PATS 5 BLADES 4 (SO)

Regina’s Taylor Cooper scored the lone goal of the shootout as the Pats walked off with a 5-4 victory in Saskatoon in a rare Monday matinee at SaskTel Centre.  It was Regina’s third straight win, upping their record to 33-19-4-3.

Before a season high crowd of 8681 – including over six thousand school-aged kids – the Blades jumped out to a 1-0 first period lead thanks to Sam McKechnie’s even strength marker at 4:17. However the Pats erupted for four goals over the game’s final 40 minutes as Braden Christoffer, Rykr Cole, Taylor Cooper and Luc Smith all found the net.

Saskatoon’s Ryan Graham tied the game at 4-4 at 9:48 of the third period to send it to overtime.  The Blades outshot the visitors 7-4 in the extra session however nothing was solved.

Regina goalie Daniel Wapple was busy in his hometown, making 40 saves plus all shootout attempts to net the win while Saskatoon’s Nik Amundrud made 32 saves in the loss.  In all, Saskatoon outshot Regina 44-37.

Regina was 0/4 on the powerplay and 4/4 killing penalties.  The Blades are now winless in four, falling to 17-39-2-2.

The Pats are next in action Wednesday evening when they welcome the Kootenay Ice at 7:00 on 620 CKRM (Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 6:35 pm).  Friday the Pats are home to the Medicine Hat Tigers on CKRM and Access 7.