A tall order is awaiting the Regina Pats this weekend as they meet the top three teams in the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference at the Brandt Centre on three consecutive days. On Friday they will welcome the top team in the league, the Winnipeg ICE. Saturday will see the Red Deer Rebels will pay a visit to the Queen City before the Pats wrap up their weekend on Sunday when they meet the Saskatoon Blades.
Pats Head Coach and General Manager John Paddock joined Michael Ball on the SportsCage on Monday.
Looking back at the Pats two-game sweep of Brandon, Paddock said the biggest reason they picked up a victory on the road was because of their goalie Drew Sim. The 20-year-old made 44 saves for the Pats as the Wheat Kings dominated the shot clock on Friday 47-19 despite the Pats picking up a 4-3 win.
On Saturday, the White City product Kelton Pyne backstopped the Pats to victory. Paddock said Pyne responded in the final 40 minutes after making a key save on Roger McQueen late in the first period.
“I thought there was too many loose pucks coming off him early in the game there, but he made that save on McQueen and clearly did not allow another goal and he really settled down and settled the team down.”
On Saturday, Alexander Suzdalev played a huge role in Regina’s win. The rookie scored a hat trick and pushed his goal total up to 34 on the season, which leads all first-year players in the Western Hockey League. The Pats head coach thinks the sky is the limit on Suzdalev’s potential.
“He’s got NHL skill, as he keeps learning the game and figuring it out in the smaller rink, he should be a good NHLer someday.”
The Western Hockey League playoffs will begin at the end of March, but the Pats have been playing in front of playoff-like crowds since the return of Connor Bedard from the World Juniors in mid-January. Paddock says the team is trying to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
“It’s a special circumstance and we’re all s0rt of reveling in these kind of moments, it’s never really happen before like this and probably won’t happen again.”
In March, the Pats will play seven out of their final 12 home games at the Brandt Centre, beginning with this weekend’s three-game set.
The WHL has announced the discipline following the fallout of Friday’s win against Brandon. Pats defenceman Jaxsin Vaughan has been suspended by the league for three games for a match penalty. The Pats have also been fined $1000. Brandon’s Matthew Henry has been suspended for five games for leaving the bench during that contest. The Wheat Kings have also been fined $1000.
