Regular Season Wraps Up in Prince Albert

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (37-23-5-6) close out the regular season against the Prince Albert Raiders (30-37-2-2) at the Art Hauser Centre (7 p.m.) tonight.  In seven previous meetings, the Pats are 4-2-0-1 against the Raiders this season.  Last night saw the Pats fall 5-4 in the shootout as the Raiders erased a two goal deficit.  Pavel Padakin leads Regina with 13 points (5G, 8A) in seven games versus Prince Albert.  Jordan Tkatch is the top Raider, amassing nine points (5G, 4A) over the season series.  The Pats have lost three straight as they head into their final regular season contest while the Raiders got back in the win column with last night’s victory.  Tune into tonight’s game on 620 CKRM starting at 6:35 p.m.

Lead Up: Pats’ Lead Slips Away in 4-2 Loss to Prince Albert
The first period was scoreless until Prince Albert’s Jesse Lees tallied with just over a minute left.  In the second period, Pats scored three goals in less than five minutes.  Regina held a 4-3 third period lead until the Raiders Kris Schmidli scored with under two minutes to tie the contest.  The overtime period solved nothing and it wasn’t until the sixth shooter of overtime that Schmidli scored the game winner.

Hansen Plays His 250th
Pats defenceman Carter Hansen played his 250^th game in the WHL last night in Regina.  The Craven, SK native entered the league as a 16-year old with the Moose Jaw Warriors.  Hansen joined the Pats ahead of the 2013-14 season, playing 128 games with the Pats.  Overall, Hansen has 51 points (25G, 26A) over his 250 games.

Player and Defenceman of the Year
Colby Williams took home two awards during the Pats’ pre-game ceremony last night.  The third year blue-liner was named both Player and Defenceman of the Year.  The Regina, SK product is enjoying a career season and reached the 40 point plateau last night with a three point (1G, 2A) effort in the Pats loss.

Scoring Race
The battle for the Torchey Schell Top Scorer Award is right down to the wire.  Adam Brooks still leads the race with 61 points on the year.  With two assists last night, Taylor Cooper sits one point back after reaching the 60 point plateau for the first time in his career.  Braden Christoffer is two points back at 59 for the season.

Streaks
4 – Patrick D’Amico has points in four straight games with 5 points (2G, 3A)
4 – Braden Christoffer has points in four straight games with 4 points (1G, 3A)

Milestones
Games Played
250 – Carter Hansen played the 250^th game of his WHL career March 20 vs. Prince Albert
200 – Braden Christoffer played the 200^th game of his WHL career March 17 vs. Brandon
100 – Austin Wagner played the 100^th game of his WHL career March 14 at Moose Jaw

Statistical
60 – Taylor Cooper reached the 60 point mark for the first time in his career March 20 vs. Prince Albert
40 – Colby Williams reached the 40 point mark for the first time in his career March 20 vs. Prince Albert

Upcoming Schedule
Playoff Game 1 vs. TBD – Friday, March 27, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)
Playoff Game 2 vs. TBD – Saturday, March 27, 7:00 p.m. – Brandt Centre (CKRM)

Named for the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats are the oldest major junior hockey franchise in the world still operating from its original location.  Since their founding in 1917, the Pats have won three Memorial Cup championships and compete in the WHL’s Eastern Division.  To learn more about the Pats, call 306-337-1535 or visit www.reginapats.com.