New Look Pats Face Wheat Kings
Pats vs. Wheat Kings – Brandt Centre – 7 p.m.
620 CKRM, Access7, WHL Live
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (1-1-0-0) and Brandon Wheat Kings (1-1-0-1) officially match up for the first time since their 2015 second round playoff series tonight at the Brandt Centre (7 p.m.). The Blue and White held a 3-5-0-0 record against Brandon during the 2014-15 season. Graduated forward Braden Christoffer led the team with 11 points (4G, 7A) in eight games against Brandon. Sam Steel tops the list of returning Pats with eight points (3G, 5A) in seven games played against the Wheat Kings last season. The Pats head into this evening’s contest following a week off game action. Tune into tonight’s game on RM2 at sportscage.ca starting at 6:35 p.m. and on Access7 starting shortly before puck drop.
The Pats take to the ice sporting their next generation jerseys for the first time tonight. After delivering a sneak peek to Season Ticket Holders and a preview in EA Sports NHL 16, the Pats officially unveiled their new look on Thursday. The most noticeable change is a shift from royal to navy blue on the jerseys along with a more simple and clean design. The PPCLI shoulder cresting remains in place, now adorning both blue and white jerseys. The new jerseys are available for purchase from the Neutral Zone Authentic Pats Sportwear both in store and online.
“These new uniforms are meant to reflect the new direction for Regina Pats hockey,” said Pats President Todd Lumbard. “We are working to build a first-class organization on and off the ice and this uniform complements just that.”
Pats Head Coach and GM John Paddock won’t be behind the bench tonight. He is in Winnipeg to be inducted to the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Paddock will be enshrined in the ‘builders category’ alongside three other builders, four players, one official, one media and three teams. Dave Struch will be the Pats’ head coach of record.
The Pats will need to be on their best behaviour after the Brandon powerplay struck for three goals in the teams’ two pre-season games. Penalty killing took a quick 180-degree turn for the Pats in their second game. The season opener saw the Queen City Kids allow three powerplay goals on four chances. Next time out, the Pats blanked the Warriors, killing off all six powerplay opportunities including two key chances in the third period.
The Pats and Wheat Kings have met a whopping 29 times since the 2013 pre-season. That frequency, including two playoff matchups, is building a fierce rivalry between the clubs.
“It has become a rivalry in the last couple years,” said forward Austin Wagner. “It was Moose Jaw before, but now it’s starting to become more Brandon with us. We know they’re a good team and they’re going to be wanting the win.”
Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. Tickets tonight’s game and Sunday’s matchup with Calgary are available at Ticketmaster.ca, the Brandt Centre Box Office and Safeway locations throughout Regina.
