REGINA — The Regina Pats have sustained back-to-back four-goal losses, but the similarities pretty much end there in the assessment of head coach Curtis Hunt.

One day after losing 7-3 at home to the Edmonton Oil Kings, the Pats fell 6-2 to the host Saskatoon Blades on Saturday. However, Hunt was much more encouraged by Saturday’s showing.

“Edmonton skated around our zone like we weren’t even out there,” Hunt said. “At least (against Saskatoon), we had a little bite. We made some mistakes, but we had more bite.”

The Pats trailed 4-1 after Saturday’s first period, in which they were outshot 15-6. Thereafter, Regina outshot the home team 27-18, only to be repeatedly stymied by Steven Stanford.

“Their goaltender was the difference-maker for them,” Hunt said.

Stanford was especially effective when Saskatoon was assessed back-to-back minor penalties in the second period. The Pats, trailing 4-2 at the time, were unable to score on a power play that lasted three minutes 39 seconds. Regina had a two-man advantage for 21 seconds during that span.

“That was a hinge moment in the game,” Hunt said.

The Blades got goals from Marek Viedensky, Matej Stransky, Brett Stovin, Curtis Hamilton, Curt Gogol and Braeden Johnson. Mikael Jung and Jordan Weal scored for Regina, which got 25 saves from Dawson Guhle.

Guhle was backed up by rookie Matt Hewitt because veteran Damien Ketlo was unavailable. Ketlo suffered an apparent shoulder injury while fighting with Oil Kings goalie Cam Lanigan on Friday. Hunt expects to be updated on Ketlo’s status today.

The Pats will carry a 1-4-0 record into Wednesday’s home game against the Red Deer Rebels (7 p.m., Brandt Centre). Despite the unflattering slate, Hunt is not pushing any panic buttons at this juncture.

“We need to keep in mind what time of year it is,” he said. “There’s lots of good things that happened (Saturday) that we can build on, moving forward.”

The Pats are tied for last place in the six-team East Division with the Moose Jaw Warriors (1-4-0), who lost 3-2 in Edmonton on Sunday. Jordan Hickmott led the Oil Kings with a goal and an assist. Nathan MacMaster and Spencer Edwards scored for Moose Jaw, which lost 6-2 to the host Calgary Hitmen on Saturday.