The Regina Pats came away with a 7-4 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors last night at the Brandt Centre.
Cole Carrier got the game started with his second goal of the season, giving the Pats a 1-0 lead.
Martin Lang was able to answer for the Warriors on a penalty shot, tying the game 1-1. Carson Sass then scored his first of the year, allowing Moose Jaw to take the lead.
Before the end of the first period, Ryker Evans tied the game for Regina with his seventh of the season.
That started a stretch of five unanswered goals, as Logan Nijhoff scored the lone goal of the second period just as a power play concluded, Cole Carrier scored his second of the game to start the third, Zack Smith potted his 12th of the season, and Carson Denomie scored his team-leading 21st goal of the season. This gave the Pats a 6-2 lead.
The Warriors made this game interesting with two quick goals from Garrett Wright and Tate Popple, making it a 6-4 hockey game. However, Carter Chorney was able to wrap up the scoring at the 15:26 mark of the third period, giving the Pats a 7-4 victory.
Pats Head Coach Dave Struch said he was impressed by the Carrier, Denomie and Chorney line, who combined for seven points on the night.
“I think we were in a good position here (Tuesday) night to play all four lines, everybody gets a good opportunity,” Struch said. “Moving Carrier up in the lineup a little bit there gave him a good opportunity, gave him a little bit more confidence, and you could see that obviously he took advantage of it a whole bunch of different ways.”
It was also goaltender Spencer Welke’s first WHL game and win. He said the nerves he felt going into the game eased going into the third period, where he made 12 saves.
“I had a pretty light load in the first and second period there, I felt like I owed the boys a couple big saves after a pretty solid effort after 40 minutes,” Welke said. “I felt like I owed the boys a couple saves there, and luckily I was able to come up with them.”
The Pats are back in action Friday night when they visit the Saskatoon Blades. The two teams then meet again back at the Brandt Centre Saturday night to complete a home and home.
