The Regina Pats lost their pre-season opener to the Swift Current Broncos 8-5 on Wednesday at the Brandt Centre in a game that spotlighted each team's rookies.
Regina’s Corban Almen tied the contest up 5-5 late in the third period, but Aidan Sexsmith would retake the one-goal lead for Swift Current, potting his first of two on the night, leading the Broncos to the win.
The Pats did get off to a nice start, though. They outshot the Broncos in all periods. Mathis Paull scored twice in the first period, giving the Pats a 2-1 lead after the opening frame.
The Pats had seven different players register multi-point games. Logan Peskett (1G-1A), Cohen Klassen (1G-1A) and Mathis Paull (2G). Parker Rondeau (2G-1A) and Ty Coupland (2G-1A) each had three-point performances for Swift Current, while Koen Tyssen made 39 saves in net.
Pats head coach Brad Herauf was happy despite the outcome.
“Real happy with that first period, for the most part, the last 20 minutes we were tired. It has been a hard camp, and for a lot of our guys, they have been going twice a day.”
The Pats will play back-to-back games with Moose Jaw on Friday and Saturday in Estevan and Assiniboia, respectively, and Herauf knows where he will look to improve.
“Obviously, we weren't killing penalties very well. We haven't got to much of that stuff yet, so that's to be expected. But five on five, I liked the way we played, but there are a lot of things we need to clean up. We have some preseason things that you have to get out of your game.”
THE STATISTICS
SOG: Regina – 12-18-15–44 | Swift Current – 5-14-10–28
PP: Regina – 2/6 | Swift Current – 3/5
Face-offs: Regina – 41 | Swift Current – 30
THE GOALTENDING BATTLE
Regina: Drake Mooney (11 saves / 14 shots) / Cruz Chase (9 saves / 13 shots)
Brandon: Koen Tyssen (39 saves / 44 shots)
THE 3 STARS
First: Mathis Paull (2G) – Pats
Second: Parker Rondeau (2G-1A) – Pats
Third: Zach Lansard – Pats
COMING UP
· Friday, September 6 vs. Moose Jaw Warriors (7 p.m. in Estevan)
· Saturday, September 7 at Moose Jaw Warriors (7 p.m. in Assiniboia)
· Friday, September 13 at Brandon (7 p.m.)
· Saturday, September 14 vs. Brandon (6 p.m.)
