The Regina Pats were hoping for a quick start in Game 3 of the WHL East final as the series moved to Lethbridge. It didn't happen.
While it didn't happen for the visiting team, it did for the home team as Brandon Menell scored just 16 seconds in to energize the pro-Hurricanes crowd at the Enmax Centre as Lethbridge took Game 3 of the best-of-seven series 3-1 to take a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 in Lethbridge Wednesday.
The goal put Lethbridge in control and while the Pats outshot the Hurricanes 13-7 in the opening 20 minutes, Stuart Skinner once again shut the door to give the Canes all the momentum they would need.
Regina did tie it on Dawson Leedahl's goal midway through the second, but Jadon Joseph scored about three minutes later after stepping out of the penalty box for what was the game-winner,
Igor Babenko added a 3rd period marker which came after the referees decided not to call a penalty on Canes defenceman Brady Pouteau who clearly brought down a Pats player leading to Babenko's goal.
Penalty or not, it did not take away from the fact Lethbridge controlled the game basically from the opening faceoff and would not allow Regina to play their game.
Game 4 is Wednesday, and Regina may have more injury problems. Austin Wagner left the game in the 2nd period after a slash and did not return. His status for Game 4 is not known. The Pats are already missing defenceman Dawson Davidson.
That 4th game goes in Lethbridge on Wednesday night with radio coverage on 620 CKRM and TV coverage on Access 7 or SHAW.
1st Period-1, Lethbridge, Menell 5 (Estephan, Wong), 0:16. Penalties-Wong Let (hooking), 3:50; Nagel Let (high sticking), 16:28; Brooks Reg (high sticking), 17:41; Bellerive Let (roughing), 17:41.
2nd Period-2, Regina, Leedahl 9 (Mahura, Steel), 10:43. 3, Lethbridge, Joseph 2 (Pouteau), 13:54. Penalties-Joseph Let (slashing), 11:46; Steel Reg (tripping), 18:07.
3rd Period-4, Lethbridge, Babenko 8 (Wong, Pouteau), 4:08. Penalties-de Wit Reg (slashing), 11:41; Hobbs Reg (roughing), 15:31.
Shots on Goal-Regina 13-8-8-29. Lethbridge 7-10-10-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Regina 0 / 3; Lethbridge 0 / 3.
Goalies-Regina, Brown (27 shots-24 saves). Lethbridge, Skinner (29 shots-28 saves).
A-5,178
Referees-Reid Anderson (53), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Chad Huseby (59), Cody Huseby (88).
In the Western Conference final, Seattle beat Kelowna 2-1 to take a 2-1 lead in that best of 7. For the 2nd time in the series, Seattle got the game-winner in the final 30 seconds of regulation as Keegan Kolesar scored at the 19:40 mark of the 3rd period. Game 4 is in Kelowna Wednesday.
3 comments:
For the second game in the East Division Series the Pats have failed to show up, and watching the game was embarrassing. The Steel line was beaten all game long from the face off, even strength, and pp. They were on for every goal Lethbridge scored. Hobbs was horrible again on for every goal scored along with Mahura. Brown was back to letting in short side goals and it's all happening again. He is good but Skinner is great. It was brutal to watch the Pats futility. The Pats missed open nets and had no fight all game long. They once again played on the perimeter all game long. Something they seem to have grown accustomed to doing. Paddock gave up the farm for Mahura who has been awful. Paddock failed to ensure enough depth and now the Pats look like and are playing like a whipped and beaten bunch. Where is the aggression and want? Our defence is bloody awful and one has to wonder why? Anholt has rebuilt his defence with a big strong bunch with less notoriety but much more effective. Only one d-man remains from last year. He rebuilt his offence trading many key guys and obtaining better key guys by trade. He ensured he had a stud goalie. He did everything without the big names and far outperformed Paddock. Paddock often seems so cool and without a pulse and that's how his team plays. They will not win this series. The Hurricanes are much better than the Pats and it will be done in 5 games and 6 at the most. The trades Paddock made have screwed up this team and it will result in failure.
It doesn't matter who wins this series, Seattle is winning the league.
What has happened to Steel and Henry? Have they done anything since the Calgary series ended?
If they don't win tonight, they aren't coming back from 3-1 this time.
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