Pats and Warriors Face Off in Key Weekend

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (35-22-5-4) close out the 2014-15 Regular Season edition of the Trans-Canada Clash with a home and home against the Moose Jaw Warriors (29-33-4-1) starting tonight at Mosaic Place (7 p.m.).  The Pats own a 4-0-2-0 record against the Warriors in six previous meetings.  In their last matchup, the Pats outlasted the Warriors in a 6-2 victory in Regina.  Adam Brooks leads the Pats with nine points (5G, 4A) in six games against Moose Jaw.  Rookie forward Brett Howden is the top Warrior with seven points (4G, 3A) in six games.  Coming into this evening’s contest, the Pats are back in the win column after a 4-1 victory in Swift Current on Wednesday.  The Warriors come in just two points back of the Broncos despite falling 5-3 in Brandon on Tuesday.  Tune into tonight’s game on 620 CKRM starting at 6:35 p.m.

Lead Up: Big Third Key in 4-1 Win Versus Broncos
Tied 1-1 after forty minutes in Swift Current, the Pats scored three times in the final frame to capture a 4-1 win over the Broncos.  Pavel Padakin and Jesse Gabrielle scored just ten seconds apart and Gabrielle added extra insurance with a powerplay marker.  Jake Leschyshyn scored the Pats’ opening goal in the first and was matched by Jay Merkley.  Tyler Brown turned aside 29 shots, earning his sixth win of the season.

Points in Bunches
Since coming to Regina from Brandon, Jesse Gabrielle shows a penchant for picking up points in quick succession.  The 2015 NHL Draft eligible forward has five multi-point games with the Pats, twice reaching three points.  Gabrielle had two goals and an assist on Wednesday, bringing his total to 18 points (10G, 8A) in 29 games wearing Blue and White.   

Guarding the Pipes
Rookie netminder Tyler Brown has been busy in recent weeks as the goaltender of record in three of the Pats’ previous four games.  The Winnipeg, MB product has made 16 appearances for the Blue and White this season while allowing just one goal in seven of those contests.  Brown holds a 6-5-1-0 record with a 3.18 GAA and 0.897 SV%

Five at Fifty
With Pavel Padakin surpassing the 50 point plateau this week, the Pats feature five players with over 50 points.  Adam Brooks (59), Taylor Cooper (58), Braden Christoffer (55), Sam Steel (54) and Padakin (52) combine to make the Pats one of five teams with five or more players over 50. (BDN-8, VIC-8, KEL-5, POR-5)

Streaks
6 – Adam Brooks has points in six straight games with 10 points (5G, 5A)
4 – Taylor Cooper has points in four straight games with 8 points (1G, 7A)
2 – Pavel Padakin has points in two straight games with 4 points (2G, 2A)

Milestones
Games Played
200 – Pavel Padakin played the 200^th game of his WHL career March 10^th at Prince Albert
200 – Braden Christoffer has played 196 games in his WHL career
100 – Chase Harrison played the 100^th game of his WHL career March 11^th at Swift Current
100 – Austin Wagner has played 99 games in his WHL career

Statistical
50 – Pavel Padakin reached the 50 point mark for the second time in his career March 10^th at Prince Albert
32– Colby Williams surpassed his previous career high in points March 7^th at Edmonton

Upcoming Schedule
vs. Moose Jaw – Saturday, March 14^th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
vs. Brandon – Tuesday, March 17^th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM/Access7)
vs. Prince Albert – Friday, March 20^th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)