DUB ROUND-UP: STORYBOOK FINISH FOR PATS, BEDARD

REGINA – Connor Bedard made the final game of his rookie season one he won’t forget.

The 15-year-old forward – and first player to ever be granted exceptional player status to enter the Western Hockey League a year early – scored twice including the winner 49 seconds into overtime as the Regina Pats edged the Brandon Wheat Kings 2-1 on Friday.

Bedard is scheduled to return home to North Vancouver, B.C. on Saturday to be with his family following the death of his grandfather Garth, who died in a motor vehicle accident near Sicamous, B.C., on Tuesday.

He’s then expected to join Canada’s roster that opens the world under-18 hockey championship April 27 against Sweden in Texas.

At the time of his departure, Bedard was leading all WHL skaters in scoring after his final game of the 2020-21 campaign with 12 goals and 28 points in 15 contests. He recorded at least one point in 14-of-15 games, including two four-point efforts.

Roddy Ross made 33 saves while Ryker Evans chipped in two assists for the Pats (6-6-3).

Jake Chiasson found the back of the net for the Wheat Kings (11-3-1), who had their eight-game win streak halted.

Connor Ungar stopped 23-of-25 shots for Brandon.

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HURRICANES 6 REBELS 3

RED DEER, Alta. – Alex Cotton struck twice and added an assist and Dino Kambeitz had a goal and three helpers as Lethbridge (4-6-2) halted its five-game losing streak while also handing the Rebels (2-10-2) their seventh consecutive defeat.

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CHIEFS 3 WINTERHAWKS 1

SPOKANE, Wash. – Cordel Larson was part of all his team’s offence with a goal and two assists and Mason Beaupit kicked out 35-of-36 shots as the Chiefs (2-4-3) improved to 2-0-2 in their last four with a win over Portland (4-4-2), losers of three straight.

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SILVERTIPS 4 THUNDERBIRDS 3

KENT, Wash. – Gage Goncalves scored the winner with 1:36 to go in regulation to salvage two points after his team blew a two-goal, third-period lead, and Dustin Wolf made 30 saves as Everett (9-1-0) edged Seattle (5-5-0) for its fourth win in a row.

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BLAZERS 6 ROYALS 3

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Quinn Schmiemann potted the first of four third-period goals for his team and Orrin Centazzo had a pair of goals to go along with an assist as the Blazers (5-1-0) responded to their first loss of the season by doubling up Victoria (1-5-1).

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WARRIORS 6 BRONCOS 2

REGINA – Ryder Korczak had two goals and an assist, while Daemon Hunt and Riley Krane each chipped in a goal and two helpers, and Moose Jaw (7-7-1) easily dealt Swift Current (3-11-1) its fourth straight defeat.

(Canadian Press/Photo: WHL)

Connor Bedard wasn’t going to be denied Friday afternoon.

In a game Regina’s 15-year old rookie dedicated to his grandfather Garth who tragically lost his life in a car accident Tuesday in BC, Bedard scored both Pats goals in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Brandt Centre Hub.

The Wheat Kings were the hottest East Division team entering the contest, the winners of eight in a row. It was scoreless after the first period before Bedard opened the scoring just 22 seconds into the middle frame, out-waiting Brandon goalie Connor Ungar with a slick move in the Wheat Kings slot. Upon scoring, Bedard pointed to the Brandt Centre rafters and we all knew who he was signalling. 1-0 Pats after 40 minutes.

Brandon’s Jake Chiasson tied the game with a powerplay marker 1:20 into the third and the game stayed tied 1-1 through regulation time.

On the powerplay in overtime, Bedard quarterbacked the man advantage unit. He took a feed from teammate Ryker Evans and from the middle point, the WHL’s leading scorer beat Unger with a snapshot to end the game at the 44 second mark. The Pats bench emptied and mobbed Bedard at centre ice.

Regina was outshot 34-25 while going 1/3 on the powerplay and 3/4 killing penalties. Pats goalie Roddy Ross got the win while Unger took the loss.

Bedard is now leaving the team and heading home to North Vancouver to be with his grieving family.

The Pats (6-6-2-1) return to action Monday at 6:00 pm against the Winnipeg ICE on AccessNow TV and 620 CKRM.

RP
@rodpedersen

(Photo: Keith Hershmiller Photography)