REGINA — The Regina Pats' streak came to an end in the Western Hockey League last week.
The WHL team's winning streak was halted at four games. Before the loss, they had won seven of their last eight. The Regina team had a 16-13-1-1 record, as of Sunday. They sat sixth in the WHL’s Eastern Conference after the weekend.
World Junior
Connor Bedard of the Regina Pats was one of 13 WHL players invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp to pick the team for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. The camp started last weekend.
The Seattle Thunderbirds duo of Davidson’s Nolan Allan and Saskatoon’s Kevin Korchinski were the Saskatchewan products who were invited.
The camp being held in Moncton. That city and Halifax are hosting the World Junior Championship, which runs Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
Last week
With Bedard away, the Pats earned two victories. Bedard left the team as the WHL leader in goals (27), assists (37) and points (64).
A strong start last Friday allowed the Pats to hold off the Prince Albert Raiders on the road and earn a 3-2 victory. Stanislav Svozil and Riley Ginnell scored in the first period to stake the Pats to a 2-0 lead. In the second frame, Ginnell’s second of the night increased Regina’s lead to 3-0. Ryder Ritchie scored for the Raiders before the second intermission to make the score 2-1. Keaton Sorensen’s powerplay goal in the third period pulled Prince Albert to within one, 3-2, but they were unable to tie up the game.
Drew Sim made 25 saves to earn the win for Regina. Max Hildebrand stopped 16 shots for Prince Albert.
On Saturday, the Pats wrapped up a 5-2 victory with three goals in the third period against the visiting Calgary Hitmen. Regina led 1-0 and 2-0 at the intermissions. Scoring for the Pats were Ginnell. Tanner Brown, Tanner Howe, Layton Feist, and Alexander Suzdalev. Stanislav Svozil recorded two assists. This week he is headed to join Czechia’s squad for the World Junior Championships.
Sim had 38 saves on 40 shots. For the Hitmen, Brayden Peters made 30 saves.
On Sunday, the Eastern Conference-leading Winnipeg Ice won 6-1 at home. Winnipeg led 3-0 and 6-1 at the intermissions. Howe had Regina’s goal. Scoring for the Ice were Aiden Oiring, Evan Friesen, Owen Pederson, Vladislav Shilo, Skyler Bruce and Graham Sward.
For the Pats, Kelton Pyne made 34 saves on 40 shots. He was recently called up from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Melville Millionaires. Pyne served as Sim’s backup for the two games earlier on the weekend. Daniel Hauser had 19 saves for the Ice.
The Pats host the Spokane Chiefs on Wednesday. The squad is in Moose Jaw on Friday to take on the Warriors. On Saturday, the Saskatoon Blades come to Regina.
