Pats games sold out as fans line up at the box office

They could be called a “Golden Ticket” and they are about as wanted as Willy Wonka’s famous prize.

The tickets to the first two games of the WHL’s Eastern Conference Final on Friday and Saturday sold out within 10 minutes.

Most fans bought online and through the app, but roughly 100 people stayed in line at the Brandt Centre box office for hours waiting for their chance to buy.

“I’ve been in line for a while, but I missed out on tickets for the last game so I made sure I got here early,” Jean Husli said with four tickets in hand. “I’ve got two for Friday and two for Saturday.”

Fans are excited to see the Pats continue their run in the WHL playoffs, something the team hasn’t done in more than 20 years.

“I was a fan ever since watching (Dennis) Sobchuk, (Mike) Wanchuk, (Clark) Gillies and Eddie Stanoiwiski in the old stadium,” Rick Pylatuk explained. “This is the second time I’ve seen them in my lifetime go this far.”

With tickets being sold so quickly, it is likely many in line were disappointed.

But Pylatuk said it is great to see so many in the city join The Regiment, the name given to the team’s fan base.

“You’ve got to be here to witness the atmosphere and the excitement and everything,” Pylatuk said. “Just the excitement it is generating here in Regina is unbelievable.”

The Pats take to the ice this Friday with puck drop at 7 p.m.