PATS 5 BLADES 3

Regina, SK – Colby Williams made his return to the lineup as the Regina Pats (35-27-3-5) hosted the Saskatoon Blades (25-41-4-0) for the final time this season.  The Pats outshot the Blades 49-20 en route to a 5-3 win.

Game Story
Saskatoon goaltender Brock Hamm was the story early on as the Pats dominated in the first period.  The Blades tender made 21 saves in the frame as the Pats controlled the play from start to finish.  The Pats were just as dominant at the other end, only allowing one shot on Tyler Brown.  Despite the one-sided period, the teams went to the break scoreless.

When the game’s first goal came, it wasn’t the team fans at the Brandt Centre expected.  On just their third shot of the game, the Blades struck first when Mason McCarty snapped a shot by Tyler Brown.  A melee ensued with every skater on the ice being sent to the penalty box.  With the follow-up powerplay, Saskatoon got on the board again when Wyatt Sloboshan fired a rebound to the back of the net.  It took until the Pats’ 34th shot to break through when Colby Williams one-timed a pass from Sam Steel straight to the tape of Luc Smith who tapped in Regina’s first goal.  Just under two minutes later, Adam Brooks fought off a check and blistered a sharp angle shot just under the bar to tie the game 2-2.  Just 18 seconds later, off a Pats giveaway, Ryan Graham broke in alone and tucked the puck in to leave Saskatoon ahead 3-2 heading to the third period.

The Pats continued to press into the third period and the third line provided a spark.  Nine minutes into the period, Rykr Cole slipped off the boards and wired a shot by Hamm to even the game 3-3.  On their next shift, Adam Berg’s shot off the wing rebounded to Jake Leschyshyn who chipped the puck over Hamm to put the Pats in front.  Austin Wagner supplied insurance when he knocked Lane Zablocki’s two-on-one setup feed into the goal for the 5-3 advantage.

Quick Hits
– Colby Williams played his first game since January 3, registering an assist.
– Adam Brooks registered the 200th point of his WHL career.
– Game attendance was 4,906.

What’s Next?
The Pats welcome the Swift Current Broncos to the Brandt Centre Friday for their final home game of the regular season.  It’s Fan Appreciation Night with fantastic prizes up for grabs all night.  One lucky fan has the opportunity to shoot for $10,000.  Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.ca, the Brandt Centre Box Office and Regina Safeway locations.

(Courtesy Daniel Fink/Regina Pats)