Kastelic and the Hitmen get revenge in Prairie Classic

It was eight years in the making, but the rematch was set. This time in Regina and like last time, the visitors came away with a one-goal win. It was Regina product Carson Focht who was the hero in overtime. Focht was able to bury the puck past a fallen Max Paddock less than a minute in the extra frame to secure the 5-4 victory.

Regina jumped out to an early lead, Austin Pratt was able to jam home a rebound just 29 seconds into the game. It was a bit of foreshadowing as to the amount of goals going to be scored, compared to the NHL game a night before. Calgary responded when Mark Kastelic was sprung on a short-handed breakaway and he scored top corner on a back hand deke.

Dave Struch eluded to the quick start and the factor of it being the outdoor game saying “I think it was really good that it started at two o’clock. To think about it and all the build-up (if) it was an evening game, it would have given us too much time to think about it. So for us to get out here get it started, no delays with anything the start of the game, the puck drop, everything happened really quick. Obviously we got off to a really good start, lots of energy, gave the building some energy.

The Pats opened the scoring in the second period as well. Robbie Holmes took a centering pass from Austin Pratt and promptly deposited it behind Calgary goalie Jack McNaughton. Mark Kastelic, again, tied up the game, he tipped a Jett Woo point shot past Max Paddock. The Hitmen took their first lead of the game on a goal by Jonas Peterek. He, like Mark Kastelic, went top shelf on the backhand over Max Paddock‘s right shoulder. Logan Nijhoff responded for the Pats as he swatted a rebound, from a Nikita Sedov point shot, in.

The third period saw the Pats again get an early goal. Nikita Sedov jumped on a rebound and squeaked it through Jack McNaughton for his first career WHL goal. That was it for regulation. For the second time on the Mosaic Stadium ice, the game went to overtime. Carson Focht sent home 15401 cold patrons on the afternoon, with his game-winner.

The Experience

This game was just more than a regular-season contest, yes two points were still on the line and the players left it all out there. The game had physicality and scoring, but despite the loss, the Pats players and coaching staff had many great things to say.

Max Paddock‘s thoughts “It was pretty surreal coming out here at Mosaic in front of 15,000 people is an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life. It was just like being a kid again. You come to the rink, you’re super excited. You don’t care what the weather’s gonna be like you’re just there to play hockey and enjoy the moment. I had to pinch myself a little bit as you’re playing in such a different environment. But you know, like I said, I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Dave Struch‘s comments “It wasn’t cold it was really good. I mean the heaters were going but we were in it like the players. You’ve seen us on the bench there’s a lot of action for us, so it wasn’t that bad. I think the experience itself for the fans, for me as a kid, I mean my hair is still standing on end right now. So for us, the whole experience snow falling we couldn’t have asked for anything more other than the wind really. We’ve talked about our owners always wanting to give back to the community and, the stuff that they’re willing to do for the city of Regina. This is a great example of it. They’ve done a wonderful job. It’s another feather in the cap for the Pats organization and the ownership.”

Austin Pratt‘s reflection “Yeah that’s really cool, you know taking it in on warm-ups is definitely something special. You watch it every year on TV, many games like this, just hoping you’d ever get the chance to be in one of these. Now that the times come that we gotta be in it, it’s something that I don’t think it’ll hit me until a couple of days after how cool this is. I think it’s I’m still taking it all in, it’s super special.”

Despite the cold, both teams were physical, there were quite a few big hits. Pratt responded to that saying “I think there’s a little bit of bad blood between the two teams rolled over from last year. So I think the rivalry is just going to get going from here. It’s going to be more chippy every game. I think it was a little less chippy than what it could have been indoors for sure.”

Robbie Holmes commented “I think that’s right up there with a mem cup, in the finals, like that, something not many people are going to be a part of. I’ve got to play in some pretty big games. It’s quite the experience I’ve had the last five years and I can’t thank the Regina Pats for everything they’ve done for me. Bringing me back here is huge and I love playing here.

As is customary in these games, the handshake line ensued after the game. Including recently traded Blake Allen from Regina to Calgary just days before the game.

 

Pats Stats

The Pats Max Paddock returned from injury to start in this game. He hadn’t played since Oct 8th. Paddock made 43 saves on 48 shots and was named the game’s first star.

The second star was Calgary’s Mark Kastelic, who’s two-goal game was his third in the last five games.

The overtime winning goal gave Carson Focht a four-game goal streak.

Neither team’s power-play scored a goal. Regina was 0-for-4. Calgary was 0-for-3 but scored one short handed goal.

The Pats are back in action on Friday in Prince Albert, then back at home Sunday versus Red Deer