Seven Regina Pats enjoyed multi-point games as part of a 10-2 triumph over the Kootenay ICE Wednesday at the Brandt Centre.
Regina fired 62 shots at the Kootenay net, while the lone ICE offense came courtesy of a pair of Fedor Rudakov tallies.
The Pats struck first just past the midway mark of the opening period when a point shot from defenseman Connor Hobbs found its way in through traffic. Filip Ahl converted a one-timer off a Kootenay turnover just before the intermission to hand the hosts a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Regina doubled their lead in quick succession early in period two. Rookie forward Nick Henry converted a cross-ice pass from the right circle at the 21-second mark before Ahl was credited with his second goal of the game after a shot caromed off ICE goaltender Payton Lee and off Ahl’s heel.
Kootenay replied with a Rudakov marker two and a half minutes after Ahl’s second goal. Rudakov’s shot from the left wing was stopped by Pats netminder Jordan Hollett, who then inadvertently directed the puck into his own net. It was Rudakov’s first WHL goal.
Sam Steel and Jake Leschyshyn scored for Regina 16 seconds apart late in the middle frame to give the Pats a 6-1 lead through two periods.
Steel then added a second goal 1:14 into the third, converting past relief goaltender Jakob Walter after linemate Dawson Leedahl fed a hard pass to the front of the net. Riley Bruce fired a low shot home from the left point 89 seconds later to extend the Regina lead to 8-1.
Henry and Luc Smith finished off the night’s offense for the Pats with goals inside the final eight minutes. Their markers were split by a second Rudakov goal for the ICE, as he collected a pass from Austin Wellsby in the slot, zipping a shot past Hollett’s blocker hand.
Lee made 33 saves in 40 minutes of work for Kootenay, while Walter stopped 19 of 23 shots in the third period. Hollett turned aside 30 pucks for Regina.
The ICE went 0-6 on the power play, while the Pats were 2-3.
HADDAD FINANCIAL SERVICES 3 STARS:
1. Filip Ahl, Regina
2. Connor Hobbs, Regina
3. Adam Brooks, Regina
UP NEXT: the ICE continue their away swing Friday night in Prince Albert. Game time from the Art Hauser Centre is set for 7:00 pm.
