Max Paddock warms up before Sunday’s Prairie Classic at Mosaic Stadium against the Calgary Hitmen. Photo Regina Pats Twitter page.
Over 15,000 took in the second outdoor hockey game in as many days Sunday at Mosaic Stadium, this one between the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen known as the Prairie Classic.
In the end Regina product Carson Focht would score the winner in overtime for the Hitmen (8-2-1-0) handing them the 5-4 win and dropping the Pats to (2-10-1-0) on the season.
Pats goalie Max Paddock said the atmosphere was exciting and obviously very different from what they’re used to.
“I still need a bit of time to process it, throughout the game I had to pinch myself a little bit because you’re playing in such a different environment, but I’ll remember it for the rest of my life,” Paddock said.
Chilly, and totally worth it. What a great time watching the @WHLPats at the #PrairieClassic pic.twitter.com/jorgjoQ6Qq
— DT on Sports Cage (@DTonSC) October 27, 2019
The announced attendance confirmed what many believed, the game was the most attended one in Pats history.
Paddock said they knew as much as the fans it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“It was just like being a kid again I think,” Paddock said after the game. “You come to the rink, you’re super excited, you don’t care what the weather is going to be like, you’re just there to play hockey and enjoy the moment, it was an awesome experience.”
The Pats will be back in action Friday night in Prince Albert.
