Pats and Wheat Kings Meet in Matinee
Head-to-Head
The Regina Pats (30-22-3-3) face the Brandon Wheat Kings (28-23-6-2) as the teams continue to battle for the East Division lead. The Pats come in tied with Swift Current for the division lead, but have one game in hand. Regina holds a 2-2-1-0 record against the Wheat Kings this season with both teams’ wins all coming on home ice. The last time the Pats and Wheat Kings tangled, the Blue and White came back from a 3-0 deficit in the third period before falling 4-3 in overtime. Chandler Stephenson leads the Pats in the season series with eight points (4G, 4A) over five games. Richard Nejezchleb (5GP) and Peter Quenneville (4GP) are the top Wheat Kings with eight points in the season set. Coming into tonight’s game, the Pats have points in four straight games, but fell in the shootout in their last contest. The Wheat Kings have dropped five straight including a 5-3 loss to Kootenay on Saturday, but have points in two of those losses. This evening’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM starting at 1:35 p.m. CST.
TrustedRegina.com #SocialMediaDay
It’s the Pats’ first #SocialMediaDay presented by TrustedRegina.com today. Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for contests and interactive events during the day. Get ready for some social media Pats trivia during the game with some great prizes up for grabs courtesy of TrustedRegina.com.
Lead Up: Pats Great Effort Falls Short in 4-3 SO Loss to Broncos
The Blue and White dominated possession and zone control against the Swift Current Broncos, but couldn’t break the game open as they traded leads with the Broncos. Swift Current opened the scoring, only to have Connor Gay and Braden Christoffer respond for the Pats. Colby Cave scored twice to regain the Bronco lead before Dyson Stevenson tied things with a powerplay goal. Eetu Laurikainen was perfect in the shootout while Daniel Wapple allowed his first shootout goal of the season as the Broncos stole one at the Brandt Centre, 4-3.
Home Series
Much like 2012-13, the 2013-14 edition of the Pats/Wheat Kings season series is shaping up to be a home series. The Pats have won both of their home games convincingly with a +8 goal differential in two games. In Brandon, the Wheat Kings have held sway winning one game in the final minute, another in overtime and rolling to an 8-0 win. After today’s game, the Pats and Wheat Kings conclude their set with a home and home in the final weekend of the season.
Matinee Games
Today is the final time the Pats take part in a matinee game this season. The Blue and White have played in three such contests so far and hold a 2-1-0-0 record in afternoon games. The Pats won their first two matinee games against Brandon (5-1) and Moose Jaw (3-1), but fell in their previous afternoon contest to Lethbridge (6-3) on New Year’s Day.
Who to Watch on Brandon
Import forward Richard Nejezchleb is in the midst of a breakout season. After an injury hampered rookie season in the WHL, Nejezchleb is finding the back of the net with regularity as he’s just one away from the 30 goal plateau. The Slavia Praha, CZE native has 46 points in 55 games this season for Brandon.
Upcoming Schedule
at Saskatoon – Wednesday, February 19th, 7:00 p.m. – Credit Union Centre (CKRM)
vs. Victoria – Friday, February 21st, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
vs. Calgary – Saturday, February 22nd, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Stat Book
Streaks
7 – Daniel Wapple has started seven straight games with a 5-1-0-1 record
4 – Boston Leier is on a four game point streak with 6 points (2G, 4A)
4 – Braden Christoffer is on a four game point streak with 5 points (3G, 2A)
4 – Patrick D’Amico is on a four game point streak with 5 points (1G, 4A)
2 – Kyle Burroughs has assists in back-to-back games with 2 assists (2A)
2 – Colby Williams has assists in back-to-back games with 2 assists (2A)
Milestones
Games Played
250 – Logan McVeigh played the 250th game of his WHL career February 12th vs. Kootenay
250 – Boston Leier played the 250th game of his WHL career February 14th at Prince Albert
250 – Jesse Zgraggen has played 244 games in his WHL career
100 – Griffin Mumby has played 97 games in his WHL career
Statistical
400 – Dyson Stevenson has accumulated 399 penalty minutes in his WHL career
20 – Colby Williams set a new career high with his 20th point February 15th vs. Swift Current
