Bedard nets OT winner vs. Raiders, Blades cool off in Red Deer

Connor Bedard couldn’t have picked a better time to score his team-leading 30th goal of the season.

The Regina Pats sank the Prince Albert Raiders in overtime 5-4, thanks to Bedard’s game-winner.

The 2005-born prospect rifled the puck glove side, beating Raiders netminder Tikhon Chaika, before shushing the Raiders faithful in the celebration.

Bedard added an assist on the net on the crucial goal that sent the game to overtime. Trailing 4-3, Bedard dragged multiple Raider defenders on him, before finding teammate Cole Carrier to strike for the tying goal.

The North Vancouver-born prospect now has 30 goals, 26 assists on the season in just 37 games.

Regina is now just four points back from Swift Current for the second wild card spot, with five total games in hand.

Saskatoon

The Blades kicked off their five-game road trip on the wrong side against a stingy Rebels team.

So far in the month of February, the Blades only have two losses to show. They just so happen to both come against Red Deer.

Saskatoon competed much more following their 6-1 loss to the Rebels on Feb. 5th. 

The two teams each got on the board in the first frame, with Arshdeep Bains scoring his 24th goal of the season for Red Deer, followed by Brandon Lisowsky striking for his 25th of the campaign.

Trailing 3-1 in the 2nd period after a pair of powerplay goals, the Blades inched out a comeback thanks to Belarus product Egor Sidorov and Brandon Lisowsky notching his second goal of the night to make it 3-3.

Kyle Crnkovic added an assist on the Lisowsky power-play goal, adding his league-leading 70th point of the season.

However, the Rebels would find the crucial go-ahead goal in the 3rd period.

Arshdeep Bains gave Red Deer the 4-3 lead before Jace Isley put the game to bed on an empty netter.

Saskatoon finished being outshot 29-17.

The Blades will face another stiff test tonight, taking on the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Oil Kings currently sit at the top of the Eastern Conference with 71 points, while the Blades remain in 5th overall with 54 points.