Pats Drop Close Tilt with Hitmen
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (14-12-2-1) played their first home game since November 17 against the Calgary Hitmen (20-11-1-1). Colton Kroeker had a goal and an assist, but the Pats fell 4-3.
Scoring Summary
First Period
Regina – Colton Kroeker (6) – Unassisted – 5:39
Calgary – Travis Sanheim (8) from Stukel and Fazleev – 7:15 (PP)
Regina – Connor Hobbs (8) from Kroeker and Steel – 12:28
Calgary – Layne Bensmiller (6) from Bean and Tr. Sanheim – 12:49
Second Period
Regina – Lane Zablocki (8) from Cooper and Williams – 10:37 (PP)
Calgary – Jakob Stukel (16) from Fazleev and Bean – 16:17 (PP)
Third Period
Calgary – Carsen Twarynski (7) from Stallard – 10:00
Shots on Goal
Regina – 11-10-12-(33) Calgary – 8-12-10-(30)
Powerplay
Regina – 1/3 Calgary – 2/6
Game Story
Colton Kroeker got the ball rolling just ahead of the six minute mark when he fought off a check on a partial break, then went to the back hand for a sweet finish and a 1-0 Pats lead. Regina almost made it 2-0 when Taylor Cooper found himself alone in front, but Cody Porter came across to make a brilliant save. Just a couple minutes after the Pats’ goal, Travis Sanheim walked around a pair of Pats penalty killers before snapping the puck to the back of the Pats net. The Blue and White grabbed the lead back when Kroeker laid the puck out for Connor Hobbs to blast a shot by Porter and restore the Pats advantage. The visitors found another quick reply as just 21 seconds later, Layne Bensmiller put a wrister by Jordan Hollett to tie the game 2-2.
Hollett opened the second by putting on a show. The rookie robbed Layne Bensmiller twice on the doorstep to keep the game tied. The Pats rewarded their netminder on the powerplay. Colby Williams made a slick move into the zone before dropping a pass to Cooper whose shot was blocked, but made its way to Lane Zablocki who drilled it into the goal just over the midway point of the frame. Again, the Hitmen bounced back with a powerplay goal. Jakob Stukel’s one timer knuckled its way to the top corner for a 3-3 tie after forty minutes.
Just one marker went on the board in the third period and it went to the visitors. Carsen Twarynski tipped a Jordy Stallard pass over Hollett to give Calgary its first lead of the night at the ten minute mark. With the Pats pressing and the net empty, the Radel Fazleev nearly iced the game, but the shot into the yawning cage was taken off the board due to an offside call. Despite staying alive in the game, the 4-3 score held as the Pats couldn’t find a tying marker.
What’s Next?
The Pats remain on home ice to welcome the defending WHL champion Kelowna Rockets on Friday, December 11. It’s Teddy Bear Toss night, so be sure to bring along a new stuffed toy to throw on the ice when the Pats score their first goal. The toys will be delivered to children in Regina care centres as well as donated to local charities including the Salvation Army and Regina Palliative Care Inc. Tickets are available at reginapats.com/teddybear.
Named for the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats are the oldest major junior hockey franchise in the world. Since their founding in 1917, the Pats have won three Memorial Cup championships and compete in the WHL’s Eastern Division. To learn more about the Pats, call 306-337-1535 or visit www.reginapats.com.
