The inevitable happened on Saturday night in Regina. Pats captain Austin Pratt rang a shot off the crossbar, but it didn’t go in. Unfortunately the goal light went on, the smoke and music fired up and the teddy bears came raining down. A few moments later the Brandt Centre PA announcer instructed the fans to stop throwing them.
“I thought it was in right away just because the angle, it went bar down but not the good way. It was more funny than anything you know? I mean, everyone just wanted to throw them (the bears) out there. That’s why most of the young kids come to the game, see the goal, throw them out there.” Said Pratt after the game.
Ty Kolle, and others were trying to help, in throwing bears back over the glass but that was a no-no he stated after the game. “We got a little bit of trouble from the ref for that. I guess we’re not allowed to do that. They just wanted us to help take them off, I was thinking just throw them back over so they can make it happen again.”
After the clean up, it didn’t take long to score the proper teddy bear toss goal, just a mere 13 seconds. Caiden Daley grabbed the loose puck, off a Ty Kolle faceoff win, and got it back to the point were Zack Wytinck, got a quick shot on net in which Austin Pratt tipped it by Byron Fancy and in the net this time.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Austin Pratt would have been a good bet on scoring the first goal of the game. Of his 10 goals going into the game four have opened the scoring for the Pats, make that five now.
“It was awesome. Something I wanted to do since I came in this league is score one of the teddy bear toss goals.” Commented Pratt on getting the goal that actually counted.
That goal tied the game up, Josh Tarzwell opened the scoring for the visiting Rebels just four minutes into the game. Ethan Sakowich made a nice pass from the point back door to Tarzwell who was able to sneak it past Max Paddock short side.
Drew Englot gave the Pats the lead less than a minute in the second. He tipped a Ryker Evans point shot past Byron Fancy.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Pats head coach Dave Struch commented on the first two goals which were both tipped just in front of the net. “We talked about how we’re going to score, we’re not a fancy team, we know that. It’s been really simple. We’re doing the same things as before, the pucks going in (now). The guys are bearing down that much more. We talked about crashing the net, getting in the blue paint. So that when those shots do get there, whether or not they’re straight in and we have to battle for it, there is pressure there.”
The Rebels responded just over a minute later. Brett Davis snuck a shot through the five hole from the high slot.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
The Pats power play has been much better of late. They had scored a power play goal in six straight games, all on the road. That streak came to an end in Winnipeg on Friday, but they didn’t get a power play opportunity. Ty Kolle got the power play back on the board with a marker in the second period. He was able to get a shot by Byron Fancy‘s glove for the eventual game winning goal.
The Rebels carried the bulk of the play in the third period, but the Pats were able to keep them at bay. Red Deer had 14 shots on net in the period. The only time either team had double digit shots on goal in a period.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Despite the third period Pats coach Dave Struch was happy with the game saying, “we were behind early and we stuck with it. We had a good feeling on the bench, good feeling in the dressing room and crafted some things. You’re back a little bit on your heels in the third period, but that’s the game of hockey. There’s a team that’s well coached and they’re gonna work just as hard. They have the same game plan as us, to try and outwork the opponent. Our guys did it, our goaltender played well for us, our power play scored again, so all in all it was a good night for us”
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
The Pats’ Robbie Holmes played in his 200th WHL game on Friday night in Winnipeg, he collected two assists in the game, as the Pats lost 3-2 in overtime.
After the game Saturday he said “It means a lot, quite a few meaningful games as well. It’s been a great experience and I’ve never trade it for anything.”
The Pats are now at home for three more games before the Christmas break. Kamloops is in town on Wednesday night, Kelowna on Friday and Winnipeg on Saturday. This will be the only meetings versus Kamloops and Kelowna on the season.
“We looked at our record on the road (while) on the road, and you could see that it’s disappointing at home. But we hope that this helps us build a little bit of momentum. We’re playing against some good teams coming up here. And we need to build off that for sure.” Stated Pats coach Dave Struch.
Pats Stats
Rebels goalie Byron Fancy stopped 21-of-24 shots.
Pats goalie Max Paddock made 26 saves on 28 shots.
Regina collected seven out a possible eight points versus Red Deer in the season series.
The Pats’ Austin Pratt extended his point streak to five games with a goal on the night. He continues to lead the team in points with 24 points (11G, 13A). Pratt was the first star of the game.
The Rebels’ Josh Tarzwell was named third star of the game after scoring one goal. He now has four goals in his last four games played.
Regina’s Zack Wytinck continues to lead the team in defenceman scoring with 19 points. He collected two assists and was named second star of the game.
Regina’s power play is now 16th in the league at 16.2 percent. After starting 8-for-82 in their first 19 games, they are now 10-for-29 in their last eight games.
