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Eastern Division, Game Recap

Sidorov Hat-trick powers Blades past Pats

Written by Chris Clark on

 

Egor Sidorov‘s first career hat-trick led the Blades past the Pats on Saturday night. The draft-eligible winger opened and closed the scoring for Saskatoon as they beat Regina 6-2.

“We got away from our identity and what’s been working for us in the second period. When we turned it over the puck ended up in the back of the net and that’s what determined the outcome.”

Pats goaltending coach Rob Muntain

Coming into the game Regina won Friday night over Calgary, snapping a six game losing streak. Saskatoon was on a modest two-game win streak, both at home over Lethbridge and Calgary

Starting in net for the Pats was Spencer Welke, he was called up after the injuries to Matthew Kieper and Drew Sim. Welke has appeared in 4 games for the Pats in the previous two seasons, collecting one win. For the Blades, it was 5-year starter Nolan Maier making his 195th appearance.

The first period saw back and forth play, Each team had a shortened power-play chance as Kyren Gronick took a cross-checking penalty, but Ryker Evans took an interference penalty 47 seconds into the power play. The Pats then got a full two minutes on the power-play but could not score.

The Blades opened the scoring at the 15:22 mark, Sidorov picked up his 12th of the season, as he battled behind the net and came out front and got a shot through Welke.

Connor Bedard responded just 15 seconds later, the goal was initially called off, but after review, it was in and out quick, but clearly in for his 29th.

A pretty uneventful second period, until late. Evans with the only penalty which the Pats were able to kill off.

Tristen Robins scored at 16:12 of the second when he kept the puck on the two-on-one and beat Welke low blocker, off the post, and in. It was his 21st goal on the season and first in eight games.

Luke Bateman had the best chance for the Pats as Bedard set him up in the slot, but hit the post late in the period.

Then Neithan Salame took a slashing penalty with 20 seconds remaining in the period, possibly saving a goal, but the Blades capitalized, as Aidan De La Gorgendiere squeaked a shot through Welke with just 0.7 seconds to go.

Kelton Pyne replaced Welke to start the third period.

“I think we’re just trying to get the guys motivated a bit, they had a big night last night in front of Kelto. We’re hoping that they could do the same and we came out flying there in the third period, we got one quick but just couldn’t hold it.”

Rob Muntain on the goalie change

Tanner Howe got the third period off to a quick start when he received a Bedard pass and put a backhander over Maier’s shoulder just 22 seconds in, his 17th of the season and first in eight games.

Saskatoon was able to respond 1:36 later when Sidorov was left wide open in front of the net and he beat Pyne high.

“After the second period we talked about our third periods as of late and they’ve been really good. Tonight was really no different. Out of the three periods, the third was probably one of our better ones. We had to take a few more chances to get ourselves back in the game and we did that. Unfortunately just we couldn’t put as many pucks in the net as we wanted to.”

Rob Muntain

Pyne was pulled with just over 2 minutes remaining, but Kyle Crnkovic was able to hit the empty net to put the game away. Parker Berge took a penalty with 23 seconds to go in the game and Sidorov completed the hat-trick with a shot from the point past a screened Pyne.

Pats Stats

Three stars on the night were; Sidorov, Robins, and Bedard

Bedard stays hot with another goal and assist, giving him 39 points in his last 16 games.

Tanner Howe is 5th in rookie scoring with 39 points.

Shots were 30 a side

Regina was oh-for-two on the powerplay, Saskatoon two-for-five

The Pats’ next scheduled game is Friday night in Prince Albert, the next home game is on the Family Day holiday, a 2 pm start against the Swift Current Broncos.