CALGARY — The Regina Pat Canadians have seen their impressive run at the Circle K Classic come to an end — and as one might expect with how things went for their crew this week, it was by the closest of margins.
The Northern Alberta Xtreme scored the tying goal late in the third period and would go on to a 3-2 overtime win in the quarter-final at the prestigious U18 AAA tournament in Calgary.
It was a solid showing for the Sask Male AAA Hockey League crew, who went unbeaten in the round robin before taking a dramatic come-from-behind win over the Pittsburgh Pens Elite in their first playoff game Monday.
Things didn’t go as well for Regina against their Canadian Sport School Hockey League opponents, as the Xtreme took a 1-0 lead out of the opening 20 minutes while outshooting the Pat Canadians 20-6. Ben Deacon scored the game’s first goal with 4:35 gone in the period.
Regina regained their footing in the second frame, though, and they’d come away with the lead.
Jonah Sivertson scored his team-leading eighth goal of the tournament at the 10:33 mark to tie the game and 2:39 later, Ryan Ulmer gave the Pat Cs their first lead of the contest.
There things would stand until 4:42 remained in the third period, when Deacon scored his second of the game to tie things up.
Maddox Rose then emerged as the hero for Northern Alberta in overtime, scoring the game-winner at the 4:46 mark to send the Xtreme into the semifinal.
Taylor Tabashniuk turned aside 43 shots in taking the loss in goal, while Nathan Stevens had 24 stops for NAX.
The Pat Canadians will now make their way home and return to SMAAAHL action on Wednesday, Jan. 8 when they visit the Estevan Great North Bears.
