VIGR RECAP: PATS 7 WHEAT KINGS 1

REGINA – Before another sellout of 6484 Friday in the Brandt Centre, the Regina Pats closed out the home portion of their regular season schedule with a 7-1 pasting of the Brandon Wheat Kings. It was a club record 51st victory of the season.

Pats captain Adam Brooks led the way, being named the game’s 1st star with a 2-goal, 2-assist outing. It came on the same night Brooks was named the team’s Most Popular Player for second straight year as voted on by the fans.

Brooks’ first goal of the night was his 41st of the year and it came just 34 seconds into the contest. The Pats rarely let off the accelator from there, as Sam Steel notched his 50th goal of the season at the 8:29 mark for a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

It was the first time a Pat has scored 50 goals in a season since Jordan Eberle in 2010.

Regina pumped four more goals past Brandon netminder Travis Child in the second – from Brayden Buziak, Austin Wagner, Brooks and Filip Ahl. The Wheat Kings’ Daniel Bukac scored their lone goal of the night, on the powerplay, at the 9:05 mark. Regina led 6-1 after two periods.

The lone goal of the third frame was a powerplay tally from Regina’s Wyatt Sloboshan with 3:45 remaining.

Brandon star and top NHL prospect Nolan Patrick left the game briefly in the first period after suffering a knee mishap however he returned to dazzle over the final 40 minutes and set up Bukac’s goal.

Wheat Kings leading scorer Reid Duke saw his night end at the 7:53 mark of the first period. The Vegas Golden Knights prospect was injured on a crease crash.

Pats goalie Tyler Brown was sharp as a tack, collecting the win with a 21-save effort.

Regina outshot Brandon 36-22 while going 2/4 on the powerplay and 3/4 killing penalties.

The Pats (51-12-7-1) will close out the regular season Saturday night in Brandon in a 6:30 faceoff on 620 CKRM.

Then the Pats will get set to face the Calgary Hitmen in a WHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal with Game 1 in the Brandt Centre next Friday, March 24 on 620 CKRM and Access.

RP
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