VIGR RECAP: PATS CLINCH WHL PENNANT

Keith Hershmiller Photography

REGINA – For the first time since 1974 – and for just the second time in franchise history – the Regina Pats have won the WHL overall pennant.

The Queen City Kids clinched the Scotty Munro Trophy as regular season champions by virtue of Tuesday’s 5-4 home victory over the Saskatoon Blades.

Battling to stay in post-season contention, the Blades came out firing and led 3-1 after the first period before a crowd of 4695. Regina’s Nick Henry had his team’s lone goal in the opening frame.

However a three-goal second period put the Pats in control, with tallies from Jeff de Wit, Sam Steel and Josh Mahura, giving Regina a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes.

Pats defenceman Connor Hobbs scored the eventual game-winner – on the powerplay at 15:22 of the third – putting Regina up 5-3.  Saskatoon’s Michael Farren made things interesting by getting Saskatoon to 5-4 with just 1:17 remaining.

However that’s as close as the Blades would get, as the Pats notched their 49th win of the season to tie a franchise record for wins dating back to 1981.

Regina outshot Saskatoon 35-26 while going 2/7 on the powerplay and 6/7 killing penalties.

Tyler Brown collected the win in the Pats goal while the Blades’ Logan Flodell took the loss.

Sam Steel led the Pats with 1-2-3 and was a +2.

Regina (49-12-7-1) has now won four straight and look to set a franchise record for wins Wednesday evening when they welcome the Swift Current Broncos to the Brandt Centre in a 7:00 pm faceoff on 620 CKRM.

RP
@rodpedersen