In what people would say was an important four-point game, Kelton Pyne and the Regina Pats skated away with an important 4-2 win, moving them to within four points of the eighth playoff spot.
Pyne was stellar for the Pats, stopping 37 shots in the win.
The game got off to a quick start with numerous opportunities for both clubs early, until the Broncos took over the play for the latter stages of the frame, but neither team was able to dent the twine.
The Broncos outshot the Pats 15-10 in the opening 20 minutes of play.
After 33:42 we finally have a goal in Swift and it comes at the hands of Cole Nagy!@SCBroncos pic.twitter.com/EQ1RdSJ2XP
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 9, 2022
It took until the 13:42 mark of the second period before someone lit the lamp.
That ended up being Cole Nagy who notched his 13th of the season, giving the Broncos a 1-0 lead on Swift Current’s 26th shot on goal at 13:42 of the second period. On a partial 3-on-2, Nagy ended up with the puck and ripped a quick one-timer off and then by Kelton Pyne.
🚨 NEW FRANCHISE RECORD 🚨
An odd goal has launched Connor Bedard into the record books with his 46th goal of the season, a new Pats franchise record for goals by a 16-year-old.
We are tied 1-1 late in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/CVzGl4O9EU
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) April 9, 2022
The Broncos’ lead was short-lived as the Pats got on the board at 16:34 of the second period. Pats’ history was made when Connor Bedard was credited with his 46th goal of the season breaking Jeff Friesen’s 45 goals that he set as a 16-year-old in 1992-93. The goal was a rather lucky goal as the shot caromed under Isaac Poulter and as he was trying to freeze it, he directed it into his own goal making the game 1-1 heading into the second intermission.
The Broncos outshot the Pats 14-6 in the second and 29-16 after 40 minutes.
🚨 SCORING ON HIS BIRTHDAY 🚨
Borya celebrates his 18th birthday in style, putting the Pats up early in the 3rd!#MarchOn | #REGvsSC pic.twitter.com/xIcEW1zedY
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) April 9, 2022
The Pats took their first lead of the contest 1:46 into the third when birthday-boy Borya Valis found the puck beside the Bronco net and fired it home for his 10th of the season. The original shot was deflected in front of Poulter and the puck found Valis who made no doubt giving the Pats a 2-1 lead.
🚨 LEAD EXTENDED 🚨
Berge's point shot goes off Nijhoff and in!
We lead 3-1 👊#MarchOn | #REGvsSC pic.twitter.com/esMdHn2wNc
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) April 9, 2022
The Pats extended their lead at the 12:23 mark of the third period. Logan Nijhoff won the faceoff back to Parker Berge, who let a shot go from the point that deflected in off of Nijhoff’s leg and past Poulter to give the Pats a 3-1 lead.
With their goalie pulled, the Broncos pulled to within one as Raphael Pelletier notched his 20th of the season with 19.3 seconds to make it a one-goal game at 3-2.
More history for Bedard as he broke the Pats’ all-time 16-year-old scoring record when he picked up his 89th point of the season as he scored an empty netter with 12.2 seconds left in the game making it 4-2. His 89th point broke the Pats record held by Doug Wickenheiser (88 points in 1977-78) and Andy Black (88 points in 1963-64).
The Pats pull off a huge 4-2 win.
The shots were tied 10-10 in the third and the Broncos lead 39-26 after 60 minutes.
Patterings: Carter Herman (Pats) and Sam Ward (Broncos) made their DUB debuts in the game… the three stars were: Pyne (Pats, 37 saves), Nijhoff (Pats, 1G-1A), and Gould (Broncos, 1A)… The Pats’ next action is Saturday night when they host the Prince Albert Raiders at the Brandt Centre where they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive.
