VIGR RECAP: PATS 5 HITMEN 2 (REGINA UP 1-0)
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| Keith Hershmiller Photography |
REGINA – The Regina Pats weathered an early storm from the tenacious Calgary Hitmen and emerged with a 5-2 victory before a soldout Brandt Centre Friday in Game 1 of their WHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal.
The Hitmen accomplished a goal of keeping it scoreless through the opening period despite being outshot 9-2. They then opened the scoring at 10:50 of the second when Jake Kryski struck on the powerplay.
Pats fans could be forgiven if they were getting nervous, since their club rarely trailed at that point in a home game all season long.
However Regina’s Josh Mahura tied it up on the powerplay at 16:28 and it was 1-1 after 40 minutes.
Pats captain Adam Brooks then led a takeover in third, netting back-to-back even strength goals 2:22 apart early in the frame for a 3-1 lead.
Calgary’s Kryski potted his second of the game at 9:04 to make it a one-goal affair again, however late goals by the Pats’ Bryan Lockner and Austin Wagner (shorthanded) put the game away.
GAME OVER: Pats 5 Hitmen 2
Brooks was named the game’s first star after racking up a 4-point night (2-2-4).
Regina outshot Calgary 32-22 while going 1/2 on the powerplay and 2/3 killing penalties.
Regina will look to go up 2-0 when they host the Hitmen Saturday at 7:00 pm on 620 CKRM and Access/Shaw.
RP
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IG: rodpedersenofficial
SC: Pedersenmedia
