Another comeback came up short versus Swift Current. Unlike Friday night, when Swift Current had the hot start, on Saturday, Regina took the initial lead with two goals from Carson Denomie in the first period.
Pats head coach Dave Struch liked the work ethic on Saturday night. “Well, actually it wasn’t bad. We actually talked about the opportunities we had. I think we (were) upwards, after 40 minutes, of over 60 shot attempts”
In the second period, Swift Current evened up the game with goals from Eric Houk and Garrett Sambrook. In the third period, they took the lead with goals from Kye Buchanan and Ethan Regnier.
Swift Current had 51 shots total in both games, but despite the lack of quality scoring chances, the team capitalized on the ones it did get.
“What little opportunities they had, they scored on, and they were good opportunities,” said Struch. “All year, our focus has been on becoming a better defensive team. Last night, tonight, probably take one or two too many chances where we could have a better read and those are things that happen. We just have to bear down on it and give up less.”
Regnier’s goal was on the power play, which has found some life. Coming into the home-and-home with Regina, the Broncos had only scored nine power-play goals. They scored three Friday night and one Saturday on nine total opportunities.
Regina’s penalty kill has been a bright spot. Despite the goals against in the past two games, it remains in the top 10 at 80.5 percent efficiency.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Later in the third period, it was Regina’s power play that went to work. First, Drew Englot scored. Then, with Max Paddock pulled, Zach Wytinck tied it up to send the game to overtime.
Englot, who had a goal in each game in the home-and-home, said postgame Saturday, “Dominating them for a full 60 (minutes) and then coming here and dominating them again and getting the lead and you think that maybe this game will be a little different. For them to come back was not what we wanted, but I mean, we battled hard and we should be proud of the way we played.”
The best chance in overtime came from the Pats’ Riley Krane. As Krane was stepping out of the penalty box, he was fed a pass and had a clear cut breakaway but was stopped by Klassen.
(Photo – Ed Fonger)
The game went to a shoot out where Regnier was the only successful shooter.
Despite scoring four goals Saturday and five on Friday on 89 shots, Struch lamented the missed opportunities. ” I think tonight, more so than last night, we passed up offensive opportunities, shots, quality chances that we have had because we have lots of them. Lots of breakaways, open nets, wraparounds that we missed on. When you are in a position like us, we need lots of opportunities to get one. We’re getting those; we just have to bear down that much more.”
Pats Stats
The Broncos’ Reece Klassen made 36 saves on 40 shots plus all three shootout attempts to pick up his first win of the season.
The Pats’ Max Paddock stopped 22 of 26 in the loss.
Regina’s Robbie Holmes had a career-high three-assist night.
Swift Current’s Tyler Smithies had two assists. He now has nine points in his last six games, after starting with six points in the first 23 games.
Zack Wytinck added a goal and two assists. He is now tied for 6th in defencemen scoring with 30 points.
Ethan Regnier scored once on Saturday but had one goal and three assists on Friday
Carson Denomie has two goals and two assists in the past two games.
Regina hosts Brandon on Sunday to finish up a 3-in-3 weekend. The team entertains Prince George on Wednesday before heading on its US road trip which starts Saturday the 11th in Kennewick versus the Americans.
