BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – It’s only one game but the Saskatoon Contacts sent waves through the SMAAAHL on Tuesday night.
In stunning fashion, the Contacts defeated the Regina Pat Canadians 7-4 at Merlis Belsher Place – handing the Pat Cs just their third regulation loss in 39 games. In the process, Saskatoon now owns sole possession of the final playoff spot – two points ahead of Tisdale with each team having four games remaining.
“That was our game in-hand over Tisdale, so the two points are huge,” said Contacts head coach Ryan Keller, while standing outside the dressing room moments after the game. “A lot can still change here. We will take (Wednesday) off, take Thursday to get better… but if we can get into the playoffs, this is a team that we might face.”
Regina is now tied with the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors for top spot in the regular-season standings. The two heavyweights battle Thursday night in Regina – but the Pat Cs will still hold a game in-hand entering this coming weekend.
If Regina finishes first and the Contacts grab the eighth – and final – playoff spot, the two clubs would meet in the first round. But there is lots of hockey to be played in the next 12 days before the regular season ends. And Regina was without their 15-year-old star Maddox Schultz on Tuesday.
The Pat Cs certainly missed his hustle, scoring power and stellar defensive play on Tuesday. On the other bench, Contacts’ leader Davey Fisher continued his torrid scoring pace. After notching the OT winner on the weekend against the Saskatoon Blazers, the 17-year-old captain scored two huge goals early in the third period Tuesday night to give the Contacts the lead – and they never looked back.
In fact, the Contacts scored four unanswered goals in the final frame with linemates Fisher and Austin Schafer involved in all four goals.
“They play a heavy game. If you look at (Fisher) and Schafer, they are 17-year-olds and they get after it,” continued Keller.
