BY Jonathan Huntington
REGINA – In a league final series that will be remembered for years for three OT games, incredible goaltending and epic hits – five plays on Saturday afternoon helped make the Regina Pat Canadians provincial champions.
1. 15-hours of anger: After being dismantled by the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors on Friday night, the Pat Cs released their frustration 15 hours later when Maddox Schultz hammered a perfect cross-ice feed by Ethan Young to give Regina a 1-0 lead Saturday just 26 seconds into the contest.
When asked after the game for his thoughts on the loss, that goal was the first thing Moose Jaw head coach Trevor Weisgerber mentioned: “Our start… giving up a goal on our first shift.”
2. Ethan Young’s head-contact hit on Wade Franks six minutes into the first period: This could have been a turning-point for Moose Jaw. Instead, it was a momentum-builder for Regina. The Pat Cs killed the four-minute penalty and then scored less than a minute later to make it 2-0.
3. Robbery by Adam Muntain: The Regina goalie made the save of the series – and received a standing ovation – when he figuratively stole a goal from Moose Jaw’s captain Ryan Gibbs with six minutes remaining in the opening period. “It’s a game changer,” said Regina head coach Ryan Hodgins.
At the time, it was 2-0 Pat Cs and it kept momentum on their side. The save became even bigger when Moose Jaw scored late in the period to make it 2-1.
4. Double-duty on the penalty kill: IF there was a singular turning point in the game, it was likely in the middle of the second period when Regina killed a two-man penalty for 1:26 – and then scored shortly afterwards (Ryker Doka) to lead 3-1. It was the first time in the series that Regina led a game by more than one goal.
5. Malaki Martin magic: Any hope of a Moose Jaw comeback ended when Regina’s 17-year-old power forward went coast-to-coast – from inside his own zone – to beat Steven Wawryk with quick hands and a quicker release. “I poked it past the defenceman and (I knew) the goalie bites hard,” explained Martin. “So, I went backhand to forehand (to score).”
(Photo: Maddox Schultz celebrating.)
