Chris Mast

WHL recap: Hart ties shutout record in Silvertips win; Pats and Blazers emerge victorious

Regina 4 Lethbridge 2

Many were puzzled when the Regina Pats (29-23-5-0) traded away the goalie that got them to the WHL final a year ago in Tyler Brown and getting another without that experience in Ryan Kubic in return. Kubic afforded himself well when eh first came to the Pats but has given up four goals in each if his last three games. 

His play gives those questioning the decision to move Brown more fodder.

But as long as Max Paddock keeps playing the way he has recently, it may not even matter. Paddock stopped 33 of 35 and earned a win for his third straight. In all three games, he has given up a combined five goals, despite facing 89 shots in total.

Paddock’s play led Regina to a 4-2 win over the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes (25-23-6-0).

Libor Hajek, Sam Steel, Cale Fleury and Jake Leschyshyn each had two points in the Regina win.

Hajek opened the scoring 4:04 in when his shot from the point eluded Lethbridge goalie Logan Flodell.

Logan Barlage then tied the game on the power play late in the opening frame as Calen Addison gave him some room before dishing to him and the now 17-year-old forward wired his fourth of the year.

The Pats scored twice to give them a lead they would not give up. First Steel drove into the zone and dished a pass back door to Matt Bradley. Then Steel zipped through the zone on the power play and beat Flodell.

In the third, Cale Fleury put the game out of reach with a short handed marker. He got to a loose puck out in front of Flodell, who had come well out of the net to play the puck. He then went around Flodell and put the puck into the gaping net.

Lethbridge got closer when Brad Morrison netted a power play goal with 14 seconds left but it was too little, far too late.

Flodell stopped 30 of 34.

Regina heads to Saskatoon for a key East Division game Sunday. Lethbridge has a divisional game of their own as they head to Cranbrook for a game with Kootenay Monday.

 

Everett 5 Vancouver 0

Carter Hart is on his way to cementing his name in not just Everett Silvertips (35-17-2-2) record books, but the WHL’s as well. He stopped all 23 shots he faced Saturday, shutting out the Vancouver Giants (29-17-5-3) and leading the ‘Tips to a 5-0 win.

The shutout was Hart’s 26th in the WHL, which ties him for the most ever by a WHL goalie with former Vancouver Giant Tyson Sexsmith. Hart got his 26 clean sheets over 178 games and four seasons with the ‘Tips.

He will surely have many opportunities to break the record over the next month.

Another record he tied Saturday was the franchise record for wins belonging to Leland Irving (107).

Everett started the scoring Saturday when Ethan O’Rourke tracked down a bouncing puck and bated it past Vancouver goalie David Tendeck.

Sean Richards then netted his 19th of the year to extended the lead to 2-0 with 5:48 left in the second.

Matt Fonteyne added his 31st early in the third, Ian Walker had his first WHL goal and Bryce Kindopp put home his 16th to make the score 5-0.

Tendeck was yanked from the net after stopping 38 of 42. Trent Miner came in and turned away seven of eight.

 

Kamloops 4 @Prince George 2

The Kamloops Blazers (26-25-1-3) swept their weekend series with the Prince George Cougars (19-29-4-4) by beating them 4-2 thanks to two goals and two assists from Jermaine Loewen and 30 saves on 32 shots by Dylan Ferguson.

Those two continue to pace the Blazers and with Seattle and Tri-City both losing, the Blazers crawl to within six points of a playoff spot.

Loewen opened the scoring 7:17 into the game and the game would stay 1-0 until midway through the second period.

P.G. got goals from Jackson Leppard (his 12th) and Kjell Kjemhus (his second this weekend) to take their first lead.

In the third though, Travis Walton tied things up with his third this year and Orrin Centazzo scored the eventual game winner.

Loewen added an empty-net-goal and Kamloops now leads the season series 5-2.

Isaiah DiLaura turned away 29 of 33 in the Cougars loss.