REGINA - It’s a sure sign fall has arrived: the WHL hockey season is officially back.
Brandt Centre was abuzz on Saturday night as the Regina Pats took on the Brandon Wheat Kings for the Pats’ home opener.
The game’s start time was 6 p.m. — an earlier start which the Pats hope will attract more families to games this season. The Pats will have 13 Saturday night games each with 6 p.m. start times.
There will also be fewer Sunday games, with three games with 2 p.m. start times. Regina will also host Moose Jaw on New Year’s Day with a 4 p.m. start time. All other home games will have 7 p.m. starts.
This was not just the opening weekend for the Pats — it was a similar story for Saskatchewan-based junior teams throughout the Western Hockey League and in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League as well. Both leagues began their seasons Friday night.
On Friday the Pats were in Prince Albert facing the Raiders for their first game of the season. Even though the Raiders managed to tie the game in the third period, it was the Pats who scored the winner with a goal by Zackary Shantz at 4:13 of overtime delivering a 3–2 victory.
As for Saturday night's result, the Pats ended up losing to the Wheat Kings 5-1.
A goal by Easton Odut put Brandon up in the first period, followed by three consecutive goals for the hat trick for Nicholas Johnson including two on the power play. It was Tye Spencer who gave the Pats their first goal of the season on home ice midway through the third period before Nolan Flamand restored the four goal advantage for good.
