The Regina Pats scored five unanswered goals to extend their winning streak to five games after they defeated the Winnipeg ICE 5-3 on Friday night.
Connor Bedard led the scoring charge for the Pats as he scored four goals and added an assist. The Pats captain now has 58 goals this season which leads the Western Hockey League.
Tanner Howe scored his 30th goal for Regina, Stanislav Svozil added three assists.
Drew Sim earned the victory between the pipes for the Pats as he made 31 saves.
The opening 20 minutes of the game was dominated by both goalies with Sim and Winnipeg’s Daniel Hauser keeping the game scoreless.
Winnipeg jumped on the scoreboard with three goals in 3:45 span early in the second period. Ex-Pat Easton Armstrong opened the scoring for ICE, followed by goals from Matthew Savoie and Carson Lambos.
43 seconds after Lambos goal, the Pats got their first goal of the game as Bedard took advantage of a nice pass from Tanner Howe and buried his first goal of the night.
Just under five minutes later, Bedard added his second goal as he deflected Svozil’s pass into the back of the net.
With less than two minutes remaining, Howe tied the game for Regina, sending both teams deadlocked at 3-3 into the third period.
In the final frame, shortly after a Pats powerplay expired, Bedard completed the hat-trick, as he scored the game-winning goal.
Sim and the Pats defence were able to shut down the ICE’s offence in the final period to preserve the win for Regina.
To ice the game away, the 17-year old added an empty netter for his fourth goal of the night.
Friday’s win marked the first time the Pats have defeated the ICE since they moved to Winnipeg and Bedard said after the game it was nice to finally beat the ICE.
“They’re number one in the country for a reason, they’re a great team. ”
Bedard added.
“Especially going down 3-0 and not give up.”
The Pats captain gives credit to his teammates, Howe and Zack Stringer for setting him up with the first goal and sparking the Regiment rally.
“It starts with Howie and Strings going to get the puck, going to the dirty work.”
Regina increased their chances of making the playoffs with the victory, they still sit in the 6th spot of the Eastern Conference. Both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat were victorious on Friday night, which means the Pats were unable to make up some ground for the 5th spot as they still trail the Hurricanes by seven points. The Tigers remain two points back of the Pats in the playoff race.
On Saturday, the Pats will face another tough test, they will welcome in the Central Divison leading Red Deer Rebels to the Brandt Centre.
You can catch the game on 620 CKRM, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:35, Dante De Caria will have the play-by-play at 7:00.
