Chiefs, Pats battle in rare meeting in WHL on Access action
Spokane Chiefs (5-2-0-2) at Regina Pats (3-6-0-0)
Wednesday, October 17 – Brandt Centre 7:00 p.m. (Mountain)
Channels: Access7 SD, Access 70 HD, WHL Live
The first of two WHL on Access cross-boarder matchups kick off tonight between the Regina Pats and Spokane Chiefs from the Queen City.
After the Pats have played nine games across the WHL and the Chiefs have played eight, the two teams meet for the first time this season in Regina, Sask. to play the third AccessTV game of the broadcast schedule.
As both teams sit in similar positions in their divisions, Regina fifth place in the East Division and Spokane narrowly in third place in the U.S. Division, it should be an interesting game to watch as the competition will be tight.
Over the weekend, the Pats wrapped up a three-game road trip in the Central Division, losing 4-2 to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, winning 3-2 against the Kootenay ICE and winning 4-3 in overtime against the Calgary Hitmen.
With Nick Henry (Colorado Avalanche), Pats captain Jake Leschyshyn (Vegas Golden Knights) and defenceman Aaron Hyman leading the Pats offensive charge this season with 12 points (2G-10A), nine points (4G-5A) and nine points (3G-6A); respectively, the Chiefs will be sure to keep an eye on those three players when they come rushing down the ice. Nineteen-year-old, 6-foot-2 forward Robbie Holmes has also been on an offensive tear recently, recording five points (4G-1A) in the past six games. He comes in just behind Minnesota-native Austin Pratt who has put up seven points (4G-3A) throughout the season.
Goaltender Max Paddock also recorded his first two wins of the season during the Central Division swing facing 29 of 31 shots against Kootenay and 29 of 32 shots against Calgary. Paddock will look for the win against the Chiefs to continue his hot streak.
With the Pats still searching for their first win at home this season, they will be pushing hard for the win in tonight’s game in front of their home crowd; however, the current position for the Pats does leave plenty of opportunity for the Chiefs to come in as dominating visitors to continue the pattern.
With the Spokane Chiefs on a six-game road trip that spans across the entire East Division, they will need to keep their energy high for the next two weeks, particularly for tonight’s game. Currently, their record for this road trip sits at 2-1-0-0 with a 4-1 win in Swift Current, a tight 4-3 loss in Moose Jaw and a 6-4 win in Brandon last night. If the Chiefs can continue to keep their compete level high tonight, they have a shot at winning against the Pats.
Regina-native Riley Woods continues to lead the team’s campaign with 14 points (8G-6A) in nine games placing him at 16th overall in the WHL scoring race with defenceman Ty Smith (New Jersey Devils) following closely behind with 13 points (1G-12A) and centreman Eli Zummack taking third with 12 points (5G-7A).
In last night’s game against the Wheat Kings, all three top scorers for the Chiefs hit the board. Zummack had two goals earning him first star of the game, Smith earned two assists and Woods notched one goal and one assist. As the Chiefs came back from a 2-0 deficit and then a 4-3 score to overcome the Wheat Kings 6-4 last night, their hustle is certainly noted and will be a key factor in tonight’s game against Regina.
Also of note was rookie forward Jack Finley who scored a pair of goals just hours after being named to Canada’s 66-man roster for the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge by Hockey Canada.
Last year in Spokane, the Chiefs took the win against the Pats 7-3, but in the 2016-17 regular season, the Pats hosted the Chiefs and won 4-2. With both home teams owning a win at home in the past two years, the results in this single-game per season matchup will be interesting to take note of this year.
Tune in to catch all the action at the Brandt Centre live on AccessTV as the Pats defend home territory against the Chiefs.
GAME DAY! The Pats are back tonight at the Brandt Centre against the Spokane Chiefs! -Tonight’s game is presented by @RealCndSS. Be sure to check out their kiosk for a chance to win PC Optimum Points.
Get your tickets here: https://t.co/BPOLG3Azlp#JoinTheRegiment pic.twitter.com/ehBiVBHKOJ
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) October 17, 2018
Regina Pats
Record: 3-6-0-0, 6 points – Fifth in East Division
Head Coach: Dave Strutch
Leading scorers: RW Nick Henry (2-10-12), C Jake Leschyshyn (4-5-9) and D Aaron Hyman (3-6-9)
Leading Goaltender: Max Paddock (7 GP, 2-5-0-0, 4.24 GAA, 0.883 SV%)
Powerplay: 12th – 21.6%
Penalty kill: 22nd – 64.6%
Injuries/Unavailable: D Brady Pouteau (upper body, 2-3 weeks)
ICYMI last night, Chiefs powered to a 6-4 win at @bdnwheatkings thanks to 2G from both Eli Zummack & Jack Finley. Back at it tonight at @WHLPats! #GoChiefsGo
RECAP 📰 | https://t.co/8hyZPDISmG pic.twitter.com/MlOoIbMGpB
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) October 17, 2018
Spokane Chiefs
Record: 5-2-0-2, 12 points – third in U.S. Division
Head Coach: Dan Lambert
Leading scorers: LW Riley Woods (8-6-14), D Ty Smith (1-12-13) and C Eli Zummack (5-7-12)
Leading Goaltender: Bailey Brkin (5GP , 4-0-0-1, 2.36 GAA, 0.923 SV%)
Powerplay: 13th – 22.2%
Penalty kill: 11th – 78.1%
Injuries/Unavailable: D Filip Kral (upper body, week-to-week)
Season Series
Oct. 17 – Spokane at Regina*
* Indicates WHL on Access broadcast
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