Cole Sanford's hat trick helps end Regina Pats losing streak

The Regina Pats three-game losing streak ended with a 5-3 win over Kootenay.

Cole Sanford got a hat trick and Adam Brooks extended his point streak in for the winning side.

Despite the win, Head Coach John Paddock says there were a lot of teachable moments in the game and was disappointed with the amount of turnovers.

The Pats may have lost a little focus after Lane Zablocki made it 4-1 early in the second period. The Ice quickly made it 4-2 on a scramble play and then capitalized on the power play before the period was over with a tip in and a tense 4-3 game going to the third.

Paddock then used a little external motivation for the Pats, who are still trying to climb out of a wild card spot and leap frog the Moose Jaw Warriors. After the second, Paddock says he walked into the room and wrote on the board that the Lethbridge Hurricanes were up on Moose Jaw 4-1.

The message to take advantage of their opportunity got through as the Pats were a lot sharper in the third period. They outshot Kootenay 18-6 in the third, but had to wait for Cole Sanford’s hat trick goal with 41 seconds left in to an empty net before the game felt in control.

With the Pats win, they’re now five points back of the Warriors with eight games left on the year. Regina is home to Swift Current on Friday before hosting Brandon on Sunday.

THREE STARS

1. Cole Sanford – The Pats 20-year old continues to fit nicely, scoring his first hat trick as a member of the Pats.
2. Zak Zborosky – The Ice forward stood out and had a goal and was a +2 for Kootenay in the loss.
3. Adam Brooks – Brooks extended his point streak to 16 games and with three assists now has 107 points on the season, leading the WHL.