Pats in Need of Rebound Against Blades
Head-to-Head
The Regina Pats (17-13-1-1) go up against the Saskatoon Blades (10-21-1-2) for the second time in one week and third on the season. The Pats took the last meeting between the teams, 3-2, in Saskatoon and hold a 2-0-0-0 record in action with the Blades this season. Dyson Stevenson leads the Blue and White with five points (3G, 2A) in two games against Saskatoon. Nathan Burns leads the Blades against Regina with four goals, all of them coming in the teams’ first tilt. Coming into tonight’s contest, the Pats look to avoid losing two in a row after they fell, 4-3, in the shootout to Kamloops While the Blades hope to snap a seven game slide after a 3-1 loss to Edmonton on Tuesday. This evening’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM starting at 6:35 p.m.
Lead Up: Wild Finish Results in 3-2 Loss for Pats
The night was going well for the Pats after celebrating a successful Teddy Bear Toss in the first period on Boston Leier’s 21st goal of the year, the Blue and White held a 2-1 lead over Kamloops late in the third. The Blazers would tie things late, and quickly add the go-ahead marker with under one minute left on the clock. Leier and some puck luck would salvage a point for the Pats as he scored off a skate to tie things just seconds later. The shootout numbers favoured the Pats, but they wouldn’t be able to beat goaltender Taran Kozun and the Blazers walked out of Regina 4-3 winners.
Breaking a Streak
The Pats’ 3-2 win in Saskatoon last week was their first win after ten straight losses at the Credit Union Centre. Their previous win came on March 10th, 2010. In their last fifteen trips (inc. Saturday), the Pats are 3-11-1-0 in the Bridge City.
Acclimating to the League
After only registering one point in the month of October, Dmitry Sinitsyn is finding the scoresheet with increasing regularity. The Moscow, RUS native had nine points (1G, 8A) in November and already has four assists in December, registering points in three out of four games this month. With those numbers, Sinitsyn sits tied for 11th in rookie scoring.
Penalty Killing
Despite still being ranked last in the WHL while down a man, the Pats’ penalty kill (71.6%) has seen a turnaround in recent games. The Pats PK has killed nine straight penalties over the last two games including four against the Blades’ top ranked unit.
Who to Watch on Saskatoon
It was a tumultuous start to the season for forward Cory Millette. The former Rebel found himself reassigned to the Estevan Bruins (SJHL) by Red Deer, then traded to the Blades. In 28 games this season, Millette has 14 points (8G, 6A) with a goal and an assist coming against the Pats last week.
Upcoming Schedule
vs. Kelowna – Saturday, December 14th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
at Medicine Hat – Sunday, December 15th, 7:00 p.m. CST – Medicine Hat Arena (CKRM)
at Calgary – Tuesday, December 17th, 8:00 p.m. CST – Scotiabank Saddledome (CKRM)
Stat Book
Streaks
6 – Dyson Stevenson is on a five game point streak with 9 points (5G, 4A)
3 – Boston Leier is on a three game point streak with 5 points (3G, 2A)
2 – Dryden Hunt has two points in back-to-back games with 4 points (2G, 2A)
Milestones
Games Played
100 – Braden Christoffer has played 95 games in his WHL career
100 – Dryden Hunt has played 93 games in his WHL career
100 – Colby Williams has played 92 games in his WHL career
Statistical
50 – Jesse Zgraggen has 49 points in his WHL career
17 – Dyson Stevenson set a new regular season career high with his 17th goal December 7th at Saskatoon
