Edmonton, in the middle of a five game road trip, got off to a slow start in Regina. The Pats were going into their fourth game in five days, but it didn’t show early. Despite being shut out in back-to-back games, the Pats’ first period play looked good. Less than five minutes in, they were the lucky recipient of a fortuitous bounce off a Kyle Walker point shot that found the back of the net past Oil Kings starter Sebastian Cossa. Just over a minute and a half later, Robbie Holmes potted a goal and the home team was up two. Austin Pratt made it three with 12 seconds left in the first period.
The Pats have had many good starts to games this season, despite their now 1-7 record. The second period saw the Oil Kings swap goalies and get their legs back. First star of the game Liam Keeler scored a goal less than five minutes in, and the comeback was started. Jalen Luypen then added his first of the season with just over five minutes remaining in the second period.
The third period saw Edmonton run away with it. Two early goals by Vladimir Alistrov and Ethan McIndoe were scored to take the lead. Then, 16-year-old Dylan Guenther sealed it mid-period for the Oil Kings.
Pats alternate captain Kyle Walker spoke after the game about the inconsistencies in the Pats’ game. “We just need people to continue to stay positive for us and continue to look up and see that there is a bright side to all this.” He continued, saying, “We’re just going to continue to do what we have to do to fix our issues that are causing us these goals in our dips in the second and third periods.”
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Kyle also said, “We knew Edmonton was going to have a strong push. They’re a great team. Today, I don’t think that there was any change in focus in the dressing room between intermissions.”
Pats head coach Dave Struch talked about the tough schedule. “Tonight, I think a lot of it had to do with the fourth game in five nights. First thing that goes when you’re fatigued is your mind. I don’t know that we had that many breakdowns. We did make a couple mistakes, and it cost us.”
Pats Stats
12 Oil Kings collected one point in the game — none had multiple points.
Austin Pratt had a goal and an assist to add to his Pats leading scorer total.
Todd Scott picked up the win with seven saves in 40 minutes of relief of starter Sebastian Cossa.
Max Paddock made 34 saves on 39 shots.
Edmonton was 1-for-5 on the power play.
Regina was unsuccessful on the power play for the fourth consecutive game.
The Pats have now lost seven in a row after winning the season opener.
Pats defenceman Nikita Sedov is now listed as out 1-2 weeks on Tuesday’s weekly report.
Regina entertains Vancouver on Saturday night and Lethbridge on Sunday afternoon.
