Pats can’t hold on to third-period lead against Warriors to start 2022-23 season

The Regina Pats couldn’t build off their momentum in the game against the Moose Jaw Warriors, losing 5-4 to start the 2022-23 season.

Despite the Pats leading in the third period and there being some bright spots, the Pats ultimately couldn’t get a win at home.

The loss had newly named captain Connor Bedard thinking back to their previous season, which saw the Pats go 27-36-3-2.

“It’s a little deja vu from last year,” Bedard said. “We played solid but in the end, we gave up five goals so you’re going to lose a lot of games if you do.

“From being here last year, you can only say you played well so many times. It’s still a loss and you play the game to win. You can take (positives) but in the end, it’s about finishing strong and getting the win.”

The Pats had the momentum early in the game, coming close on many scoring chances in the opening frame. Ultimately neither team found the net in the first period.

The second period saw goals come in bunches. The Warriors got on the board after a shot by forward Atley Calvert beat Pats goaltender Koen MacInnes just 27 seconds into the second frame.

But only 21 seconds later, Pats forward Cole Dubinsky tied things up at one when he beat Moose Jaw goalie Connor Ungar.

Forward Tye Spencer scored to give the Pats the lead, but Moose Jaw’s Josh Hoekstra tied things up again just 37 seconds later.

Spencer scored his second goal of the period to give the Pats the lead.

“It’s nice. It’s a push for the start of the season. It shows that my training is paying off but there’s a lot more work that needs to be done,” Spencer said.

Before the end of the frame, Moose Jaw centre Ben Riche scored his first WHL goal to tie things at three.

The third period saw the Pats kill off a five-on-three situation after forwards Tanner Howe (unsportsmanlike conduct) and Borya Valis (goaltender interference) took penalties at the same time.

But as the penalty expired, Pats defenceman Layton Feist found Howe as he emerged out of the box. Howe then passed it to Valis, who scored a goal.

But much like in the second period, the lead was shortlived with Moose Jaw centre Lynden Lakovic scoring 52 seconds later.

Riche scored his second goal of the game with 7:10 remaining in the game, and that proved to be the game-winner.

“I think those (shifts after a goal) are some of the most important shifts,” Bedard said. “When you can build momentum and it’s taken away right away, it’s not good for you and that happened three times tonight.”

It was a rare night where Bedard, who is a favourite to be selected first overall in the 2023 NHL draft, was held off the scoresheet.

“The reason we lose that game is because I don’t produce offensively. I think to see guys step up and have big nights, it was great to see. For myself, if I produce anything, we win that game,” Bedard said. “I wasn’t good enough.”

The Pats will get a chance to get even with the Warriors on Saturday in Moose Jaw. Puck drop for that game is set for 7 p.m.