PATS KEEP PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE, BEAT P.A.

Regina, Sask. — The Regina Pats moved to within two points of eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings on Saturday night, following a 5-3 win over the Prince Albert Raiders in front of over 5,000 fans at the Brandt Centre.

Blocking shots at key times, including late in the game, was a big contributing factor in the win.

“It’s a complete effort, what we had. We didn’t get as many shots on net [as we wanted], but we played the right [way],” Pats assistant coach Brad Herauf said after the game. “We defended the right way. We didn’t take unnecessary chances. And when things kind of got rocky, we were real mature about the way we handled the momentum. I think it’s just part of what we’ve been growing towards for two months.”

The Pats were outshot 28-17, but they beat Raiders netminder Tikhon Chaika four times: twice off the stick of Connor Bedard, and once each off the stick of Tanner Howe and Borya Valis. Logan Nijhoff scored into the empty net to secure the win. 

Bedard’s two goals get him to 49 on the season, one goal back of league-leader Ben King, and past the 90-point plateau. He remains fifth in Western Hockey League scoring with 92 points (49G-43A) in just 59 games.

Special teams was a big reason for the victory too, with the power play going 2-for-4 and the penalty kill going 4-for-4. Howe’s game-opening goal late in the first period was also scored shorthanded, after he blocked a shot and took it the other way before finishing on the breakaway.

“Obviously [special teams] have been make or break for us a lot here lately,” Herauf said. “I think our penalty kill has really tightened up the last three weeks. We were good at the very start of the season [and then] went through a lull for about two months it seemed…but we liked the way the guys battled back and are getting better.”

The Raiders got a pair of goals from Evan Herman and a shorthanded goal from Cale Sanders.

(ReginaPats.com)