COORS LIGHT RECAP: PATS WIN AGAIN

Keith Hershmiller Photography

REGINA – Logan Nijhoff scored 30 seconds into overtime to lift the Regina Pats to a 5-4 victory over the Calgary Hitmen on Friday night at the Brandt Centre.

In the first, the Hitmen opened the scoring six minutes in thanks to Mark Kastelic. The Pats drew even when Carter Massier set up Garrett Wright in front, he buried his fifth to make it 1-1. Three minutes later, Duncan Pierce scored his eighth of the season in his first game back from injury and the Pats took the 2-1 lead. Calgary got the game back to even late in the frame on the powerplay and it was 2-2 after the first.

In the second, the Pats took the lead back on the powerplay, Austin Pratt with his 23rd and it was 3-2. Regina got the lead to two goals when Carter Massier scored on a shorthanded breakaway, his fourth, to make it 4-2. Calgary responded with two goals in the final five minutes of the frame and it was 4-4 after two periods.

In the third, the Hitmen outshot the Pats 9-4 but the game needed overtime tied at 4.

30 seconds into the extra period, Logan Nijhoff skated up the left wing and buried his seventh of the year into the top of the net to give the Pats the extra point in a 5-4 final.

The Pats were outshot 41-30. The powerplay was 1/5 while the penalty kill went 2/4 with a shorthanded goal. Carter Massier and Austin Pratt led the offence with a goal and an assist each, while Dean McNabb made 37 saves.

Quick Hits
– Carter Massier has two shorthanded goals in his last four games, and three goals total in that stretch.
– The Pats have won two straight and five of their last eight games.
– Duncan Pierce scored in his return to the lineup after missing eight games with injury.


What’s Next? 
The Pats (18-38-1-2) are right back at it Saturday afternoon in Moose Jaw against the Warriors at 2:30 p.m. on 620 CKRM and Sportsnet. Next home game is Wednesday against the Red Deer Rebels at 7 p.m. at the Brandt Centre. Tickets are available at reginapats.com, the Brandt Centre Box Office and at any Regina Safeway, where Fun Zone tickets are $13 plus tax.