The Regina Pats couldn’t slow down the fast start from the Saskatoon Blades on Sunday. The Pats suffered a 6-2 defeat.

Saskatoon stormed out of the gates with three goals in the first seven minutes.

Sam Oremba and Tanner Howe scored for the Pats.

Kelton Pyne allowed four goals on 14 shots before being replaced by Ewan Huet, who let in two goals on 36 shots.

Egor Sidorov had a hat-trick for the Blades, and Trevor Wong, Rowan Calvert and Easton Armstrong also had goals.

Evan Gardner picked up the win with 24 saves.

The Blades picked up three power play goals.

Pat Assistant Coach Ken Schneider said his squad had a tough start.

“We obviously weren’t looking to get started that way, playing a 5-on-3 right off the start and giving up a couple of goals early. That puts you behind the eight ball and gives them momentum. It just carried on from there. We lacked commitment and effort at times for the first 40 minutes.

Regina will host Saskatoon on Wednesday night. Schneider feels the Pats will need a better start at the Brandt Centre.

“We’ve got a good rivalry here, we need to show up and be ready to play on Wednesday night.”

The Pats will meet the Blades for the fifth time this season on Wednesday. So far, the home team has won each contest.

Coverage on 620 CKRM begins at 6:35. The action starts at 7:00