In front of a sold out crowd at the Brandt Centre, the Regina Pats defeated the Swift Current Broncos 5-2 on Saturday night.
Alexander Suzdalev had a goal and a pair of assists to lead the Pats in the scoring department.
Connor Bedard had a pair of goals in the win, which pushes his season total up to 39. He also extended his point streak on the season to 32 games.
Tanner Howe scored his 23rd goal of the season and Matteo Michaels notched his first career WHL goal to round the scoring for the regiment. Stanislav Svozil added three assists.
Drew Sim made 23 saves in the victory with several highlight reel saves. He said after the game his confidence was at an all-time high earlier this season during their road trip through B.C. and since then he has been trying to get back to the level.
“It was just constantly everyday working to get back to where it was and how I was playing there and to have it finally come around, I don’t think there’s a better time for it to be coming around than right now. ”
Sim has started the last five games for Regina and is 4-1 over that span. He says during the offseason he prepared himself to be able to handle the heavy workload of a number one goalie.
“Once I got the job, I kind of expected I was going to get the load.”
The goalie added that he’s been happy with the way he has responded playing two games in the same weekend.
“Part of maturing and growing as a hockey player is playing in those back to backs, back to backs with travel and all of that.”
Following a night where the Pats were shorthanded six times, they only had three penalty kills in the rematch against the Broncos. Head coach and general manager, John Paddock was happy with the way his team responded.
The first period of the game was delayed after the net inside of the Swift Current end was dislodged eight times. Paddock said the stoppages were “concerning” but was glad to see his team maintain the lead through the stoppages.
One player who was all smiles on Saturday was Michaels after scoring his first career goal. He was very excited after the result.
“Felt like a dream, it didn’t feel real, I like blacked out.”
Scoring his first goal after 76 games in the Western Hockey League was an unbelievable feeling for the Colleyville, Texas native especially with teammates visually excited after the 17-year old scored.
“They were all waiting for that.” He added “It was just a tsunami of water, just sprayed in my face, it was insane.”
Regina was able to use the powerplay effectively as they scored on one of their three opportunities.
With the victory, the Pats claim the season series against the Broncos with a 3-2-1 record while Swift Current ended up going 2-3 against Regina this season. The win also moves the Pats back into sole possession of the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the Broncos.
During the game on Saturday, the Pats wore SpongeBob SquarePants jerseys, that were auctioned off and the proceeds going towards the Children’s Miracle Network.
Not surprisingly, the Bedard jersey was a popular one.
Connor Bedard’s SpongeBob SquarePants themed jersey from the @WHLPats Nickelodeon Night was auctioned off for $13,025
Proceeds from the auction will go to Children’s Miracle Network, which strives to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, equipment and research. pic.twitter.com/tIMMfgnGCj
— BarDown (@BarDown) January 22, 2023
Next action for the Pats will go a week from Sunday. Regina will welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers to the Brandt Centre. The game will be the final before the regiment hit the road with a road trip through Alberta.
Coverage on 620 CKRM begins at 3:35, Dante De Caria will have the play-by play beginning at 4:00.
