Pats Look for Offensive Spark Against Giants
Regina Pats vs. Vancouver Giants (7 p.m.) – Brandt Centre
RM2 (sportscage.ca), WHL Live Web TV
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (1-3-0-0) face their first Western Conference opponent in the Vancouver Giants (3-2-0-1) at the Brandt Centre (7 p.m.). The Pats took a 6-2 victory in Vancouver in the teams’ lone meeting of the 2014-15 season. Adam Brooks led the way for returning Pats with a goal and an assist in the contest. Over the teams’ previous four meetings, the Pats are 2-1-0-1 against Vancouver. The Queen City Kids head into this evening’s matchup on nearly a week’s rest after dropping two straight last weekend. Tonight’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM beginning at 6:35 p.m.
The Pats haven’t found their offensive stride in the opening few games of the season. The team has just four goals in four games with three of those coming in a 3-2 win over Moose Jaw on opening weekend. Sam Steel was involved in three of those goals with a goal and two assists in the first two games of the season.
“We need to get back to playing our game,” Head Coach John Paddock told reporters yesterday. “It’s about playing how we can play which means more will, it means a little better execution and staying out of the penalty box.”
Discipline and the penalty kill has been stinging the Pats in the early part of the season. The Blue and White have plenty of incentive to stay out of the box having only allowed six even strength goals in four games while allowing eight powerplay goals.
“We’ve only given up six even strength goals in four games, which is pretty good by any standard,” continued Paddock. “You’re usually a winning hockey team if you do that so it complements our five on five play, at least without the puck. The stupid penalties have been beyond. That’s why a guy was sat out and another guy sat for about 25 minutes the other night.”
This weekend marks the final games of a five game home stand for the Queen City Kids. With a long Alberta road swing looming, the Pats know they need to take advantage these matchups with Vancouver and Edmonton on home ice.
“We have a big road trip coming up so it’s huge to win at home before that happens,” “We have a young team and obviously we’re going to do our best, but who knows how guys are going to react to certain situations? It will be a learning experience for everybody. That’s where me and the older guys need to show them the way on the road and on long road trips to be consistent.”
Off the ice, tonight marks the debut of a new promotion at the Brandt Centre with concessions offering $4 cans of beer all night. Tickets for this evening versus Vancouver and Sunday’s matchup against Edmonton are available at Ticketmaster.ca, the Brandt Centre Box Office and Safeway locations throughout Regina.
