Pats Rebound From Loss, Down Warriors
By Colton Hordichuk – ReginaPats.com
Regina, Saskatchewan – Regina Pats goaltender Nick Schneider got the start in goal against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday evening. The Blue and White looked to bounce back from a 7-6 overtime loss against the Prince Albert Raiders the night before.
Before the opening faceoff, Dryden Hunt and Scott Cooke jousted, which set the stage for what would be a gritty battle.
Bryson Gore scored on the Warriors’ first shot of the game just under three minutes into the opening frame. Hunt responded with his six of the season at 5:53 from Boston Leier and Kyle Burroughs. Following Hunt’s goal, Burroughs sat a pair for interference. The Blue and White handily killed off the Warriors’ first man advantage.
With about four minutes left in the stanza, Pats defenseman Dmitry Sinitsyn misplayed a bouncing puck. Sinitsyn recovered and made an excellent defensive play to prevent a Warriors’ breakaway.
Seventeen seconds into the second period, Pats power forward Braden Christoffer scored his third of the season from Leier. The Blue and White followed up with a beautiful power play goal. From the point, Leier spotted Geordie Maguire at the side of the goal. Maguire fed the puck cross crease to Dyson Stevenson, and Stevenson put the puck in the back of the net to give the Pats a 3-1 lead at 3:10.
Stevenson and Cooke dropped the mitts in what was a spirited, all-out offensive tilt. Both players landed hard rights, and the crowd at the Brandt Centre respectfully applauded the fighters’ efforts.
Leier continued his offensive domination late in the second scoring the Pats’ fourth goal of the game from Christoffer and Burroughs.
The Pats’ penalty kill was a big part of their success in the second frame.
The Warriors started the final period with intensity. Schneider was faced with four shots early on. The rough play continued too. After a mad scrum in the corner, Jesse Forsberg called on Stevenson, and the Pats forward accepted his challenge. It took Stevenson a few seconds to get into position, but once he did he unloaded shots on Forsberg. By this point in the game, it was safe to say that the Pats and Warriors’ rivalry was renewed.
Following the television timeout, Christoffer scored his second of the game from Chandler Stephenson. It appeared that neither team could keep their gloves on in the third. Fights broke out left, right, and centre.
While five-on-three, the Pats kept padding their lead. Leier notched his second of the game from Stephenson and Christoffer at 13:45 of the third.
With the benches depleted, the Blue and White finished the game strong and defeated the Warriors, 6-1.
In two games, Christoffer has two goals and four assists. He credits the coach’s advice for improving his game as of late.
“I’ve been driving the puck to the net, moving it quick, moving my feet lots, and its just resulted in success,” Christoffer said post-game.
For fans, it’s always a treat to watch the Pats take on the Warriors, but for Christoffer, it’s always an intense matchup.
“It’s a pretty big rivalry, so you know it’s always going to be a tough game whether physical or on the scoreboard.”
Three Stars
1. Boston Leier – 2G 3A
2. Braden Christoffer – 2G 2A
3. Chandler Stephenson – 2A
Next Game: at Brandon – Wednesday, December 4th – 7:00 p.m. (CKRM)
Next Home Game: vs. Kamloops – Wednesday, December 11th – 7:00 p.m. (CKRM)
