalty minutes in his WHL career
150 – Boston Leier registered the 150th point of his WHL career January 22nd at Edmonton
28 – Dyson Stevenson set a new career high with his 28th assist January 24th vs. Prince George
