Pats Return to Action in Brandon
Regina Pats at Brandon Wheat Kings (4 p.m.) – Westman Place
620 CKRM, WHL Live
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (15-15-3-2) come out of the Christmas break and reach their official midway point of the season against the Brandon Wheat Kings (21-11-1-2) at Westman Place (4 p.m.) It’s the fourth meeting of the season between the teams with the Pats holding a 1-2-0-0 record against the Wheat Kings. In their previous meeting, Regina captured a 2-1 overtime victory on the strength of Jordan Hollett’s 40 save performance. Austin Wagner scored the overtime winner. Adam Brooks and Sam Stee; leads the Pats with two assists each against Brandon in three games. The Pats head into this evening’s action on a four game slide with a 0-2-1-1 record over that stretch. Today’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM beginning at 3:35 p.m.
Leading into the break, the Pats put together a stronger effort, but weren’t able to turn it into two points. Taking advantage of a depleted Moose Jaw squad, the Pats dominated the early stages of their final game before the Christmas break. The Blue and White outshot the Warriors 15-3 in the opening frame, but only carried a 2-1 lead to the intermission. Colby Williams and Taylor Cooper had the Pats markers. Austin Wagner gave the Pats a 3-1 lead in the second as the Pats put another 16 shots on goal. The final frame saw the Warriors erase the two goal deficit on goals from Tristan Langan and Ryan Bowen. Tanner Faith scored the overtime winner for Moose Jaw in the 4-3 Pats loss.
Russian defenceman Sergey Zborovskiy returns the Pats lineup today after being returned to the club by Team Russia on Christmas Day. The New York Rangers prospect was one of two players returned to their club teams by the national squad ahead of the World Juniors opening in Finland. Zborovskiy has 11 points (4G, 7A) in 28 games this season. Zborovskiy is scheduled to play his 100th WHL game tonight.
With Zborovskiy back, James Hilsendager returning from injury and the addition of Liam Schioler ahead of the Christmas break, the Pats’ blue-line features nine healthy bodies. At the time they exited the lineup, Zborovskiy and Hilsendager represented the Pats’ second pairing. Schioler impressed with two assists and a +3 plus/minus rating in his first two games. Brady Pouteau has seen the most playing time of the other three rookies, playing in 33 of 35 games.
Tune into today’s action with Bennett Dunlop Ford Pats Hockey on 620 CKRM. The pre-game show gets going at 3:35 p.m. with puck drop scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Pats return to home ice Tuesday, December 29 when they host the Saskatoon Blades in a 7 p.m. puck drop. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.ca, the Brandt Centre Box Office and Safeway locations throughout Regina.
