Photo by Brandi Crowe
Regina, SK (CKLQ) – Dean McNabb posted his first career WHL shutout as the Regina Pats handed the Brandon Wheat Kings a 4-0 loss on Friday night.
The Wheat Kings dominated the first period, outshooting the Pats 14-4 but it was the Pats who would strike first.
With less than a minute to go in the frame, Cole Dubinsky snuck one past Jiri Patera to open the scoring.
Brandon had three powerplays in the first period including an elongated five-on-three but failed to put one past Dean McNabb who made 30 saves on the night.
The Pats added an insurance marker midway through the second. Riley Krane was left alone in front and tapped his 11th of the year into the yawning cage to give the Pats the 2-0 lead.
Regina re-gained some momentum in the period, outshooting Brandon 16-11.
Despite what looked like another insurance marker in the 2nd, the officials ruled that Austin Pratt had made "incidental contact" with Jiri Patera prior to the Pats scoring a powerplay goal. The call drew the ire of the Pats fans, but it kept the Wheat Kings in the game after 40 minutes.
A scary moment for Wheat Kings fans in the third period, as Jiri Patera left the game with Athletic Therapist RJ Kaszczij while favoring his right leg. The Czech import left the game after making 22 saves on 24 shots. Ethan Kruger came on in relief and stopped 10 of 12 shots he faced.
The Pats would add two more in the third period including a powerplay goal from Austin Pratt. Regina finished the night 1/6 on the man advantage while Brandon was 0/4.
These two teams will do it all over again tonight (Saturday) at Westoba Place. The QCountry pre-game show hits the air at 7:00.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
REG – Cole Dubinsky (3) (Sedov) 19:17
Shots: 14-4 Brandon
2nd PERIOD
REG – Riley Krane (11) (Pierce, Schioler) 9:47
Shots: 16-11 Regina
3rd PERIOD
REG – Austin Pratt (18) (Sedov, Streau) 9:59 PPG
REG – Sebastian Streau (6) (Sedov, Pratt) 14:01
Final Shots: 36-30 Regina
