WARRIORS POST COMEBACK WIN, BEDARD STREAK ENDS

The Moose Jaw Warriors achieved something that no one else in the WHL has managed thus far in this pandemic-shortened season: hold Connor Bedard off the scoresheet.

The Warriors erased a 3-0 deficit and battled back to post a 4-3 shootout win over the Regina Pats on Monday afternoon in the WHL Eastern Hub. Bedard, did in fact, get a puck behind Moose Jaw goaltender Brett Mirwald in the shootout, but shootout goals do not count toward individual statistics so, alas, the point streak came to an end.

The game was scoreless after the first period and Regina led 2-0 after 40 minutes thanks to goals from Parker Berge and Layton Feist. Veteran Pats defenceman Ryker Evans upped their lead to 3-0 at 5:01 of the third however the Warriors erupted for three goals over the final nine minutes to send the game to OT. Kade Runke and Josh Hoekstra started the comeback and Eric Alarie tied the game with just 17 seconds remaining.

Bedard was the lone Pat to score in the shootout while Brayden Yager and Jagger Firkus tallied for the Warriors.

Bedard, the first exceptional player in WHL history, had accumulated 22 points in his first 12 games heading into Monday’s matchup against the Warriors, leading all players in scoring; although he is sure to be surpassed. His last game in the Regina bubble will be Friday April 9th against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Bedard has to leave the bubble early, and subsequently his fantastic WHL debut season will end prematurely as he will be joining the Canadian Under-18 team. The Canadian squad will begin its quarantine on April 12th for the Under-18 IIHF World Hockey Championships, which are set to start in Texas on April 26th.

Fellow rookie star Brayden Yager, was limited to just a single assist for the Warriors. Yager has 10 points in 13 games in his debut WHL campaign.

Regina outshot Moose Jaw 39-32 while going 0/3 on the powerplay and 6/6 killing penalties. Matthew Kieper took the loss in the Regina goal while Brett Mirwald collected the win for Moose Jaw (6-6-1).

Regina (4-6-2-1) returns to action Tuesday at 8:00 pm against the Swift Current Broncos in the Brandt Centre. The game will be broadcast on AccessNow TV and 620 CKRM.

(Rachael Bishop/RP/Photo: Keith Hershmiller Photography)