Pats win wild one in Medicine Hat

The Regina Pats certainly made their sixth-straight win much tougher than necessary.

The Pats had a comfortable two-goal lead midway through the third period until penalty trouble landed them short handed and allowed the home town Medicine Hat Tigers a chance to comeback. The Tigers took full advantage.

Brian Williams scored with 4:30 left in the game to make it 4-3 Regina and with former Tiger Cole Sanford in the penalty box, Matt Bradley scored the tying goal with just under two minutes left to make it 4-4.

Both power plays were lethal as Medicine Hat scored three power play goals in the third period, going three for five on the night. The Pats power play went two for four.

Sanford nearly got the ultimate last laugh in overtime as he broke in late but fired it high, missing a chance to quiet those who booed him during the game after the 20-year old requested a trade out of Medicine Hat that ultimately led to his trade to Regina.

After overtime didn’t solve anything, it was off to a shootout. The Pats found themselves down to their last shooter twice and Sam Steel and Connor Hobbs both got key goals in rounds three and four to extend the skills competition. It went until round eight when Regina’s Lane Zablocki ended it with the goal.

The win is the Pats sixth straight. Adam Brooks extended his point streak to 11 games with an assist on Sam Steel’s power play goal in the third period.

Regina will visit Lethbridge on Wednesday night before returning home to play Prince Albert on Friday.

THREE STARS

1. Austin Wagner – The Pats winger opened the scoring for his 23rd of the season and later added an assist.
2. Matt Bradley – Bradley helped the Tigers’ power play get them back in the game with an assist early in the third and tying goal late.
3. Sam Steel – Steel’s third period power play goal ended up being valuable insurance. He also added an assist and got a big shootout goal to extend the game.