Game Day - Pats & Blades

January 12, 2011

The Regina Pats welcome the number one team in the WHL to the Brandt Centre tonight, as the Saskatoon Blades visit the Queen City. Puck drop is 7:00pm.

The Lowdown
This is the 3rd of 6 meetings between the Pats and the Blades this season. These two teams have split the first two games with the Blades winning at home on October 2nd with the Pats taking the last meeting way back on October 26th, 5-2 at the Brandt Centre. The Pats had a 4 game winning streak snapped on Saturday in Edmonton, but have won 5 of their past 7 games and are 4 points back of Prince Albert for the final playoff spot in the Easter Conference

Bridge City Bits:
The Blades made the biggest splash on Monday’s WHL’s trade deadline by acquiring World Junior MVP, Brayden Schenn from the Wheat Kings in exchange for 2 prospects, 2 1st round bantam picks, a 2nd round bantam pick and a 1st round Import Draft Pick. He will join fellow Canadian World Junior, Curtis Hamilton on the club. The Blades are, by far, the top team in the WHL and are currently ranked 4th in Canada.

Who’s who:
Saskatoon:
C – Brayden Schenn – The 5th overall pick of the LA Kings in 2009 played 8 games with the Kings this season before heading back to the WHL. Lead World Jr. Hockey Championship in scoring.
LW – Curtis Hamilton – The 2nd round pick of the Oilers played for Canada at recent World Jr. Hockey Championships and is 4th in team scoring
D – Stefan Elliott – The 2nd round pick of the Avalanche is 2nd in team scoring and one of the top defencemen in the WHL.

Regina:
LW – Lane Scheidl – The 18 year old has goals in 2 of the past three games and is tops on the Pats in +/-.
G – Matt Hewitt – The 18 year old rookie goaltender won his 6th game Friday night in Red Deer and has raised his save percentage to .904
D – Brandon Davidson – The Oiler draft pick is 2nd on the Pats in scoring and has paired with Myles Bell to form the team’s top shut down defensive pair.

Shoot out specialists:
The Pats have gone to a shoot out 7 times this season and have won 6 including a 10 round affair on Friday night in Red Deer. Jordan Weal is 6/7 in shoot outs, while Colin Reddin is 5/7.

Top Prospect:
17 year old Regina Pats defenceman, Myles Bell has will be playing in the CHL Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19th at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The Pats have been well represented over the past few seasons:
2010: Jordan Weal – Team Cherry
2008: Colten Teubert, Jordan Eberle – Team McDonald/Vernon

Next Action:
The Pats will continue a three game home stand on Friday night as the Pats host the Oil Kings on Mike Sillinger jersey retirement night. Puck drops at 7pm and for ticket information, head to www.reginapats.com.

From ReginaPats.com and the desk of Dan Plaster (I'm assuming).