WARRIORS 3 PATS 1
MOOSE JAW — The Regina Pats opened the WHL’s 50th Anniversary season with a 3-1 loss to the Moose Jaw Warriors Thursday evening at Mosaic Place.
Zach Sawchenko made 32 saves and Moose Jaw did all its scoring on the power play as the Warriors knocked off their TransCanada rivals before a jubilant crowd of 4208.
Jiri Smejkal, Ryan Bowen and Brett Howden scored for the Warriors (1-0-0).
Lane Zablocki found the back of the net for the Pats (0-1-0), who got a 26-save outing from Daniel Wapple.
Moose Jaw went 3 for 4 on the power play while Regina scored once on seven chances with the man advantage. The Pats outshot the Tribe 33-29 however at one point had a 30-18 edge.
There were a host of WHL dignitaries on hand including, from the league office, Commissioner Ron Robison and V.P. Richard Doerksen. 88-year old Pats legend Del Wilson was flown in from Vancouver Island, while legendary Calgary broadcaster Ken Newans was brought in to co-MC a pregame reception with former Warriors voice Rob Carnie.
The Pats and Warriors conclude the season opening home-and-home series Saturday night at the Brandt Centre with a 7:00 pm faceoff on 620 CKRM.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
Pats, Riders, Rams …. lots of winners in Regina.
Nothing ever changes in that city. That's just the way the locals like it.
Roddy, just wanted to say I listened to the ENTIRE Sportscage show from MJ yesterday. Simply AWESOME! Great guests. Wish it had been a 5 hour show. Got me PUMPED for the Pats season and Saturday's game.
Great job. More junior hockey! You and Kelly sounded fantastic! Wish more people were as excited about Pats (and Warriors) as you guys…
Vern
You forgot Thunder.
We are young, but I was REALLY impressed with Moose Jaw's younger kids too. Their younger 16 and 17 year olds I hate to say it but may be as good as ours. That Russian is HUGE, and skilled.
Looking forward to tomorrow's Rams game and Pats home opener.
By the way – never heard Ryan Smyth give that insightful an interview before. You and Silver Fox should be commended.
TJ
More Memorial cups than MJ, Saskatoon, P.A., Swift Current and Brandon combined !
The Sports Cage yesterday was a gem indeed.
Just wondering whether/when Tiger Tales will be returning on Wednesdays?
Old Hank
Sportscage was good yesterday……..even with Rempel being a part of it.
to "Vern" and "TJ", you aint fooling ANYONE Remps. Nice try, we know its you
Don't know about TJ, but Vern is definitely Remple. Maybe you change the Silver Fox moniker to Vern Roddy!
Be better Kelly!
Remple patting himself on the back. Never!!!
Vern's dad!
Pats Lose…Blades Win….YAB A DA A DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO