Pats win Memorial Cup bid
It was a good week for a pair of East Division rivals.
Off the ice, the Regina Pats learned Saturday that they won the bid to host the 100th Memorial Cup next year to coincide with the centennial of the franchise.
The Pats were one of three finalists for the event along with Oshawa and Hamilton on the OHL. Regina has previously hosted the Memorial Cup tournament in 1980 and 2001.
The Brandt Centre, which boasts a capacity of 6,200, is expected to undergo some renovations before the tournament begins.
This year’s edition of the Pats (43-9-6-1) continue to try to return to the Memorial Cup a year in advance of hosting.
It was tough week for the Canadian Hockey League’s previously top-ranked team. After losing 5-3 in Brandon and 4-0 in Moose Jaw, the Pats needed overtime to secure a 3-2 win over an increasingly pesky Prince Albert Raiders side. The Pats completed their five-game road trip with a 4-1 win in Saskatoon. The Pats concluded the week by dropping to second in the CHL rankings.
Connor Hobbs was deployed as a top-six forward again, against Moose Jaw and received five-and-a-game for charging on a on Moose Jaw’s Brett Howden. Hobbs served a one-game suspension in Prince Albert.
Warriors knock off Eastern elite
The Moose Jaw Warriors (36-17-7-1) have won four straight games and became the third team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff berth.
The Warriors capped a great week with a 3-1 win in Lethbridge Wednesday.
It was the team’s 1,000th win since they relocated from Winnipeg in 1984 and saw them assure playoff hockey for the second straight season.
In addition to their 4-0 win over the Pats, the Warriors also went into Medicine Hat and beat the Tigers 6-3 with help from a Howden hat trick. The impressive string of results comes with the continued absence of Brayden Burke and Noah Gregor.
Tanner Jeannot and Branden Klatt each has five points in the last three games as other players have filled the offensive void.
Goalie Zach Sawchenko made 37 saves to earn his second shutout of the season to the delight of 4,715 fans Saturday. Sawchenko was also named the WHL goaltender of the week.
Broncos holding firm in third
It was a quiet, but impressive week from the Swift Current Broncos (30-18-4-6). They beat Medicine Hat 3-1 thanks to a tremendous 42-save performance by Jordan Papirny and then earned a point in a 3-2 loss to Everett at home.
The Broncos have a tough schedule ahead of them — they play Regina four more times and Moose Jaw three — but they sit five points ahead of Brandon and have two games in hand.
Brandon struggling to find consistency
The Brandon Wheat Kings (28-23-6-3) have lost five of their previous six games, but at least managed to take two of those games into overtime. After an impressive win over the Pats, the Wheat Kings lost 4-1 in Prince Albert and 4-3 in a shootout to Calgary.
Linden McCorrister returned to the line lineup after a long absence and Kale Clague scored in Calgary after missing the previous three games.
Blades fall out of playoff spot
Injuries are starting to wear down the Saskatoon Blades (23-29-6-2) who have lost five straight games. The Blades only managed a single point this week as they lost 3-2 to Kootenay in overtime. They followed that with a 6-2 loss in Medicine Hat, a 3-2 loss in Calgary and then a home loss to the Pats.
The loss to the Hitmen was a big blow as the Blades now sit two points behind Calgary in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Hitmen also have a game in hand.
The Blades did welcome back Braylon Shmyr after he missed six games.
Raiders continue to win
The Prince Albert Raiders (16-39-4-2) continue to play some good hockey. After losing 3-1 to Everett, they beat the Wheat Kings and took a point off of Regina.
Ian Scott made 33 saves against Brandon and was the game’s first star and then he turned away 41 shots against the Pats.
Austin Crossley got his first WHL goal in the win against Brandon and D-Jay Jerome, Parker Kelly and Cavin Leth also scored as the Raiders continue to show some of the secondary scoring that eluded them for much of the season.
