Pats Welcome Blades to Brandt Centre
Regina Pats vs. Saskatoon Blades (7 p.m.) – Brandt Centre
620 CKRM, Access7, WHL Live
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (15-14-2-2) host the Saskatoon Blades (11-17-3-0) at the Brandt Centre (7 p.m.) for the first time this season. Overall it is the third meeting of the season between the clubs. The Pats hold a 1-0-0-1 record against the Blades with their previous matchup resulting in a 2-1 shootout loss in Saskatoon. Adam Brooks had the Pats’ lone goal in that contest. Brooks leads the Pats with four points (3G, 1A) in two games against Saskatoon. Tyler Brown has been stellar against the Blades so far with a 0.48 GAA and 0.986 SV% over two games. The Pats come into the final weekend of the pre-Christmas schedule having lost two straight including Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to Kamloops. Tonight’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM beginning at 6:35 p.m. It will also be broadcast live on Access7 starting shortly before puck drop at 7 p.m.
Fans coming to the game can get their hands on a collector cup courtesy SaskTel. There are limited quantities available so be sure to arrive early.
Home contests against Saskatoon tonight and Moose Jaw tomorrow are a key set of games for the Blue and White as they head into the Christmas Break. Win both and they wrap up the first half a few games over .500, a solid mark for the youthful team. Drop both, and they’ll hit the break below .500 for the first time since November 7.
“They’re really important,” defenceman Chase Harrison told the media ahead of yesterday’s practice. “We talk about how important the home games are for us and the last two before the break are going to be key for us going into the second half.”
Dawson Barteaux has joined the Pats for the final two games leading up to Christmas. The Pats’ first round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft has 11 points (3G, 8A) in 19 games with the Yellowhead Chiefs (MMHL) in his first season of midget hockey. The Pats also announced Wednesday the team has signed defenceman Riley Bruce to a WHL Standard Player Agreement. The 6’2”, 190 lbs. defender has 18 points (5G, 13A) in 18 games with the Winnipeg Thrashers (MMHL) this season.
Second-year forward Sam Steel is set to play his 100th WHL game this evening. In his first 99 games, Steel has 87 points (27G, 60A) to his name. The 17-year old is ranked as an ‘A’ skater on Central Scouting’s most recent ‘Watch List’ for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Steel has two assists in two games against Saskatoon this season.
Tickets for tonight’s game are available at Ticketmaster.ca, the Brandt Centre Box Office or Safeway locations throughout Regina.
