The Regina Pats got off to a good start in Game 1 of the WHL East Final, but it was the Lethbridge Hurricanes who were the better team as they skated off the Brandt Centre ice with a 3-1 win,
With a sold-out crowd behind them, the Pats got a goal just 70 seconds in from Austin Wagner, but that was all Stuart Skinner would allow.
Moments after Wagner's goal, Adam Brooks hopped the boards and took his first shift with his teammates since a lower-body injury suffered in Game 2 of the Swift Current series. Once fans realized Brooks was on the ice, the 20 year old captain was given a hearty salute by the sold-out crowd.
Giorgio Estephan tied it for the Hurricanes midway through the 2nd with Jordy Bellerive getting the winner two minutes into the third on a goal-mouth scramble.
Regina thought they had tied the game without about 8 minutes to go in regulation as Wagner beat Skinner for his 2nd goal of the game, but a video review showed the net had been dislodged before the puck crossed the line.
Estephan completed the scoring into an empty-net
Game 2 is at the Brandt Centre Saturday in a 7 o'clock start.
1st Period-1, Regina, Wagner 11 (Ahl, Zborovskiy), 1:10. Penalties-Bellerive Let (roughing), 2:53; Leedahl Reg (roughing), 2:53; Merezhko Let (roughing), 5:16; Babenko Let (inter. on goaltender), 16:31.
2nd Period-2, Lethbridge, Estephan 9 (Babenko, Merezhko), 13:23. Penalties-Buziak Reg (delay of game), 8:47.
3rd Period-3, Lethbridge, Bellerive 5 (Zborosky, Merezhko), 1:59 (PP). 4, Lethbridge, Estephan 10 18:38 (EN). Penalties-Ahl Reg (hooking), 1:02; Leedahl Reg (slashing), 19:39.
Shots on Goal-Lethbridge 8-10-7-25. Regina 14-12-11-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Lethbridge 1 / 3; Regina 0 / 2.
Goalies-Lethbridge, Skinner (37 shots-36 saves). Regina, Brown (24 shots-22 saves).
In the Western Conference, Ethan Bear's goal with 12 seconds left in regulation lifted Seattle to a 5-4 win over Kelowna in Game 1 of that series. Game 2 goes in Seattle Saturday.
3 comments:
Tough night for Pats, but that was a good solid playoff hockey game. Expect the same tonight
Looks like another tough series for Pats coming up. They will have to dig deep to beat Lethbridge.
I can't be the only one to be disappointed with Steel and his play over the past 8 games am I? Yes, I know it is more difficult at this time of year to get the freedom you want out there, but he really seems to be struggling.
JN
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