REGINA -- The Regina Pats made things interesting in the third period against the Spokane Chiefs on Sunday afternoon but still came up a goal short in Western Hockey League action.
After a back-and-forth first period, Spokane scored the only two goals in the second and would go on to a 4-3 victory at the Brandt Centre.
Regina fell to 4-4-0-0 and remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while Spokane improved to 7-2-0-0 and are tied for first in the Western Conference.
The Pats got off to a good start in the opening frame, but Spokane had a quick response each time they hit the score sheet.
Zach Moore opened scoring for Regina with a power play goal only 4:37 into the game, but Rasmus Ekstrom would get that back for Spokane only 1:20 later.
Sam Oremba then gave Regina a 2-1 edge with 6:05 remaining in the opening period, only for Shea Van Olm to reply three minutes later and send the teams into the dressing room tied 2-2.
Hayden Paupanekis gave Spokane the lead for good at the nine minute mark of the second, and Van Olm made it a two goal game five minutes later, with the Chiefs leading 4-2 through two
Cole Temple got one back for Regina with 4:13 to play, and the Pats had a slew of chances with the goaltender pulled in the final two minutes, but they’d be unable to find the tying goal.
Van Olm finished with two goals and three points and has moved back into the WHL scoring lead with eight goals and 17 points in nine games. Seattle Kraken first rounder Berkly Catton picked up three assists.
Tye Spencer had two helpers for Regina.
Kelton Pyne turned aside 17 shots in the Pats net, Dawson Cowan had 26 stops for the Chiefs.
Regina is back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Saskatoon to face the Blades. Game time is 7 p.m. from SaskTel Centre.
