RECAP: Josh Mahura Plays Hero in Game 2 of the WHL Championship Series

Josh Mahura scored twice including the overtime winner to lead the Pats to a 4-3 win in game two of the WHL Championship Series on Saturday night. Regina took the lead, 50 seconds in when Sam Steel took a loose puck in front and finished on the backhand for his ninth of the post-season. The Pats held that lead into the second but Seattle would score three times in 56 seconds to go ahead 3-1. Regina got one back on the powerplay late in the frame from Josh Mahura and it was 3-2 after 40 minutes. In the third, Filip Ahl tied it up after forcing a turnover and scoring his fifth to make it 3-3 and that eventually forced overtime. The Thunderbirds took a penalty at the five minute mark of OT and off the opening faceoff, Josh Mahura hammered a slap shot from the left point and scored his second of the night to give the Pats the 4-3 win and a 1-1 series tie. Mahura, Filip Ahl, Dawson Leedahl and Sam Steel each had two point nights in the victory. Seattle outshot the Pats 31-26 in the defeat, Tyler Brown made 28 saves for Regina, Carl Stankowski 22 for the Thunderbirds. The Pats powerplay was two for seven and the penalty kill went two for three. The Pats will visit Seattle for game three of the WHL Championship Series, presented by Rogers, Tuesday at 8 p.m. Regina time at the ShoWare Centre.

Scoring Summary
First Period
Regina – Sam Steel (9) unassisted – 0:50.

Second Period
Seattle – Austin Strand (5) from Donovan Neuls – 3:56.
Seattle – Turner Ottenbreit (2) from Matt Barzal – 4:12.
Seattle – Alexander True (9) from Ryan Gropp and Ethan Bear – 4:52 PP.
Regina – Josh Mahura (5) from Dawson Leedahl and Sam Steel – 18:35 PP.

Third Period
Regina – Filip Ahl (5) unassisted – 5:20.

Overtime
Regina – Josh Mahura (6) from Filip Ahl and Dawson Leedahl – 5:22 PP.

Shots on Goal
Regina 5-8-11-2-(26)   Seattle 8-11-10-2-(31)

Powerplays
Regina 2/7      Seattle 1/3

Quick Hits
– The Pats improve to two and four in overtime in the post season.
– The Regina powerplay is three for 10 in the series, two for seven in game two.
– Dawson Leedahl has points in six straight games, three goals and four assists in that stretch.

What’s Next?
The Pats will visit Seattle for game three of the WHL Championship Series, presented by Rogers, Tuesday at 8 p.m. Regina time at the ShoWare Centre.