Pats Wrap Season Series Against Tigers
Game Sponsor: Triple Seven Chrysler
Head-to-Head
The Regina Pats (27-21-3-2) wrap up their season series with the Medicine Hat Tigers (29-19-3-0) tonight. This is the fourth meeting of the season between the Eastern Conference foes with the Pats holding a 1-1-0-1 record against the Tigers in 2013-14. The last time the teams met saw the Tigers take a 4-3 shootout victory in Medicine Hat. Former Tiger Boston Leier leads the Pats with three points (1G, 2A) in the three games of the series. Meanwhile Trevor Cox is the leading Tiger with six points (2G, 4A) in three games. The Pats roll into tonight’s contest on a two game winning streak after taking games from Saskatoon and Moose Jaw on the weekend. Medicine Hat is on a two game slide after dropping a 5-1 decision to Edmonton on Saturday. This evening’s game is broadcast on 620 CKRM starting at 6:35 p.m. CST
Lead Up: Second Period Key in Pats 5-2 Win over Warriors
For the second night in a row, the game’s second frame would prove to be the Pats’ strongest. Tied 1-1 coming in, the Pats left with a 4-1 lead largely due to highlight reel goals six seconds apart from Colby Williams and Chandler Stephenson. Dryden Hunt added an empty netter for the 5-2 win. Daniel Wapple made 32 saves for the win against his old club while former Pat Jack Rodewald scored both Warriors goals.
Former Teammates Facing Off
Tonight’s game sets multiple players against their former teams. Boston Leier plays his third game (1G, 2A) against the Tigers after spending the first 198 games of his career in Medicine Hat. Newcomers Logan McVeigh (76 GP with MH) and Daniel Wapple (24 GP with MH) take on their former team for the first time as Pats. On the other side, Tigers backup goalie Nick Schneider returns to the Brandt Centre for the first time since the trade deadline.
Penalty Kill Rising
The Pats penalty kill has clawed its way out of the WHL’s cellar in the special teams category. In recent games, the Pats have jumped from 22nd in the league to 20th while moving their percentage from the 70% range to an even 73% on the season. The Pats’ PK is 24/27 (88.9%) over its last five games.
Knocking on the Door
Chandler Stephenson has been steadily climbing the league’s points leaderboard the past couple of weeks. He finds himself still officially just outside the Top Ten at number eleven, but is tied in points with the Kootenay Ice duo of Sam Reinhart and Jaedon Descheneau. The Washington Capitals’ prospect had five points last weekend to bring his total to 65 (24G, 41A) on the season, has 20 multi-point games and is tied for the WHL lead in shorthanded goals with six.
Who to Watch on Medicine Hat
Curtis Valk continues to be the key to Medicine Hat’s offensive success. The over-age forward has 57 points (28G, 29A) in 51 games this season. Valk will be playing in his 250th game tonight at the Brandt Centre.
Upcoming Schedule
vs. Saskatoon – Saturday, February 8th, 7:00 p.m. – PPCLI 100th Anniversary Celebration – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
vs. Kootenay – Wednesday, February 12th, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
at Prince Albert – Friday, February 14th, 7:00 p.m. – Art Hauser Centre (CKRM)
Stat Book
Streaks
2 – Chandler Stephenson has back-to-back multi-point games with 5 points (3G, 2A)
2 – Dryden Hunt has points in back-to-back games with 4 points (2G, 2A)
2 – Morgan Klimchuk has back-to-back multi-assist games with 4 assists (4A)
2 – Kyle Burroughs has points in back-to-back games with 3 points (2G, 1A)
2 – Dmitry Sinitsyn has assists in back-to-back games with 2 assists (2)
Milestones
Games Played
250 – Logan McVeigh has played 247 games in his WHL career
250 – Boston Leier has played 246 games in his WHL career
100 – Adam Brooks has played the 100th game of his WHL career February 1st vs. Moose Jaw
100 – Griffin Mumby has played 95 games in his WHL career
Statistical
400 – Dyson Stevenson has accumulated 399 penalty minutes in his WHL career
