COORS LIGHT RECAP: PATS WIN A WILD ONE, 5-4 OVER KOOTENAY (SO)

Keith Hershmiller Photography

REGINA – Dean McNabb made 13 saves in a relief appearance and the Regina Pats completed an incredible four goal comeback win, 5-4 in a shootout over the Kootenay ICE Wednesday at the Brandt Centre.

In the first, the ICE got goals from Jakin Smallwood and Jaeger White to lead 2-0 after 20 minutes.

In the second, Kootenay went up 4-0 after both Connor McClennon and Brad Ginnell found the back of the net and that spelled the end of the night for Max Paddock, with Dean McNabb replacing him in goal. The Pats got one back with under five minutes left when Brady Pouteau hammered a slap shot from the top of the right circle for his third and it was 4-1 ICE after two periods.

In the third, the Pats got to within two on a goal from Brett Clayton, his fourth of the year, eight minutes into the period. Two minutes later, Carter Massier banked in his third of the season and Regina was within a goal with half a period to play. Then, shorthanded with just over three minutes left, Logan Nijhoff stole a puck in the offensive zone and tied the game with his sixth of the year, the game was tied 4-4 and needed overtime.

In the extra frame, Dean McNabb was sensational, stopping all four shots he faced, and the game went to a shootout.

In round five, Garrett Wright scored for Regina and Dean McNabb stopped Chase Hartje as the Pats completed an incredible comeback, 5-4 the final.

The Pats were outshot 35-25. The powerplay was 0/3 and the penalty kill went 5/5 with a shorthanded goal. Brady Pouteau and Liam Schioler paced the offence with two points each, while Dean McNabb made 13 saves and four more in the shootout to secure the first star honours.

Quick Hits
– Sergei Alkhimov has an assist in each of his last three games.
– Dean McNabb played for the first time since January 26, stopping all 13 shots he faced in the win.
– The Pats finish their season series with Kootenay with a 2-2-0-0 record.
– The attendance was 4821.
– Prior to the game, Pats therapist Greg Mayer was recognized with the WHL Milestone Award for his 1600+ games service in the WHL with Moose Jaw and Regina.


What’s Next? 
The Pats (17-38-1-2) are back in action on Friday at the Brandt Centre against the Calgary Hitmen at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at reginapats.com, the Brandt Centre Box Office and at any Regina Safeway, where Fun Zone tickets are $13 plus tax.