Friday in Lethbridge, the Pats outshot the Hurricanes 33-21 but could only get one puck past Carl Tetachuk. Their losing streak extended to 10 games with the 2-1 defeat. The game had no flow, and it wasn’t very entertaining as there was a parade to the penalty box. 17 minor penalties were called. Each team was only able to score one power-play goal.
Jett Jones scored his first career goal to open the scoring for Lethbridge. Calen Addison added a power-play goal shortly after. The Hurricanes were up two less than seven minutes into the game. The Pats responded with a goal by Zack Wytinck, his first with the club and second of the season. That was all the scoring as the teams racked up 14 more penalties.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Danton Belluk played his best game to date in the loss, making 19 saves on 21 shots. He was named the second star of the game.
The next night, the Pats traveled to Red Deer for their first meeting of the season. There were goals aplenty on that night. The Pats were down 4-1 at one point in the game but battled back to tie it up. Red Deer was able to take the lead back late on Cameron Hausinger’s second of the game. The Pats were then the recipients of a lucky bounce from an Austin Pratt centering pass that bounced off a Red Deer player’s skate and found its way past net minder Byron Fancy with 15 seconds remaining in the game.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Despite all the scoring in the game, there was none in the overtime that included a Red Deer power play. The shootout started with both teams scoring on their first two attempts. Danton Belluk then made a save on Arshdeep Bains, giving the newest Pat, Zack Wytinck, a chance to win it. He capped his four assist game with the shootout winner as the Pats ended their ten game losing streak.
After the game, Pats assistant coach Brad Herauf liked the teams comeback, saying, “I like the way we regrouped. This group has been resilient all year long, and they haven’t quit on us once.”
Herauf was also complimentary of his older players, saying, “Austin Pratt was huge, Robbie Holmes was huge. Logan Nijhoff being back in the lineup, that penalty kill in overtime there was huge for our team. There’s a lot of unsung heroes, a lot of guys that didn’t get on the game sheet that deserve a big piece of this victory tonight.”
Deals being made
On Monday, John Paddock made a trade. He brought in goalie Donovan Buskey from the Prince Albert Raiders for goalie Matthew Pesenti. The 19-year-old Buskey had been playing in the BCHL for the Trail Smoke Eaters. Buskey has 37 games of WHL experience with Spokane and Prince Albert. He sports a 19-13-0-1 record with a 3.48 GAA and 0.870 save percentage.
According to the WHL’s weekly report on Tuesday, Max Paddock has returned from injury, so the crease is crowded at the moment.
John made another deal on Tuesday. He moved Blake Allen to Calgary for a conditional eight-round pick in 2020. The pick would become a seventh rounder if the conditions are met. Blake had appeared in eight games for the Pats, registering no points.
Prairie Classic
The Pats have the whole week to prepare for their first meeting with the Calgary Hitmen. The game is a rematch from the last outdoor game, which was played in 2011 in Calgary. On that day, the Pats secured the victory on a late goal by Chandler Stephenson.
The Hitmen sport a 6-2-0-1 record. They are led offensively by Carson Focht (7G, 6A, 8GP), ex-Pat Egor Zamula (4G, 9A, 9GP), and Mark Kastelic (6G, 2A, 5GP).
Calgary will be in Moose Jaw on Friday night prior to the game versus the Pats on Sunday afternoon. The Hitmen are on a modest two-game winning streak.
On Tuesday, the Pats revealed the special jerseys they will be wearing in the game, which will be auctioned off online.
A specially designed mask that Max Paddock will be wearing is going to be raffled off at the game.
Upcoming
After the Prairie Classic, the Pats receive the week off before heading to Prince Albert on Nov 1st to take on the Raiders. They were last in Prince Albert on Oct 5th when they lost 6-0.
They then return home to entertain Red Deer on Nov 3rd at the Brandt Centre.
Pats Stats
Danton Belluk picked up his first career win in Red Deer.
With Zack Wytinck’s four assist game in Red Deer, he now is second in team scoring with two goals and eight assists.
On Tuesday, Wytinck was named to the Vaughn CHL team of the week with five points in two games played.
