'They just didn’t have it:' Pats lose to Blades 2-1 in OT

It was not the Pats people were used to seeing on the ice Saturday night. 

First of all the team was minus Sam Steel and Austin Wagner – who are off to World Junior selection camp – but the game was also without the high scoring heroics fans have come to know. 

And it didn’t even end with a win. The Pats dropped the game against the 11-18-2 (now 12-18-2) Blades 2-1 in overtime. 

Head coach John Paddock said there were lots of things he could point to for the reason they lost, but it all came down to one.

“They just didn’t have it. You could throw out various reasons why but it doesn’t really matter why,” he said.

“Our best players they just didn’t do it. It falls on them.”

The Pats got off to an early start, with Robbie Holmes scoring his first of the season just a minute and a half into the game, however, that would be the only goal the Pats were score all game after missteps, bad bounces and bad passes followed them throughout. 

“We just didn’t play very good in the first and we didn’t play very good in the second and we didn’t play very good in the third,” Captain Adam Brooks said post-game. “(The Blades) came to play, they came to work and we didn’t.”

Fatigue may have played a role in the Pats loss, given it was their sixth game in eight days, but Paddock said the tiredness may have been more mental than physical. 

Gage Ramsay of the Blades knocked in the equalized in the second period and there was no scoring in the third sending the two teams into overtime. After that it didn’t take long for Saskatoon to seal the deal. 

Just 35 seconds in Jesse Shynkaruk got a beauty past Tyler Brown and sent the packed Brandt Centre home disappointed. 

But perhaps no one was more disappointed than Brooks. 

“It was definitely a frustrating game. Choppy. Didn’t stick to the game plan. Didn’t do anything we’re supposed to do and that’s why you lose games,” he said.

Brooks 22 game point streak was also ended in Saturday’s loss, though he said he wasn’t even thinking about it.

“More disappointed in the team game … we just didn’t play well tonight and I’m a big part of that.” 

The Pats next game isn’t until Friday in Moose Jaw. The Pats are sending a bus for fans who want to attend. Tickets are available through the Pats box office. 

The next home game is Saturday at 7pm, also against the Warriors. It will be the last Pats game before Christmas. 

ODD AND ENDS 

• Saturday’s stars: Logan Flodell (Blades), Tyler Brown (Pats) and Jesse Shynkaruk (Blades). 
• Adam Brooks point streak ended at 22 games. 
• The Pats remain undefeated at home in regulation time and remain atop the WHL with a 21-2-6 record. 
• The Pats record against the East Division is now 7-0-2-0 on the year.