Pats Play Final Game at The Arena

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (30-17-4-2) tangle with the Medicine Hat Tigers (35-15-1-2) tonight at the Medicine Hat Arena (8 p.m. CST).  It’s the cross-division foes’ third meeting of the season with the Pats winning both contests.  Last time out, the Blue and White rolled to a 6-1 win in Medicine Hat.  Taylor Cooper and Sam Steel lead the Pats against the Tigers with four points in five and two games respectively.  Cole Sanford and Trevor Cox each have two points in their two meetings with the Pats.  The Blue and White put a four game win streak on the line tonight after a 4-2 victory against Spokane on Saturday.  The Tigers find themselves on a four game slide after dropping both contests of a home and home with Lethbridge over the weekend.  Tune into tonight’s game on 620 CKRM starting at 7:35 p.m.  The game will also be available to Access subscribers on Channel 70 at 8 p.m.

Lead Up: Pats Out-Battle Spokane for 4-2 Victory
A physical affair went the Pats’ way Saturday when they overcame an early 1-0 deficit to win 4-2.  Riley Whittingham opened the scoring just over one minute into the game for the visitors.  Jesse Gabrielle had the answer as he broke out of a nine game goalless stretch to tie the game.  Gabrielle struck again in the second period to give the Pats the lead before Sam Steel made it 3-1 in the third.  Adam Helewka made it close with a shorthanded goal in the third, but Patrick D’Amico iced the contest with an empty netter.

100^th Game
Jesse Gabrielle busted his way into the goal column for a pair in his 100^th WHL game.  The agitating forward has six points (4G, 2A) in 16 games since joining the Pats and 31 points (17G, 14A) in 49 games overall this season.  In his 100 games, Gabrielle features 57 points (29G, 28A) and 160 PIMs.

Taking Care of Business
Daniel Wapple has started eleven straight games with a record of 5-3-2-1 over that stretch.  The Pats goaltender has allowed just two goals in each of his last four starts.  A former Tiger, Wapple surpassed his career high in minutes played (2,443) Saturday night against Spokane and recently passed his career mark for saves, sitting 4^th in the WHL with 1227.

Saying Goodbye to the Arena
With the Tigers moving to new hunting grounds for the 2015-16 season, the Pats play their final game at the Medicine Hat Arena tonight.  Over their last eleven games in Medicine Hat, the Pats are 3-7-0-1.

Streaks
11 – Daniel Wapple has made eleven straight starts with a record of 5-3-2-1
8 – Taylor Cooper has points in eight straight games with 10 points (5G, 5A)
7 – Adam Brooks has points in seven straight games played with 10 points (4G, 6A)
5 – Sam Steel has points in five straight games with 7 points (3G, 4A)
3 – Pavel Padakin has points in three straight games with 4 points (1G, 3A)
2 – Braden Christoffer has points in two straight games with 3 points (3A)
2 – Patrick D’Amico has points in two straight games with 3 points (1G, 2A)

Milestones
Games Played
100 – Jesse Gabrielle played the 100^th game of his WHL career February 7^th vs. Spokane

Statistical
2,443 – Daniel Wapple surpassed his career high of 2,443 minutes played February 7^th vs. Spokane
1 – Jake Leschyshyn scored his 1^st WHL goal February 6^th vs. Saskatoon
1 – Luc Smith scored his 1^st WHL goal February 3^rd vs. Prince Albert

Upcoming Schedule
vs. Swift Current – Friday, February 13^th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM/Shaw TV)
at Prince Albert – Saturday, February 14^th, 7:00 p.m. – Art Hauser Centre (CKRM)
vs. Brandon – Monday, February 16^th, 2:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)