The second half of the Subway WHL Hub got underway with a match-up between Highway One rivals. The Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors faced off for the third Trans-Canada Clash of the 2020-21 season.
Each team has an overtime comeback win. The Warriors won 5-4 in the first contest and the Pats won the return contest 3-2.
The Pats’ last action saw them fall to a strong ICE team 5-2 two days earlier. The Warriors were fresh off a 4-0 shutout of the Blades, who had yet to lose in regulation.
For the rubber match, the Pats turned to rookie goaltender Matthew Kieper while the Warriors went with Brett Mirwald between the pipes.
The Pats welcomed back Tom Cadieux to the lineup. He had been out of action since March 20th.
What’s a Trans-Canada Clash without a comeback? Well, that is the thing for the 2020-21 season. The Pats took a 3-0 lead early in the third only to have the Warriors score three unanswered goals to tie it. The Warriors completed the comeback when Jagger Firkus scored the winning goal in the shootout.
“Some nights this just happens, and that’s the message to the guys because there are nights that you play like this and you lose. The other team played hard and played good too, so it’s unfortunate that we’re the losers tonight.” Pats head coach Dave Struch explained.
Here’s how things shook out
Not much happened in the first period. The Warriors went 0-for-3 and the Pats went 0-for-1 on their respective powerplays. Both goalies were solid when they were tested. Kieper made 11 saves and Mirwald stopped five Pat shots.
The Pats came out gunning to start the second, they got even on the shot clock within the first three minutes.
The second started much like the first with the Pats taking an early minor. The Pats were able to kill it and the Warriors fell to 0-for-4 on the powerplay.
The Pats broke the ice when Parker Berge connected with his first career goal at 14:43. His shot from the right point deflected off of Denton Mateychuk’s stick past Mirwald to make it 1-0 Pats.
Just over thirty seconds later Layton Feist scored his third goal of the season (second against Moose Jaw). His shot eluded the screen and the Moose Jaw goaltender to give the Pats a 2-0 lead.
The shots through two periods were 24-18 Moose Jaw.
With the Pats on a rush, Ryker Evans scored his second of the season to make it 3-0. Off the odd-man rush, Evans grabbed the puck and tucked a shot past Mirwald.
Kade Runke got the Warriors on the board when he grabbed a rebound and beat the Pats goalie at 12:34. The comeback was on and the Pats lead was just a pair at 3-1.
23 seconds later Josh Hoekstra ripped a shot past Kieper to pull the Warriors to within one. His first career goal made the game 3-2.
Moose Jaw tied it with 16.8 seconds left. With the goalie pulled, Eric Alarie tied it when he grabbed the puck from behind and beat a down-and-out Kieper.
The Warriors outshot the Pats 34-30 in the game.
Overtime was needed again
Each team had opportunities in the extra frame but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Both goalies came up big in the extra frame.
A shootout was necessary and the Warriors completed the comeback as Brayden Yager and Firkus scored for the Warriors. Connor Bedard was the only Pat to score in the shootout.
“A disappointing outcome, yes, but what a great game. Our guys played so good. Their goalie was hot,” said Struch of Moose Jaw’s Mirwald who faced 32 Pat shots.
“We out-chanced them with prime scoring opportunities tonight and their goalie was good. There’s no doubt about it. There’s absolutely nothing for us to hang our heads about.”
“It was a good hockey game. The whole game was good from both sides. As we said the other night, those are the things you play the game for and it’s just unfortunate that we came out on the bottom end.”
Patterings: …The Pats’ next action is Tuesday at 8 p.m. against the Swift Current Broncos. Bedard’s point streak came to an end at 12 games as he was held off of the scoresheet. Both goalies were excellent in the game. Kieper made 36 saves for the Pats and Mirwald made 29 for the Warriors.
