Regina 5 @Brandon 2
The Regina Pats (28-22-5-0) need their trade deadline acquisitions to come up big for them down the stretch in order for them to catch the Brandon Wheat Kings (29-19-3-2) in the standings.
That is just what three of them did on Tuesday night in Brandon, powering the Pats to a big 5-2 win over the Wheat Kings.
Jesse Gabrielle and Cam Hebig each had two goals for the Pats while Jared Legien had a goal and an assist.
Brandon’s loss means they have now dropped 10 of their last 11 games and their once double digit lead for third in the East Division is now down to a paltry two points. The Wheaties do have two games in hand.
The former AHLer, Gabrielle notched both of his goals in the first period, with the latter coming on the man advantage. His two markers brought the Pats back from a 1-0 deficit they faced after Marcus Sekundiak opened the scoring for Brandon.
The former Victoria Royal, Legien made the score 3-1 midway through the second, with Sam Steel getting his first of three assists with the set up. Legien has 13 points in 15 games since being brought over from Victoria in late December.
Legien has been a bit of a Brandon-slayer this season as he has seven points in the four games he has played against them.
Then, in the third period, after Luka Burzan closed the gap on the power play, Hebig notched a goal of his own on the man advantage with 4:35 left and an empty-net-goal with 2:08 left to seal the deal. The former Saskatoon Blade has eight goals in 11 games since being acquired.
Max Paddock stopped 22 of 24 for the Pats, while Logan Thompson turned away 46 of 50 for Brandon.
The Pats were two-of-three on the power play, while Brandon was one-of-four. The Pats outshot the Wheat Kings 21-4 in the middle frame.
The Pats now lead the season series 5-3.
The Pats and Wheat Kings are both in action again Friday with the Past hosting Kootenay and the Wheaties welcoming the Saskatoon Blades.
