Pats thumped 8-1 by Brandon in season opener

Pats head coach John Paddock predicted a slower start to the 2017 season, but he may not have expected an 8-1 loss to the Wheat Kings.

The Regina Pats opened their season in Brandon on Friday night and were dominated by the Wheaties who chased goaltender Tyler Brown from the game.

It was all wrong for the Pats from the start with Brandon scoring three goals in six minutes in the first period.

Pats forward Braydon Buziak would find the back of the net on the power play near the close of the first with help from Matt Bradley and Emil Oksanen, but it was the only time the team hit the scoreboard.

The onslaught continued in the second when Ty Lewis, who assisted on all three of the Wheat Kings previous goals, bookended the period with goals of his own and put Brandon up 5-1 at the end of the second.

The Pats attempted a fresh start putting backup goaltender Max Paddock in for the third period, but Brandon beat him for another three goals, first from Cole Reinhardt (his second of the night) then courtesy Rylan Bettens and Connor Gutenberg.

The Pats went one for five on the powerplay where Brandon scored in three of their five power plays.

The Regina Pats will look for redemption Saturday night as the Wheat Kings travel to the Brandt Centre for the Pats home opener.

The team is planning a special opening ceremony in honour of the Pats 100th season and are asking fans to be in their seats by 7 p.m.