REGINA -- The Regina Pats continue to defy expectations through the first weeks of the Western Hockey League season.
Despite being picked by few to be in contention this season, Regina continued their solid start to the campaign by picking up their third win in four games on Friday night, taking a 4-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos at the Brandt Centre.
The win improved the Pats record to 4-3-0-0 on the season, good enough for fifth place in the Eastern Conference and single point out of second. The Broncos -- off to a solid start themselves -- fell to 4-4-0-0 and are tied with Regina.
The first period was the story of the game Friday, as Connor Bear, Jaxsin Vaughn and Zach Moore all scored their first goals of the season to give Regina a 3-0 lead out of the opening 20 minutes.
Carlin Dezainde scored his seventh of the season midway through the second period to get the Broncos within a pair, but that would be as close as Swift Current would get.
Tyson Buczkowski restored Regina’s three-goal lead early in the third period and the Pats would hold on for the win.
The Pats’ Braxton Whitehead had two assists in the game and was the only player with multiple points.
Kelton Pyne turned in a solid showing in goal for Regina with 26 saves and was named the game’s first star. Joey Rocha had 26 stops for Swift Current.
The Broncos are back in action Saturday night when they host the Everett Silvertips, with puck drop at 7 p.m. at the InnovationPlex.
Regina is back on the ice Sunday when the Spokane Chiefs visit the Brandt Centre. Game time is 2 p.m.
