BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – The Regina Pat Canadians couldn’t have written a better script for Round 1 of the Saskatchewan U18AAA playoffs.
The #1 ranked team in the country swept the Saskatoon Contacts with a 6-3 victory Wednesday night on home ice – and in the process, earn at least five days off before Round 2 begins. “It’s nice to get a rest and definitely time to re-load,” said Regina head coach Ryan Hodgins just moments after the game.
Led by the return of 15-year-old forward Maddox Schultz with a goal and two assists, the Pat Cs had six different goal scorers (Logan Dosenberger, Liam Pue, Eli Heroux, Malaki Martin, Brodie Bowen and Schultz). But the final score is a bit deceiving. The Contacts scored six minutes into the third period to tie the game at 3-3 before Regina pulled away.
“They are a well coached team,” continued Hodgins. “It was a battle and that doesn’t surprise us. They took it to us in a game at the end of the regular season.”
While the Contacts prepare for next season, the Pat Cs have the luxury of watching their next opponent continue to play in the first round. While it’s unclear what team will travel to Regina to open the semi-final round, the league has already set that the second round will be played between March 10th-18th.
