The Regina Pats closed 0ut their 2022-23 regular season with a 5-3 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders at the Brandt Centre.
There wasn’t anything on the line on Saturday, as the Pats playoff’s matchup was determined on Friday after they were beaten by the Saskatoon Blades in the Bridge City. The Blades and Pats will square off next week in the first round.
After Regina was unable to take advantage of a 5-on-3 in the first period, Prince Albert opened the scoring with a 5-on-3 power play goal of their own.
Initially, Aiden Oiring’s goal was waived off by the referee. But after a video review, it was determined to be a good goal, and the Raiders opened up the scoring.
Prince Albert increased their lead in the second with a pair of goals from former Pat, Sloan Stanick, as the the Raiders led 3-0 after 40 minutes.
In the third, Stanislav Svozil put Regina on the scoreboard to cut the deficit to 3-1.
But Stanick would complete his hat-trick to give Prince Albert a 4-1 edge. Evan Herman would finish off the Raiders scoring.
Tanner Howe replied for Regina late in the third period with his 36th goal of the season.
Connor Bedard would send the sold-out crowd home happy as he finished off the season with his 71st goal of the season to close out the scoring.
Hold on folks, we’re not quite done yet!#CB98 scores his 71st of the season to get us within 2!#LegendsInTheMaking | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/T4DahbgRcD
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) March 26, 2023
The Pats captain ends the season as the leader in the Western Hockey League in goals (71) assists (72) and points (143).
Regina finishes the season with a 34-30-3-1 record and will earn the 6th seed of the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs.
Saturday’s game also marked the final WHL regular season game for 20-year-olds Luke Bateman, Riley Ginnell and Tanner Brown
For Brown, playing in the WHL over the last five seasons has been truly memorable.
“It’s a lot to soak up, it’s a long time and a lot of fun, those are memories I’ve made for the rest of my life.”
Ginnell knows the Pats will be in tough against the Blades in the opening round of the playoffs.
“They’re a smaller, quicker team, they’re very good in transition.” The Calgary product added they have to provide a solid neutral zone forecheck against Saskatoon.
The Pats will head to Saskatoon to begin the first round of the playoffs on Friday.
620 CKRM will have coverage of the game, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:10 with Dante De Caria from the SaskTel Centre.
