Powerplay powers Pats over Blades

In a game full of hits, fights, and plenty of words — it was the calm, cool, collected Regina Pats emerging 4-1 victors over the Saskatoon Blades.

The Pats’ power play took advantage of a chippy game, scoring on their first three attempts.

Regina captain Adam Brooks scored the eventual game winner, a snipe from the high slot over the shoulder of Blades’ goalie Brock Hamm.

The goal marks his 100th point of the season.

“It’s something I never thought I would do after my first two years,” Brooks said after hitting the century mark in now two straight seasons.

“We got a lot of talent so when we get on the powerplay we move the puck well and have seen some success.”

Nick Henry, Dawson Leedahl, and Braydon Buziak rounded out the scoring for Regina (43-9-6-1), who have posted back to back wins since a 4-0 shutout loss in Moose Jaw on Saturday.

Both sides enter the contest looking at two different scenarios. The Pats have clinched a playoff spot and primed for what could be consecutive trips to the Memorial Cup. Saskatoon is fighting for their playoff lives and the loss leaves the Blades two points back of Calgary for the final playoff spot in the East. 

Blades head coach Dean Brockman had a lengthy closed doors meeting with his players post-game.

“Just telling them what it takes to play at this time of the year, we gotta display more passion,” said Brockman.

“We’ve gotta want to get there you can’t take the easy way out and tonight I thought we took the easy way out.

Michael Farren scored the Blades loan goal. A backdoor play on the power play set up by Braylon Shmyr, who was making his return after suffering a concussion on Feb. 4.

The Blades struggled to break down the Pats’ defence at even strength, outshot 47-16 in the process.

Keeping to the script from past meetings in 2016/17, the fists were flying once again. On three separate occasions, players from each side dropped the gloves as the teams combined for 72 penalty minutes.

After five games on the road, the Pats return to the Brandt Centre on Friday, Feb. 24 to host Swift Current. Saskatoon will host Prince Albert the same night at SaskTel Centre.