Pats and Wheat Kings Open Series in Regina
Head-to-Head
The Regina Pats (39-26-4-3) and Brandon Wheat Kings (34-29-6-3) meet for the third time in a row to begin the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals. The Pats finished the season 1st in the East Division and were 3-3-2-0 against the Wheat Kings who sit in the 7th seed. Their previous two meetings saw Brandon steal a win in Regina and roll to a playoff clinching victory the next night. Chandler Stephenson led the Pats in the Regular Season with eleven points (4G, 7A) in eight games against Brandon. Peter Quenneville led all skaters with 15 points (7G, 8A) in seven games of the season series and scored five goals in the final two games. This evening’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM starting at 6:00 p.m.
Rock the Red
The Pats announced their playoff theme this week and are encouraging fans to “Rock the Red” and wear red to home games throughout the playoffs. Lucky fans at both home games this weekend will receive a Pats noisemaker they can bring with them to both games. The 2013-14 Pats Yearbook featuring playoff rosters will also be available on the concourse starting at Saturday’s game free while supplies last.
Lead Up: Pats End Regular Season with 6-3 Loss to Brandon
The Pats jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Dmitry Sinitsyn and Connor Gay, but the Wheat Kings responded with five unanswered goals through the first and second period. The final frame saw the Pats get back within two when Boston Leier’s centering pass deflected into the net, but Brandon would ice the game on an empty net goal for the 6-3 win.
All-Star Nomination
Chandler Stephenson led the Pats in scoring with 89 points (30G, 59A) and was recognized for his efforts this season as Stephenson was named an Eastern Conference Second Team All-Star. Stephenson led the WHL with 8 shorthanded goals.
Up in the 30’s
The Pats come into the playoffs featuring four thirty goal scorers from the Regular Season. Dyson Stevenson led the way with 38, Boston Leier scored 33 while Morgan Klimchuk and Chandler Stephenson both had 30 to their name.
Playoff (In)Experience
It’s uncharted territory for many players on both sides of this series. The Pats come in with 13 players yet to touch the ice in the WHL Playoffs while the Wheat Kings feature 16 who have yet to see their first playoff action. Boston Leier leads the Pats with 30 playoff games to his name followed closely by Jesse Zgraggen with 26.
Who to Watch on Brandon
The Wheat Kings get their top scorer back to start the playoffs. Jayce Hawryluk had been serving a four game suspension to wrap up the Regular Season. Hawryluk finished the season with 64 points (24G, 40A) in 59 games.
Upcoming Games
Game Two vs. Brandon – Sunday, March 23rd, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Game Three at Brandon – Wednesday, March 26th, 6:00 p.m. CST – Westman Place (CKRM)
Game Four at Brandon – Friday, March 28th, 6:30 p.m. CST – Westman Place (CKRM)
Stat Book
Streaks
4 – Morgan Klimchuk enters the playoffs on a five game point streak with 6 points (2G, 4A)
3 – Connor Gay enters the playoffs on a three game goal streak with four goals (4G)
3 – Dyson Stevenson enters the playoffs with points in his last three games played with 7 points (3G, 4A)
Age Make-Up
1998 Born – 1 (Steel)
1997 Born – 3 (Zimmer, Reagan, Wagner)
1996 Born – 4 (Brooks, Mumby, HarrisonL, KammererL)
1995 Born – 8 (Klimchuk, Hand, Williams, Burroughs, HuntL, Gay, Hansen, Schacher, Wapple, Fuhr)
1994 Born – 5 (Sinitsyn, Stephenson, Christoffer, MacAuley, D’AmicoL, McVeigh)
1993 Born – 3 (Stevenson, Leier, Zgraggen)
Geographical Make-Up
Alberta – 7 (Klimchuk, Christoffer, Mumby, Reagan, Wagner, Zgraggen, Steel, Fuhr)
British Columbia – 3 (Hunt, Burroughs, Schacher)
Saskatchewan – 9 (Stephenson, Stevenson, Williams, Gay, MacAuley, Hansen, Leier, McVeigh, Wapple)
Manitoba– 4 (Brooks, Harrison, Zimmer D’Amico)
Northwest Territories – 1 (Hand)
Russia – 1 (Sinitsyn)
Germany – 1 (Kammerer)
Organizational Make-Up
Bantam Draft 1st Round – 3 (Klimchuk (’10), Stephenson (’09), Steel (’13))
Bantam Draft 2nd Round – 2 (Brooks (’11), Reagan (’12))
Bantam Draft 3rd Round – 2 (Burroughs (’10), Mumby (’11))
Bantam Draft 4th Round – 1 (Williams (’10))
Bantam Draft 5th Round – 3 (Stevenson (’08), Wagner (’12), Zimmer (’12))
CHL Import Draft – 2 (Sinitsyn (’13), Kammerer (’13))
List – 5 (Christoffer, Hunt, Gay, Harrison, D’Amico, Fuhr)
Trade – 8 (Hand, MacAuley, Hansen, Leier, Zgraggen, Schacher, McVeigh, Wapple)
Drafted/Signed Players
Morgan Klimchuk (CGY 1st ’13 – Signed), Kyle Burroughs (NYI 7th ’13), Chandler Stephenson (WSH 3rd ’12),
Dmitry Sinitsyn (DAL 7th ’12)
Pats in the NHL
Jordan Eberle (Edmonton), Martin Marincin (Edmonton), Josh Harding (Minnesota), Barret Jackman (St. Louis),
Brad Stuart (San Jose), Derek Morris (Phoenix), Colton Orr (Toronto), Victor Bartley (Nashville)
Pats in the AHL
Lane Scheidl (Worcester), Jordan Weal (Manchester), Garrett Mitchell (Hershey), Garnet Exelby (Norfolk), Dean Arsene (Abbotsford), Brandon Davidson (Oklahoma City), Carter Ashton (Toronto)
