Pats rally past the Oil Kings

The Memorial Cup hosting Regina Pats (8-6-2-0) took a trip west to Edmonton to face the Oil Kings (5-7-2-0).  Both teams currently sit in a playoff spot in the Eastern conference.

Travis Child and Max Paddock got the nods for their respective teams. Regina struck first around the midway point of the first. Bryan Lockner drove a lane to the net and picked up a well-placed rebound by Emil Oksanen. This coming after a pretty well balanced first few minutes where both teams seemed even on possession. Nicholas Bowman responded late in the frame to tie it up on the power play. It came off a scramble in front of the net as Bowman picked up the loose puck and put it by Paddock. Five seconds later, Matt Bradley regains the lead for the Pats as he was sprung loose on the ensuing face off and put it over the glove of Child. With 0.9 seconds left Tomas Soustal tied it once again with a rebound on a Conner McDonald shot-another power play goal. Shots the end the frame were 19-11 for Edmonton, I thought they dictated the play late in the period and got some good scoring opportunities off despite the tied game.

Going into the second period with a tied game, both teams looking to pick up the pace and stay discipline as half the goals scored were on the power play. At the 13:00 mark of the period it seemed Travis Child was in some discomfort and left the game, ’01 Boston Bilous took the crease. It took the midway point of the period until the Pat’s were able to regain the lead once again. Another power play goal this time from Dawson Davidson over the glove of Bilous. Child returned to the crease just four minutes after leaving, seemed like it was an equipment issue. Shortly after he returned, the Pats scored again on the power play. Brayden Buziak got an open one-time look off a great cross-ice feed from Dawson Davidson. Regina continued to poor it on with another power play goal-this time by Wyatt Sloboshan on a well-placed shot. The feed from Jonathan Smart created the goal. Shots after 40 minutes were 27-22 in favour of the Oil Kings.

The third period opens up with Boston Bilous once again in net for the Oil Kings. David Kope cut the lead to two with his first WHL goal. It was a well created goal as he picked his shot over the glove of Paddock. Unfortunately that was all the Oil Kings could rally as they struggle to score late and loose this one 5-3. End shots were 40-30 in favour of the Oil Kings.

Game Notes:

Oil Kings backup Boston Bilous came in relief of Travis Child’s twice in this game, both times I felt he fared well. This was especially the case when he entered in the third. His ability to transition the puck up ice and really fast break the offense seemed to help get things going the other way and remains a valuable asset Bilous brings. Discipline continues to be an issue. Of the five goals scored by Regina, three were on the power play. The Pat’s d-core impressed me- a diverse group with guys who can contribute in all three zones. Everyone has a role and they excel in their respective roles. David Kope played well and he seems to continue to improve and earn ice time. Both Dawson Davidson and Jonathon Smart posted four points-both are eligible for the NHL draft.

The Oil Kings next home game comes on Thursday November 2nd against the Seattle Thunderbirds.