The Regina Pats kept their season alive on Saturday night with a 5-3 win over the Saskatoon Blades.
With the two teams tied 3-3, they will head to the Bridge City on Monday and square off in a deciding Game 7 at the SaskTel Centre.
Connor Bedard had a goal and three assists increasing his playoff point total to 19 (11G-8A). Alexander Suzdalev had a pair of goals and Stanislav Svozil contributed with three assists.
Drew Sim backstopped the Pats to a win with 27 saves.
In a series that has seen everything, a new wrinkle was added in Game 6. With the Pats leading 4-3 in the third period, Riley Ginnell’s pass was deflected by Zackary Shantz and into the Blades net, giving the indication the Pats had secured a two-goal lead. This was followed by a video review, where it was determined that it was a no-goal because it was deemed there was a distinct kicking motion. Shortly a second review took place due to the introduction of another video angle, the review was then ruled inconclusive, so the original call on the ice stood, which was a goal.
Both teams had goals in the first period. Jayden Wiens gave the Blades the lead before Suzdalev tied the game for the Pats.
Regina gained control in the second period with Suzdalev collecting the only power play goal of the game.
The Pats extended their lead to a pair when Bedard found Tanner Howe with a cross-ice pass, who took full advantage of the play for his second goal of the postseason.
Like they have done throughout the series, Saskatoon battled back. Trevor Wong cut the deficit to one before the end of the second period with his first goal of the series.
Wong didn’t waste any time grabbing his second goal of the series as he tied the game 1:04 into the third period. But less than a minute later, Bedard received a pass from Svozil and capitalized on a partial breakaway.
You’ve heard it before & you’ll hear it again: Bedard is a BIG TIME GAMER!!!
He rifles it home short side to give us a 4-3 lead early in the 3rd! Give him 4 points on the night #StandWithUs | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture | #CB98 pic.twitter.com/SF7rw4UXtX
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) April 9, 2023
Sim shut the door on the Blades in the final period with 14 saves in the final 20 minutes to preserve the victory.
After the game, Pats Head Coach John Paddock was pleased with his team’s effort in a critical matchup.
“I liked our game basically from start to finish, that doesn’t mean it was easier or far superior, cause it’s obviously two teams going into Game 7 and that says a lot about the series.”
In Game 3 and Game 4 on home ice, the Pats were unable to hold their third period leads with the Blades picking up a pair of overtime victories. On Saturday, Regina did not relinquish the advantage after Bedard’s goal. The Pats captain felt that was a big boost for the team.
“That’s big, Big for our group to hold on to that, you know we’re learning how to play with those everything, obviously with guys who haven’t been in playoffs as much myself included, it’s definitely good to have a win like that.”
In what could’ve been his final home game as a member of the Pats, Bedard acknowledged the atmosphere the fans brought to the Brandt Centre during the series.
“It’s been electric.” The 17-year-old continued. ” We obviously think we have the best fans in the league, for us to play in these type of big games in front of them has been so much fun.”
For the ninth time over the last three weeks, the Pats and Blades will meet for the final time on Monday, with the winner moving on to the second round of the playoffs.
If the Pats defeat the Blades, they would meet Winnipeg in the second-round, but if Saskatoon prevails, they would face Red Deer next.
Coverage of Monday’s Game 7 begins at 6:10 on 620 CKRM with an extended pre-game show, Dante De Caria will have the play-by-play beginning at 7:00.
