It front of the biggest audience of the season in the Western Hockey League, Connor Bedard did not disappoint, as he scored the shootout winner in the Regina Pats 6-5 victory over the Calgary Hitmen.
The Pats captain ended his night with a goal and an assist to extend his point streak to 35 games.
Braxton Whitehead scored a pair of goals for the Pats in the victory. He was credited the game tying goal with 34 seconds remaining in regulation after a lengthy video review.
Tanner Brown and Alexander Suzdalev also scored for Regina.
Drew Sim made 44 saves to earn the victory.
Heading into the third period, the Pats were trailing 3-1 before they staged their comeback.
Assistant coach Ken Schneider said the team was able to find a way to rebound after a tough first two periods.
“We knew we were only a shot away from making it a one goal game, from there it started being a trickle effect. ”
He added that Whitehead had a strong game for the Pats.
“He was kind of the driving force for us when weren’t getting a lot accomplished.”
Schneider also gave credit to Sim for keeping the Pats in the game before their scoring explosion in the third period.
“Tonight our boat would’ve been sunk long before the third period had Drew not played so well. ”
17,223 people were in attendance at the Saddledome in Calgary to watch Wednesday night’s game. Near sellout crowds are expected this weekend when the Pats visit the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Friday and the Medicine Hat Tigers on Sunday.
With tonight’s win, the Pats moved into sole possession for seventh spot in the Eastern Conference and now trail Calgary by four points for sixth spot.
Coverage of Friday night’s game in Lethbridge begins on 620 CKRM with the pre-game show at 7:35, Dante De Caria will have the play-by-play beginning at 8:00.
