The Regina Pats hope the trend of the road team’s dominance in their series with the Saskatoon Blades continues tonight when they head to the SaskTel Centre for Game 5 of their series.
Last weekend, Regina left Saskatoon with a 2-0 series lead, as the Pats scored 12 goals in the first two games. The Blades staged a pair comeback overtime wins in the Queen City to even out the series earlier this week.
Pats captain Connor Bedard is not worried about having to earn at least one more victory on the road in this series.
“It’s a rink. ” He added. “You like being home in front of your fans and everything, but in the end it’s a still a game of hockey.”
Extra time has also become common in this series with the last three games requiring overtime. Outside of the Pats Game 1 victory, the majority of the series have seen both teams tied or separated by a one-goal margin.
One change Saskatoon has made in this series is their goaltenders. Ethan Chadwick came in relief for Austin Elliot in the Game 2 overtime loss and Chadwick has responded by helping the Blades even out the series with a pair of victories.
Just like in the regular season, Bedard is on top of the Western Hockey League’s scoring race in the playoffs. Bedard leads the league in playoff goals (8) and points (13). With at least two more games this round, there’s a good chance that the Pats captain will increase those totals.
Stanislav Svozil has also stood out for the Pats at both ends of the ice. Offensively, Svozil has contributed three goals, which is tied for first among WHL defenceman and has seven points in the series, and that is the third most by WHL defencemen in the playoffs. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect is tied first among all WHL players in +/- in the postseason with a +10 rating in five games so far.
No matter the outcome of tonight’s game, there will be a Game 6 at the Brandt Centre on Saturday. If the two teams split the next two games, then there will be a Game 7 on Monday night, back at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.
Coverage for tonight’s Game 5 on 620 CKRM begins with the extended pre-game show at 6:10, Dante De Caria will have the play-by-play beginning at 7:00.
