Pats overcome penalties to beat Warriors 3-2 to begin WHL season

The Regina Pats overcame a bevy of penalties and knocked off the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-2 to open the 2019-20 WHL regular season on Friday.

“Both teams hate each other so whenever we get a win against them, it feels pretty good,” Pats right-winger Austin Pratt said after the win at the Brandt Centre.

Pratt, who was named the 79th captain in Pats history on Sept. 14, put Regina on the board early, tipping a shot from centre Dawson Holt past Moose Jaw goalie Bailey Brkin just 20 seconds into the game.

“You always want to get your first (goal of the season) out of the way as quick as you can to start rolling,” Pratt said. “It’s just how we’ve been playing — go to the net and get tips.”

The Pats added a goal by Ty Kolle midway through the first period to push the lead to two goals in the rivalry game.

“We spent the last month preparing for (this opener); we were looking for a great starting weekend,” Kolle said. “It’s just all the small details that we worked on that are coming into play now.”

But despite dominating the game in the first period, outshooting the Warriors 15-2 in that span, Pats penalties allowed Moose Jaw to keep the game close.

The Warriors were without one of their top players, with left-winger Brayden Tracey currently with the Anaheim Ducks after getting drafted in April (first round, 29th overall).

The Pats took three penalties in each of the second and third periods and finished with seven on the night.

The Warriors took advantage of the extra man, with right-winger Keenan Taphorn scoring in the second period and right-winger Carson Denomie potting the equalizer in the third. Both of those came on the power play.

Despite the number of penalties, Pats head coach Dave Struch said he doesn’t plan on talking to the team about them.

“It will just make it worse,” Struch said. “We have to play the way we played in the first period. Play hard and play the right way and have the puck and you won’t take as many penalties.”

Kolle had an opportunity to put the Pats ahead in the third period, but was stopped by Brkin on a breakaway.

But Kolle wouldn’t relent in his effort, eventually scoring the game-winner with 9:41 left in the third period.

“I had a couple fumbles but that last one felt pretty good to get,” Kolle said.

Struch said Kolle was able to get off to a good start due to the hard work he put in during the past month as the team got prepared for the regular season.

“The work ethic has been there,” Struch said. “There is a long ways to go. We need him to be good on both sides of the puck but obviously it was a good start for him tonight.”

The win gave the Pats their first win against the Warriors, matching their season total from last season against the team located a short drive away. Moose Jaw was 7-1 against Regina in the series last season.

“Last year we hated playing these guys and they hate playing us,” Kolle said. “It’s really good to beat these guys and start the season off with a good one.”

The Pats and Warriors will meet again in Moose Jaw on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Place.