After picking up a split in their season opening home and home set with the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Regina Pats are set to take their first bus trip of the season, as they begin a three game Alberta road trip tonight in Edmonton.
Following tonight’s game, Regina will head down the highway and meet Red Deer, before wrapping up the trip in Calgary on the weekend.
Earlier this week, Pats assistant coach, Brad Herauf joined Michael Ball on the SportsCage to recap the opening weekend against Moose Jaw and to look ahead to the upcoming trip.
Herauf felt the Pats had a solid effort on opening night against Moose Jaw despite walking away with a loss.
“Connor (Bedard) had ten shots on net and we didn’t score a powerplay goal and we score four goals, more times than not you’re going to win that hockey game. ”
In the second game of the year, the Pats came from behind to pick up their first win of the year against the Warriors, Herauf believes that scoring shouldn’t be an issue for his team this season.
“Things kind of got rolling for us after the second half of the game.” “We have enough scoring on this team, we can score goals in bunches just have to defend and keep the puck out of our net.”
One player who enjoyed a strong start to his season is Borya Valis. The 18 year old has picked up a pair of goals through the first two games of the season. The Pats assistant coach believes that Valis contains a lot of potential.
“He’s a guy we could be watching on tv one day if he puts it all together.” Herauf added, “He has all the skills, the thought process, if we can get him playing both sides of the puck, competing consistently he’s a big kid who can skate and have loads of offensive talent. ”
After the opening weekend of the season, Pats Captain Connor Bedard has three goals and an assist after registering a hat trick on Saturday. One thing Herauf wants to see from Bedard this season is consistency, since Bedard will be seeing the best from his opponents on a nightly basis.
“Everyone knows who he is and everyone is giving Connor their best effort so when they’re on the ice they’re bearing down, they’re just trying extra hard, they’re paying extra attention so he’s seen everyone’s best, he can’t take a shift off.”
The trip through Alberta is the first time this season the Pats will hit the road for an extended period of time. Herauf is looking forward the chemistry to continue building for the Pats.
“We feel like we have a really tight group”
Tonight’s game can be heard on 620 CKRM with the pregame show at 6:35, opening faceoff is 7:00.
