Despite a late push in the third period to tie the game, the Regina Pats didn’t have enough in the tank losing 5-3 to the Warriors Saturday night in Moose Jaw.
The Warriors managed to put up a four-goal lead by the end of two periods, scoring two goals in each of the first and second frames. Carson Denomie scored his second of the season on the powerplay before Ryder Korczak knocked in his first to make it 2-0 Warriors.
Halfway through the game, Tate Popple extended the lead by three goals for the home side. Keenan Taphorn scored a buzzer beater with one second remaining on the clock to make it 4-0 Warriors after two.
After leading in shots through two thirds, the Pats’ chances finally came together in the last minutes of the game.
Sloan Stanick got things started with his first WHL career goal at 15:02. Riley Krane ripped home his first from the left to bring the Pats within two with under four minutes left in regulation. Then Robbie Holmes made a game of it with his first of the season with the net empty at 18:55 to make it 4-3 Moose Jaw.
However, once play resumed, the Warriors slotted the puck in the empty net thanks to Carson Denomie’s second of the night, ending the night with a 5-3 Warriors victory.
Moose Jaw goaltender Bailey Brkin was awarded the night’s first star after stopping 43 pucks for the Warriors in the win. Regina’s Max Paddock provided 19 saves at the other end.
Between the home-and-home series this weekend, the Pats outshot the Warriors 76-46. Regina starts the season at 1-1-0-0 after they picked up a 3-2 win at home on Friday.
The Pats are back on the ice Friday night at the Brandt Centre versus the Prince Albert Raiders.
