With the cold temperatures outside, the Regina Pats will try and turn up the heat in pursuit of a playoff spot.
This weekend, the Pats will have the chance to make up some ground with a three-game in three-day stretch, beginning on Friday night when they welcome in the Vancouver Giants.
In their last action, Regina snapped a seven-game losing streak with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Victoria Royals, marking the team’s first win in 2024. Zackary Shantz scored the overtime winner, snapping a 18-game goalless drought for the 18-year-old.
The Pats trail the Prince Albert Raiders for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race by five points. The Regiment will host the Raiders tomorrow night.
Vancouver will be making a rare trip to the Queen City, the last time the Giants paid a visit to the Brandt Centre was October 12, 2019, when the Pats suffered a 4-2 loss. The last time the two teams met was November 25,2022, when the Pats picked up a 3-0 win.
The Giants enter tonight’s game in possession of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference but hold a slim two-point lead over the Spokane Chiefs. Vancouver is currently in the fourth game of the eastern road trip. They opened with wins in Brandon and Prince Albert before they were handed with a 7-2 loss to the Saskatoon Blades on Wednesday. Former Pat Alexander Suzdalev had a hat-trick in his home debut with the Blades.
A quick start for the Pats could come in handy tonight. The Giants are 0-16-1 when they are trailing after the first period and are 0-18 when they are behind after the second period.
Regina will try and take advantage of the home ice advantage they’ve enjoyed this season. The Pats have a 11-7-2-1 record on home ice during the 2023-24 season.
Coverage for tonight’s game on 620 CKRM begins at 6:35, Dante De Caria will have the opening faceoff at 7:00.