VIGR RECAP: PATS NOTCH WIN 50

Keith Hershmiller Photography

REGINA – It is now a reasonable debate: Are the 2016-17 Regina Pats the greatest team in franchise history?

The Pats set a franchise record for wins (50) on Wednesday evening with a 6-2 rout of the Swift Current Broncos before 5366 fans in the Brandt Centre. The previous mark of 49 wins was set during the 1980-81 season.

One night after clinching the WHL’s regular season pennant, the Pats came out guns a’blazing against the Broncos, with captain Adam Brooks netting his 40th goal of the season just 54 seconds into the contest.

Dawson Leedahl and Sergey Zborovskiy beat Bronco goalie Taz Burman before the period was out for a 3-0 Pats lead after 20 minutes.

Swift Current’s Lane Pederson got the visitors on the board early in the second, however the Pats responded with goals from Nick Henry and Connor Hobbs for a commanding 5-1 lead going into the third.

In the final frame the clubs traded goals with Regina’s Filip Ahl and Swift Current’s Riley Lindgren lighting the lamp.

Game over: Pats 6 Broncos 2

Regina outshot Swift Current 41-26 while going 1/6 on the powerplay and 2/4 killing penalties.

Jordan Hollett got the win in the Pats goal making 24 saves while the Broncos’ Burman took the loss with 35 stops.

The Pats (50-12-7-1) look for a seventh consecutive victory Friday night when they host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Access 7 and 620 CKRM. The St. Patrick’s Day clash is already soldout.

As for the debate on who’s the best Pats team ever, it will take Regina capturing the 2017 Memorial Cup to get our answer. Until then, that honour has to go to the 1974 Regina Pats.

RP
@rodpedersen