Pats Look to Hold Off Tigers
Regina Pats vs. Medicine Hat Tigers (7 p.m.) – Brandt Centre
Game Sponsor: Sun Life Financial
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (21-22-3-4) enter into another key matchup at the Brandt Centre (7 p.m.) when they host the Medicine Hat Tigers (20-28-3-1). The Tigers sit just five points back of the Pats in the race to the WHL Playoffs. It’s the third meeting of the season between the two teams with the Pats holding 2-0-0-0 record against the Tigers. Their previous meeting saw the Blue and White take a 4-2 victory on home ice. Adam Brooks and Sam Steel lead the team with four points (2G, 2A) each against Medicine Hat. Tyler Brown picked up a win in his only appearance against Medicine Hat this season. The Pats come into tonight’s game having split their last four games with a 2-2-0-0 record following a 7-3 loss to Saskatoon on Saturday. Tonight’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM beginning at 6:35 p.m.
The folks from Craven Country Jamboree will be in the house tonight with great prizes to give away. Prizes range from Weekend Passes, Backstage Tours, Artist Meet and Greets and even a Gold Campsite for Craven 2016. You won’t want to miss your chance to get in on the action – all you need to do to qualify is be in attendance at the game. Everyone is eligible to win.
Cole Sanford played in a total of 274 games (regular season/playoffs) for the Medicine Hat Tigers before coming over to the Pats at the WHL Trade Deadline. The Vernon, B.C. product posted 221 points (109G, 112A) in his 238 games of regular season action and 38 points (17G, 21A) in 36 playoff games. Since coming to the Pats, Sanford has four points (3G, 1A) in eight games.
“It’s obviously something I looked at when I was traded, to see we had two games against them, I was excited,” said Sanford. “Getting closer to (the game) it’s a bit different. It’s a big game for us and for them in the standings so I think we have to put away all the attention on me playing my former team and focus on the game.”
The Pats played one short last weekend, even with call-up Robbie Holmes in the lineup. Five players were on the shelf, but they start returning tonight. Jared McAmmond gets back in the lineup for tonight’s game and Aaron Macklin’s status has been upgraded to ‘day-to-day’. McAmmond’s return still leaves the Pats a body short for this evening’s matchup. Colby Williams, Connor Hobbs and Adam Berg make up the rest of the Pats injuries.
Sam Steel picked up an assist in a losing cause on Saturday. His helper on Jared Freadrich’s powerplay goal was the 100th point of Steel’s WHL career. It took Steel just 116 games to reach the mark. The 2016 NHL Draft prospect has 46 points (17G, 29A) in 50 games this season. The 17 goals matches his 61 game total from last season.
Tickets for tonight’s game are available at reginapats.com/craven. Purchase throught the Spinzo ticket offer and see the price drop! Puck drop for tonight’s contest is 7 p.m.
