After opening up the season with a pair of wins, the Regina Pats(2-2-1) have dropped their last three games, including Saturday night’s 4-3 OT loss to the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Tonight, the Pats will meet the only team in the Western Hockey League (WHL) who hasn’t suffered a loss in regulation, the Medicine Hat Tigers (3-0-1).
Matteo Michaels had three points for Regina on Saturday, Brayden Barnett collected two assists and Corbin Vaughan scoring in his second straight game. Captain Tanner Howe was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season against Moose Jaw.
Medicine Hat is coming off their first defeat this year, a 3-2 overtime decision at the hands of the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday. One reason the Tigers have jumped out to a fast start has been their near flawless penalty kill, currently sitting at 96%.
The Tigers are led by the Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. The Whitehorse, YT. product has collected seven points (1G-6A) to begin his rookie campaign.
Before tonight’s game, the Pats will honour former General Manager and Head Coach Bob Strumm. He ran the Pats franchise from 1979-1986, winning a WHL championship in 1980. Strumm will be joined with Darren Veitch and Mike Blaisdell as well as other Pats alumni from the 1980’s.
Coverage for tonight’s game begins at 6:35 on 620 CKRM. Dante De Caria will have the opening faceoff at 7:00.
