Slow Start Hurts Pats in Loss to Blazers
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats (15-14-2-2) opened a three game home stand against the Kamloops Blazers (15-10-3-1). The Pats put on a third period push, scoring twice, but ultimately lost 4-3 to Kamloops.
Scoring Summary
First Period
Kamloops – Gage Quinney (14) – Unassisted – 3:02
Kamloops – Matt Needham (8) from Pilon and Benjafield – 16:19
Regina – Sam Steel (10) from Macklin and Brooks – 19:52 (PP)
Second Period
Kamloops – Garrett Pilon (9) from Shirley – 12:20 (SH)
Kamloops – Collin Shirley (21) from Reagan and Revel – 14:38
Third Period
Regina – Chase Harrison (4) from Cooper and Brooks – 7:10
Regina – Adam Brooks (16) from Freadrich and Zablocki – 12:40
Shots on Goal
Regina – 10-16-16-(42) Kamloops – 14-12-5-(31)
Powerplay
Regina – 1/3 Kamloops – 0/2
Game Story
Gage Quinney didn’t wait long to get the visiting Kamloops Blazers on the board. He grabbed the puck off the half-wall, walked his way around three Pats and lifted a backhand just under the crossbar at the 3:02 mark. The Blazers posted the first nine shots of the game as the Blue and White got off to a sluggish start. Kamloops added to its lead when Garrett Pilon raced into the Pats zone and put a cross-crease pass right to Matt Needham who tipped the puck in past Brown. Regina did get within one before the period was out. Sam Steel tipped an Aaron Macklin pass through Connor Ingram for a powerplay marker with seven seconds left in the period for a 2-1 game after twenty.
The Pats got off to a much better start in the second period, but couldn’t find a way to net a tying goal. Connor Ingram turned away all 16 shots he faced in the period. Kamloops restored the two goal lead at the 12:20 mark when Collin Shirley found Garrett Pilon lurking behind the Pats powerplay at the offensive blue line. The rookie juked and fired a shorthanded goal over the glove of Tyler Brown. Shirley followed up his assist with an even strength marker just over two minutes later. The Blazers’ leading scorer grabbed a blocked shot and slung the puck around a diving Brown to put the Blazers up by a 4-1 score after two periods.
The Pats kicked things into high gear for the third period. A dominating effort saw the home side outshoot the Blazers 16-5 as they pressed on the comeback trail. It took until 7:10 in for them to break through when Taylor Cooper found Chase Harrison sneaking in off the point for a one timer tucked up in the top corner. With 7:20 left in the game, Adam Brooks cut the lead to one, tipping a Jared Freadrich point shot just inside the post. The press continued until there were zeroes on the clock. Despite a handful of close calls, including a great play by Adam Brooks in tight, the Pats couldn’t manufacture a tying goal and the Blazers held onto the 4-3 win.
Quick Hits
– Adam Brooks had a three point night (1G, 2A).
– Rookie defenceman Jared Freadrich has a three game assist streak.
– Game attendance was 3,267.
What’s Next?
The Pats close out their pre-Christmas home schedule with a pair of divisional games this weekend. First up are the Saskatoon Blades on Friday. Tickets for both games are available at Ticketmaster.ca, the Brandt Centre Box Office and Safeway locations throughout Regina.
