BY Jonathan Huntington
REGINA – The battle is over but the war may still be to come.
For the second year in a row, the Regina Pat Canadians are U18AAA provincial champions after defeating the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors – this time in five games with a 5-2 victory on home ice Saturday afternoon.
For the Pat Cs, it marks their 12th SMAAAHL title in franchise history. And for Moose Jaw, it’s the second-straight frustrating trip to the league finals against their Trans Canada rival.
But for both teams, the bigger prize sits on the horizon next weekend with the Telus Cup Western Regional in Regina, with the winner advancing to the national tournament. The Pat Cs and Warriors will be joined by the Winnipeg Bruins and Thunder Bay Kings.
“It’s a good feeling,” said Regina head coach Ryan Hodgins, as helmets and sticks littered the ice during the post-game celebration. “It’s a pretty special match-up (between two teams). On the ride home (after losing Friday night in Moose Jaw) you could feel the energy and this morning we had a good feeling.”
The quick 15-hour turnaround between Game 4 and 5 worked to Regina’s advantage.
After playing with the lead for less than 11 minutes in the first four games – combined – of the series, the Pat Cs started the game like they were shot out of a cannon. Maddox Schultz scored just 26 seconds into the first period on a great cross-ice pass by Ethan Young (Brandon Wheat Kings prospect).
“A lot of anger came out of us in that first period,” said Schultz, the first-overall WHL draft choice of the Regina Pats. “We came out flying.”
Kai Lanigan (Kamloops Blazers draft choice) scored his first of the post-season on a point shot through traffic midway through the period to make 2-0. Riley Brown (Wenatchee Wild second-round pick) responded for Moose Jaw to make it 2-1 after the opening stanza.
After Regina killed a 1:26 two-man penalty midway thru the second period, Ryker Doka (Spokane Chiefs prospect) made it 3-1 for the Pat Cs. Malaki Martin (Prince Albert Raiders listed-prospect) increased the lead four minutes into the third period with his league-leading 10th goal of the post-season. Mahlon Wiley (Regina Pats draft pick) added an empty-netter with 2:31 remaining.
“This stings – to be this close,” stated Moose Jaw head coach Trevor Weisgerber. “We had too many turnovers early and we got behind the eight-ball.”
FINISH LINES: Another capacity crowd of 1,600 jammed into the Co-operators Centre Saturday afternoon… Tyler Hudec had Moose Jaw’s late third period goal… Moose Jaw opens the Telus Cup Western Regional on Thursday afternoon against Winnipeg. Regina will play the night-cap against Thunder Bay.
