PATS FALL 5-3 IN BRANDON, MAKE TRADE

Brandi Pollock/CKLQSports

BRANDON – The Regina Pats returned from the Christmas break on Wednesday night in Brandon and fell 5-3 to the Wheat Kings.

The two clubs traded goals in the first, Regina getting a marker from Robbie Holmes, his eighth, and it was 1-1 after one.

In the second, Logan Nijhoff scored his first career goal to give Regina the 2-1 advantage but the Wheat Kings would respond and it was 2-2 after 40 minutes.

In the third, Brandon went ahead 3-2 but Robbie Holmes would score on the powerplay for his second of the night to make it 3-3. 30 seconds later however, Evan Weinger scored on a two on one and Brandon had the lead back at 4-3.

The Wheat Kings added another late to take the game, 5-3 the final score.

The Pats were outshot 35-30, the powerplay was 1/3 and the penalty kill 6/6.

Robbie Holmes and Cale Fleury led the way with two point nights while Max Paddock made 30 saves.


Quick Hits
– Logan Nijhoff scored his first career WHL goal in the defeat.
– Cale Fleury picked up two assists and has 13 points in 16 games with the Pats.


What’s Next?
The Pats (16-18-3) will host a rematch with the Wheat Kings on Thursday night at the Brandt Centre at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at reginapats.com and the Brandt Centre Box office.
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REGINA – The Regina Pats Hockey Club is pleased to announce they have acquired 19-year-old forward Jared Legien from the Victoria Royals. In exchange the Pats send 19-year-old Braydon Buziak and a conditional 7th round pick in 2018 to the Royals.

Legien (6’1, 194), originally a first round pick of the Kootenay ICE in 2013, ninth overall, is enjoying a career year in the WHL. The product of Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan has scored 13 goals and has 20 assists for 33 points in 33 games in Victoria.

“We are happy to add Jared to our group,” said Pats Head Coach and GM John Paddock. “He is having a great year and we look forward to that continuing here in Regina.”

Legien started his career in Kootenay in 2014 before being picked up by the Royals ahead of the 2017-18 season. In 120 games he has 17 goals and 42 points.

Buziak was listed by the Pats ahead of the 2015-16 season. In 87 games with the Pats, the Battleford, Saskatchewan native scored 13 goals and had 22 points to go along with 121 penalty minutes.

“We wish Braydon all the best in Victoria,” said Paddock. “He played an important role on our team the last year and a half and wish him nothing but success going forward.”

(Phil Andrews/ReginaPats.com)