The Regina Pats (1-7-0-0) return to action Saturday night when they host the Vancouver Giants.
The Pats have struggled out of the gate since opening the season with a 3-2 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Since then, they’ve lost seven straight to start the year.
However head coach Dave Struch has taken a positive from their recent struggles. He said the good thing is his players start games playing well.
“It tells us our preparation, focus and attention to detail has been there,” he explained. “Puck management mistakes, bad penalties and our ability to recover from that has been our flaws.”
Regina’s last defeat was on Tuesday night when the Edmonton Oil Kings came to town and won 5-3 after the Pats were up 3-0 after the first period. Struch said it was apparent his club ran out of gas.
“It was a credit to our guys for the way they came out as far as preparations, but our legs were gone, our mental state was fatigued.”
While the Giants’ losing streak isn’t nearly as long as Regina’s, the visitors are entering this game having lost their last two contests – a 4-2 final for the Raiders on Tuesday followed by a 2-1 decision for Saskatoon. Vancouver has lost three of their last four games since starting their East Division road trip on October 4 in Brandon.
The Giants are 4-5-0-0 this season and second in the B.C. Division.
Saturday’s game will see the debut of newly acquired defenceman Zach Wytinck, who was traded to Regina from the Wheat Kings earlier this week.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity I have here in Regina in joining a pretty storied organization with a great reputation.”
Tickets can be purchased at the Brandt Centre box office or at the Regina Pats website. Listen to the game on 620 CKRM with the pre-game show beginning at 6:35 p.m.
Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.
{Files from Moises Canales}
