This week in Regina Pats’ history: week 2

 

This series started with one of the most critical dates in Regina Pats’ history their first-ever game.

In continuing with the “This week in Regina Pats’ history” we cover December 28 to January 3.

December 28

1951: Pats’ captain Ed Litzenberger had himself a night as he scored a hat-trick and added three assists. His Pats had beaten the Edmonton Oil Kings 10-1 before 2,073 fans at the Exhibition Stadium. With the win, the Western Junior Hockey League-leading Pats stretched their home-ice unbeaten streak to eleven games. Willie Papp scored twice for the Pats in the win. Ted Yarnton, Gordon Cowan, Doug Killoh. Harvey Schmidt and Bev Bell scored singles. The Pats scored the first nine goals of the game, their first six were scored in the second period. They scored the first three of the third period before the Oil Kings responded. Pats goalie Bob Tyler’s shutout bid was ended just under seven minutes into the third period. Jack MacDonald scored Edmonton’s lone goal.

December 29

1954: The Pats won their 15th straight contest in a 14-6 win over the Moose Jaw Canucks. Pats’ Bev Bell scored five goals and added a pair of assists in the game. Bell’s linemates Glenn MacDonald (two goals, assist) and Harvey Flaman (goal, two assists) each had three points. Bill Kurtz scored twice while Harold Ottenbreit, Bill Hay, Arliss Wright, and Wayne Klinck scored singles in the win. The Pats outshot the Canucks 54-32. Joe Selinger made 28 saves for the Pats. Fifteen-year-old goalie Don Wilkie, making his second start of the season for the Canucks, made 40 saves. Ken Hehr, Barry Ross, Merv Kuryluk, Art Miller, Warren Hicks, and Wayne Hicks replied for Moose Jaw.

December 30

Brett Lysak Pats Poster
1999-2000

1997: Brett Lysak celebrated his 17th birthday with five points in a 10-1 win over the Edmonton Ice. With Josh Holden away at the World Juniors, Lysak played more of a key role. He scored a hat-trick and added two assists with the expanded role. Ronald Petrovicky had five points on two goals and three assists. His two goals gave him 30 on the season. Kyle Calder also chipped in with a five-point night with a goal and four helpers. David Maruca also had himself a game picking up a pair of goals to go with two assists. Brad Stuart and Travis Churchman – with his first career goal – were Regina’s other goal scorers. Ryan Hoople made 24 saves in net for the Pats. Kris Knoblauch replied for the Ice.

“He’s a skilled player and he’s got to take care of business.” – Parry Shockey on Brett Lysak

December 31

1989: Ray Whitney started the scoring for the visiting Spokane Chiefs.  Dennis Saharchuk and Chris Rowland gave the Chiefs a 3-0 lead after the first period. The Pats rattled off six, second-period goals to take a 6-3 lead. Mike Sillinger started things off just 53 seconds into the second frame to get the Pats on the board. Cory Paterson, Frank Kovacs, Scott Daniels with two, and Mike Kirby scored the other second period goals.

“I don’t think anybody can score a nicer goal than that” Daniels said. “That was what we needed. That sparked the team.” – Scott Daniels on Mike Sillinger’s second-period goal

Paterson scored his second of the game to open the third period scoring for the Pats. Garry Pearce scored Regina’s eighth straight goal to give the Pats an 8-3 lead. Calvin Thudium scored the Chiefs’ fourth goal, but it was not enough. The Pats won the New Year’s Eve contest 8-4. It was the Pats’ fifth straight victory and moved them into fourth in the East Division.

January 1

Craig Endean Pats Card
1987-88

1988: The Pats scored six first period goals to take a 6-2 lead into the first intermission. The six goals came from six different players. Darin Kimble gave the Raiders a 1-0 lead on the powerplay just over three minutes into the game. Pats defenseman Trent Kachur tied the game at 1-1 less than 30 seconds later. Craig Endean gave the Pats a 2-1 lead scoring his 200th career WHL goal. Mark Janssens, Mike Van Slooten, Gary Dickie, and Kevin Clemens scored the next five goals. Len Mark scored to get the Raiders back to within four going into the intermission.

 

“Neither team was very sharp. It was pretty scrambly hockey and there wasn’t much pace. But it was a good win for us. They’re a tough team and we had to work hard for it.” – Craig Endean

The second period was all Prince Albert as they scored four goals to tie the contest at six. Kimble with his second, Wayde Bucsis, Mark also with his second, and Rich Pilon scored the second-period goals. Darren Kwiatkowski gave the Pats the lead with a goal just under two minutes into the third. Darrin McKechnie scored to give the Pats an 8-6 lead just before the halfway mark of the frame. That McKechnie goal wound up being the winner because Len Mark completed his hat-trick to pull the Raiders to within one. The Pats held on and won the New Year’s Day contest 8-7.

January 2

1983: Taylor Hall and Doug Trapp scored the first two goals for the Pats. Kelly Glowa replied for the Brandon Wheat Kings to make the score 2-1 after the first period. Seven goals were scored in the second period with the Pats scoring four of them. Kurt Wickenheiser, R.J. Dundas, Nevin Markwart, and Tony Vogel dented the twine for the Pats. Darren Schmidt and Glowa, with his second and third of the game, replied for the Wheat Kings. The Pats led 6-4 after the second period. Early in the third, Schmidt scored his second of the game to pull the Wheat Kings to within one at 6-5. Markwart and Wickenheiser added their second goals of the game to seal the deal as the Pats won 8-5.

“You don’t want that to happen (giving up the big lead). But you have to look at it in a positive way. We came back to salt the game away.” – Pats head coach Don Boyd

January 3

Mike Sillinger Pats Card
1988-89

1989: Every Pat dressed picked up at least one point in a 14-2 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Mike Sillinger scored four goals and added two assists to be the driving force for the Pats. Jamie Heward, Frank Kovacs, and Brad McGinnis each scored a pair of goals in the route. Jeff Sebastian, Jim Mathieson, Cory Paterson, and Scott Daniels rounded out the scoring for the Pats. Jim Wheatcroft and Jason Ruff replied for the Hurricanes. The Pats led 6-2 after the first and 10-2 after the second. They scored four times in the third for the 14-2 score.

Notable trades

On December 31, 2002, the Pats traded Grant Jacobsen and prospect Max Gordichuk to the Kamloops Blazers. In return, the Pats received forward Jonathan Bubnick and defenseman Kyle Deck.

On January 1, 2008. the Pats traded forwards Cody Gross and Brett Miller to the Red Deer Rebels. In return, the Pats received forwards J.D. Watt and Scott Doucet.

On January 2, 2015, the Pats traded Morgan Klimchuk to the Brandon Wheat Kings. In return, the Pats received Jesse Gabrielle.

Next week

As we approach the time for the normal WHL trade deadline, the next “This week” will have a trade-based focus. Stay tuned.