The Regina Pats snapped their seven-game losing skid with a 2-1 overtime victory against the Regina Pats.
Tye Spencer tied the game in the third period with the game-tying goal on the power play.
Zackary Shantz scored the game-winning goal for the Pats after burying the rebound off Samuel Barcik’s point shot.
Kelton Pyne made 28 saves to earn the win.
Escalus Burlock had the only goal for Victoria.
Regina picked up their first victory since December 15 in Lethbridge.
Head coach Brad Herauf was pleased to see his team rewarded with two points after their recent dry spell.
“I thought we mature throughout the whole game, things could’ve went south for us, we didn’t play our best game, we sat in the penalty box but found a way to the win.”
With 12 power play opportunities between the two teams during regulation, Herauf believed that the game’s pace slowed due to the extra-man advantages.
“We’re a team that likes to roll four lines, skate people into the ground, we need all 12 forwards to do that.”
Like the previous night against the Blades, the Pats generate a comeback in the final 20 minutes, this time breaking through with the equalizer.
Spencer says the team is trying to turn their third-period comebacks into a consistent sixty-minute effort.
“We know how good this team is, we got to play our game, that’s our standard and how we need to play.”
Herauf says the team’s identity has shown through with their third-period efforts.
“That’s something we built here since day one, since Al has come here and I get to be the coach of this hockey team now, something we’ve instilled in this hockey team, we will never quit, we’ll never stop believing, trying to learn how to win.
Pyne was solid for the second straight night for Regina. Herauf says the White City product has stepped recently.
“I challenged Kelton about a month and a half ago, to get better and to step up and he really has, push it right back into my face again and playing like a starter.”
Regina improved their record to 14-19-4-2 but are still three points back of the Prince Albert Raiders for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Raiders earning a win against he Saskatoon Blades on Saturday night.
Coming up this week will be the trading deadline on Wednesday, January 10, marking the final opportunity for teams in junior hockey to make moves to their roster.
On Friday, the Pats will kick off a busy weekend with three games in three days. On Friday, they will entertain the Vancouver Giants at the Brandt Centre. The following night will see the Raiders visit the Queen City. To wrap up the weekend, the Pats will travel to the City of Bridges and meet the Blades.
