Pats Make Final Stop in Alberta
Head-to-Head
The Regina Pats (37-24-3-3) battle the Lethbridge Hurricanes (12-50-2-3) at the Enmax Centre for the final time this season. The Pats are 2-1-0-0 against the Hurricanes this season with the Blue and White taking the previous meeting by an 8-0 count. Morgan Klimchuk leads the Pats with nine points (4G, 5A) in three games against Lethbridge. Reid Duke is the top ‘Cane coming into tonight’s contest with four points (2G, 2A) in the three games of the season series. Coming into their final matchup with the Hurricanes, the Pats came off back-to-back wins with a loss to Edmonton. Lethbridge has lost nine straight including a 7-4 setback at the hands of the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday. This evening’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM starting at 7:35 p.m. CST
Lead Up: Hunt Tallies Twice in 5-2 Loss to Edmonton
The Pats struck for an early powerplay goal from Dryden Hunt, but their only lead of the night lasted just twelve seconds. Brett Pollock and Riley Kieser scored to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead before Hunt evened the game for a 2-2 tie after one. The Oil Kings came back to take the lead again when Edgars Kulda went around the Pats’ defence and beat Daniel Wapple on a nice deke. Kulda struck again in the third and Curtis Lazar added an empty netter for the 5-2 Oil Kings win.
Playoff Picture
The race for the East Division crown continues to be a tight margin with the Pats holding a three point lead over the Swift Current Broncos. The Pats’ lead dwindled this week after the Blue and White fell to the Edmonton Oil Kings while the Broncos picked up a win the night before. The Broncos are also in Alberta tonight facing the Rebels in Red Deer.
Happy to be Back
It only took 4:10 for Dryden Hunt to get back in the goal column after returning to the lineup. The Nelson, B.C. native scored two powerplay goals in the first period of Wednesday’s game. The pair of markers brought his running total to 19 on the season. Boston Leier made his return productive as well, assisting on both of Hunt’s goals.
Stepping Up
With Daniel Wapple out of the lineup this weekend, goaltender Tyler Fuhr has joined the team to back up Dawson MacAuley. Fuhr played in 38 games with the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the SJHL this season where he posted a 13-21-0-0 record to go with a 3.68 GAA and a 0.903 SV%. Fuhr has previous WHL experience, appearing in 15 games with the Vancouver Giants in the 2012-13 season.
Who to Watch on Lethbridge
Brady Ramsay is into his final days in the WHL, reaching the 250 game milestone his last time out against Swift Current. The Calgary product has 13 goals and 23 assists in 67 games and has been serving as the Hurricanes’ interim Captain with Josh Derko out of the lineup since December.
Upcoming Schedule
at Kootenay – Saturday, March 8th, 8:00 p.m. CST – Western Financial Place (CKRM)
vs. Prince Albert – Wednesday, March 12th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
vs. Brandon – Friday, March 14th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Stat Book
Streaks
2 – Kyle Burroughs has points in back-to-back games with 2 points (1G, 1A)
Milestones
Games Played
250 – Dyson Stevenson has played 249 games in his WHL career
200 – Morgan Klimchuk has played 196 games in his WHL career
100 – Griffin Mumby played the 100th game of his WHL career February 28th vs. Swift Current
Statistical
100 – Morgan Klimchuk has tallied 99 assists in his WHL career
