The Regina Pats will look to get into win column for the first time in 2023 on Sunday afternoon when they welcome the Calgary Hitmen.

Captain Connor Bedard will return to the Pats lineup after setting an all-time record for points (23) by a Canadian player at a World Juniors tournament. Bedard and Team Canada captured a gold medal on Thursday in Halifax.

Despite being out the last 11 games with the Pats, Bedard is the leader in points (64) in the WHL.

The return of their captain comes at an opportune time for Regina. Following the Christmas holidays, the Pats have started out with a 1-3 record. On Friday night, the Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Pats 6-0.

Yesterday the Pats made a trade with the Winnipeg ICE. Forward Easton Armstrong was sent to Winnipeg with the Pats receiving defenceman Omen Harmacy.

The playoff race in the Eastern Conference is starting to heat up for Regina. They sit in seventh spot with Swift Current one point behind and Brandon two points behind in ninth spot.

Calgary enters the Brandt Centre with a 21-11-3-1 record and are ten points back of Red Deer for top spot in the Central Division.

On Friday night, the Hitmen picked up a 2-1 overtime win against the Moose Jaw.

Coverage of today’s game begins at 3:35 on 620 CKRM, Dante De Caria will have the play-by-play at 4:00.