nivek_wahs
03-15-2007, 04:00 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=7412e4cc-0dd4-4417-9c5d-2c0b3484ca7e
Pats find way to win
The Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Regina Pats aren't playing any favourites in the East Division playoff race.
Garrett Festerling's breakaway goal with 1:45 left in the third period lifted Regina to a 2-1 win over the host Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday night.
Prince Albert has lost four straight games but is still clinging to the final playoff spot in the East with a one-point lead over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Moose Jaw lost 3-1 to the host Saskatoon Blades, who kept their playoff hopes alive, climbing within one point of Moose Jaw and two of the Raiders.
All three teams have two regular-season games remaining.
It's the second-straight game in which Moose Jaw failed to leapfrog Prince Albert and claim sole possession of fourth place. The Warriors also lost 5-1 to Regina on Sunday.
"It was a satisfying win," said Pats head coach Curtis Hunt. "We're playing teams where these games matter. We wanted to come in here and find a way to win. That's what we did. That should serve us well as we move forward."
Kaspars Saulietis continued his recent hot streak when he got Regina on the board with 30 seconds left in the first period. Ryan DePape tied it up at 7:05 of the second period with a power-play goal.
Ex-Pats goalie Jesse Deckert stopped 23 shots in a losing cause. Linden Rowat stopped 33 shots for the Pats, who improved their road record to 11-19-1-4.
"We got better as the night went on," said Hunt. "We gave up a lot of shots in the first two periods but our game got stronger. In the third period we were outstanding. All their shots were from the outside. We had lots of scoring chances. Give (the Raiders) full marks. They must have blocked 20 shots tonight. They were terrific in their commitment to getting the job done.
"We found a way to win on the road.
Regina entered Wednesday's game having lost five straight away from the Brandt Centre, although the past three had been decided in overtime or a shootout.
Overall, the Pats haven't suffered a regulation defeat in their last 10 games (7-0-1-2).
"This is a nice little run for us," said Hunt, whose team improved to 35-27-1-2 overall. "Our guys are focused on a goal right now. You have to give them credit."
The Pats close out the regular season with a home-and-home set against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Regina visits the Keystone Centre on Friday and plays host to Brandon on Saturday at the Brandt Centre.
Prince Albert concludes the schedule with two games against the Blades. Moose Jaw's final two games are against the Swift Current Broncos, who've locked up third place and will meet Regina in the first round of the playoffs.
EXTRAS: Regina won the season series with a 5-1-0-2 record against Prince Albert ... Pats RW Brett Leffler missed his second straight game with what's being listed as a shoulder problem. D Craig Schira also sat with an undisclosed injury ... Former Brandon Wheat Kings owner Bob Cornell is this year's recipient of the WHL's Governors Award. The honour is given to an individual who contributes to the growth and development of the WHL through their service to the league and achievements in the game. Cornell owned the Wheat Kings for nearly three decades before selling his shares to Kelly McCrimmon in 2000.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Pats find way to win
The Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Regina Pats aren't playing any favourites in the East Division playoff race.
Garrett Festerling's breakaway goal with 1:45 left in the third period lifted Regina to a 2-1 win over the host Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday night.
Prince Albert has lost four straight games but is still clinging to the final playoff spot in the East with a one-point lead over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Moose Jaw lost 3-1 to the host Saskatoon Blades, who kept their playoff hopes alive, climbing within one point of Moose Jaw and two of the Raiders.
All three teams have two regular-season games remaining.
It's the second-straight game in which Moose Jaw failed to leapfrog Prince Albert and claim sole possession of fourth place. The Warriors also lost 5-1 to Regina on Sunday.
"It was a satisfying win," said Pats head coach Curtis Hunt. "We're playing teams where these games matter. We wanted to come in here and find a way to win. That's what we did. That should serve us well as we move forward."
Kaspars Saulietis continued his recent hot streak when he got Regina on the board with 30 seconds left in the first period. Ryan DePape tied it up at 7:05 of the second period with a power-play goal.
Ex-Pats goalie Jesse Deckert stopped 23 shots in a losing cause. Linden Rowat stopped 33 shots for the Pats, who improved their road record to 11-19-1-4.
"We got better as the night went on," said Hunt. "We gave up a lot of shots in the first two periods but our game got stronger. In the third period we were outstanding. All their shots were from the outside. We had lots of scoring chances. Give (the Raiders) full marks. They must have blocked 20 shots tonight. They were terrific in their commitment to getting the job done.
"We found a way to win on the road.
Regina entered Wednesday's game having lost five straight away from the Brandt Centre, although the past three had been decided in overtime or a shootout.
Overall, the Pats haven't suffered a regulation defeat in their last 10 games (7-0-1-2).
"This is a nice little run for us," said Hunt, whose team improved to 35-27-1-2 overall. "Our guys are focused on a goal right now. You have to give them credit."
The Pats close out the regular season with a home-and-home set against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Regina visits the Keystone Centre on Friday and plays host to Brandon on Saturday at the Brandt Centre.
Prince Albert concludes the schedule with two games against the Blades. Moose Jaw's final two games are against the Swift Current Broncos, who've locked up third place and will meet Regina in the first round of the playoffs.
EXTRAS: Regina won the season series with a 5-1-0-2 record against Prince Albert ... Pats RW Brett Leffler missed his second straight game with what's being listed as a shoulder problem. D Craig Schira also sat with an undisclosed injury ... Former Brandon Wheat Kings owner Bob Cornell is this year's recipient of the WHL's Governors Award. The honour is given to an individual who contributes to the growth and development of the WHL through their service to the league and achievements in the game. Cornell owned the Wheat Kings for nearly three decades before selling his shares to Kelly McCrimmon in 2000.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007