Austin Pratt sent over 2,000 stuffed toys onto the ice and Ty Kolle scored the game-winning marker as the Regina Pats defeated the Red Deer Rebels 3-2 on teddy bear toss night.
Despite Rebels forward Josh Tarzwell scoring the game’s first goal a few minutes into the first period, it was Regina’s first on Saturday night which proved to be one of the most memorable.
At 14:41, Pratt tipped in his 11th of the season which prompted hockey fans to throw a total of 2,014 plush toys over the Brandt Centre boards and onto the ice. The toys will be donated to children across the city including patients at the Regina General Hospital.
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The game stayed at 1-1 until 39 seconds into the second when Drew Englot found his third on the year by tipping the puck past Rebels netminder Byron Fancy, giving the Pats their first lead of the night.
However Red Deer had a quick response from Brett Davis to tie the game at 2-2.
During a Regina power play 11 minutes later, Ty Kolle snapped a shot from the left circle to get the Pats back on top at 3-2 heading into the third period.
The Rebels led the third period in shots 14-7 in an attempt to equalize once again, but Pats goaltender Max Paddock stayed sharp and held on to give Regina a 3-2 win. Paddock ended the night with 26 saves for his fifth win this season.
Pats goalie coach Rob Muntain said he saw another good effort from the players to earn a W.
“The majority of the time we were really good with controlling the puck, making sure it got in deep and working them,” shared Muntain during his post-game chat on 620 CKRM.
“We got another big power play goal tonight. That has kind of been the theme lately – lots of power play goals.”
Saturday’s win saw the Pats take the season series over the Rebels 3-1.
They also moved up from last place in the league standings with the win. Losses for the Prince George Cougars and Swift Current Broncos helped the Pats hop over them into 20th place out of 22 clubs.
Regina (7-17-3-0) has a few days off before they battle the Kamloops Blazers on Wednesday at the Brandt Centre.
