PATS 6 REBELS 2
REGINA — Carter Hansen scored a natural hattrick and teammate Chandler Stephenson netted a pair of goals as the Regina Pats routed the Red Deer Rebels 6-2 on Wednesday evening on Ukrainian Christmas Night in the Brandt Centre.
Hansen’s deft scoring touch came twice in the second period and then again early in the third as the Pats led 2-0 and 5-0 by frame. Stephenson’s two goals both came in the opening 20 as the Pats got an early jump in an important 4-point Eastern Conference clash. Connor Gay had the other Pats tally.
Regina goalie Dawson MacAulay saw his shutout bid broken at 10:28 of the third when he was beaten by Red Deer’s Conner Bleackley. Taz Burman and Patrick Bartosak split time in the Rebels goal in the loss.
Red Deer was without head coach Brent Sutter who was home decompressing after leading Team Canada at the 2014 WJHC in Sweden.
Regina outshot the visitors 36-22 while going 1/8 on the powerplay and 4/4 killing penalties. The announced attendance was 3364.
The Pats (21-17-5) hold down sixth in the East and host first-place Calgary Friday at 7 pm on 620 CKRM (Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 6:35 pm).
Great game boys! Awesome win! Oh Bobby boy where are you now?
It was luck.
Hold the phones Mr. Lang! Looks like we got a Memorial Cup contender. Better book your seats to London, Ontario. We need know upgrades.
Bob Nixon
….agreed it was a timely win. Bartosak was horrible last night but he rarely is. For the last five years the Pats have won their pre-dealine game, and made the playoffs once..food for thought. Leier's line is struggling and he needs someone else on that line. Team still needs another big defenceman and a quality forward…just to make the playoffs.
Sorry Bob….don't see your blockbuster happening.
The game meant little. Last year Sutter took a rag tag team to something like over 20 wins in the second half and they easily made the playoffs. We didn't. That's still a good team that usually finds a way to make the playoffs.
Hello, Rod is Aaccess showing any more patsgAmes this year?