CALGARY — It was another close game, but the Regina Pat Canadians were once again able to get the job done at the Circle K Classic.
The Pat Cs scored single markers in each period and would go on to a 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Junior Coyotes on Sunday afternoon at the ultra-elite 18U AAA tournament in Calgary.
As a result, Regina finishes with a perfect 3-0 record and in first place in Pool 2, advancing to the A side quarter-final on Monday against an opponent to be determined.
The Pat Canadians once again got off to a good start, as Logan Mehl scored the only goal of the first period, a power play marker with 3:53 to play in the opening frame.
Maddox Schultz then made it 2-0 Regina 5:06 into the second period, but Phoenix — who reached the final of the Classic in 2023-24 — got one back before the period was out, thanks to a goal from Max Edwards 10:58 in.
Jonah Sivertson gave the Pat Cs some insurance 6:24 into the third with his fifth goal of the tournament and Regina’s second power play marker in the contest.
The Coyotes made things interesting down the stretch when Hayden Hastings scored with 3:59 remaining, but they’d get no closer and Regina had their perfect round robin in the books.
Schultz finished with three points, while Eli Johnson picked up a pair of assists.
Taylor Tabashniuk stopped 24 shots to earn the win, Connor Mackenzie had 14 stops for Phoenix.
Both teams went 2-for-4 with the man advantage.
Regina will now play the waiting game for a few hours, as the final set of preliminary round games are played out this evening. While their opponent and game time is yet to be determined, they will have a quarter-final game Monday, with a victory there sending them into the semifinal Tuesday, followed by the gold medal game on Wednesday.
Be sure to keep an eye on www.circlekclassic.ca for schedule updates later Sunday evening.
