COORS LIGHT RECAP: PATS DOWN RAIDERS 5-4 IN OT

Regina – In a wild, back-and-forth game where “no lead was safe”, the Regina Pats prevailed 5-4 in overtime Saturday night over the Prince Albert Raiders in the Brandt Centre.

The victory gave the Pats a little breathing room, as they now lead P.A. by six points for the first wildcard playoff spot in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.

Playing on his 20th birthday, Pats veteran Sam Steel was once again the star of the show. The Anaheim Ducks first-rounder netted two goals and two assists while 20-year old Cameron Hebig iced the game on a feed from Steel with 47 seconds left in OT.

It was clear the two points on the line were critical, as the game was highlighted by a handful of fights and rough play. The first period was a tense battle which was knotted 0-0 at its conclusion.

The Pats erupted for four goals in the second period and carried a 4-1 advantage into what appeared to be the final frame. However Marc Habscheid’s Raiders were a tenacious bunch which refused to throw in the towel and they battled back to force overtime in a 4-4 tie before a sellout crowd of 6484.

In the extra frame, Cameron Hebig forced a turnover in the offensive zone, fed Sam Steel in the slot who sent a return feed left side and Hebig scored his 36th to give the Pats the extra point in a 5-4 final score.

The Pats outshot Prince Albert 40-37, the powerplay was two for four and the penalty kill six for six.

Sam Steel led the offence with four points while Cameron Hebig had a goal and two assists and Ryan Kubic made 33 saves.

The Pats (27-22-5) will be back in action on Wednesday in Brandon at 7 p.m. on 620 CKRM. The next home game is Friday against the Kootenay ICE at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at reginapats.com, the Brandt Centre Box office and at any Regina Safeway where Funzone Tickets are $13 plus tax.


(With files from Phil Andrews/ReginaPats.com)