Pats defeat Raiders 2-1 in OT to open up 2020 in win column

There weren’t many offensive fireworks at the Brandt Centre on New Year’s Day but that Regina Pats were the ones celebrating after a 2-1 overtime win against the Prince Albert Raiders.

Each team’s goaltenders made great saves in the showdown and Pats goaltender Max Paddock dealt with a barrage of 13 shots in the third period after only facing 17 the previous two.

But after Paddock stood tall to get the game to overtime, left-winger Robbie Holmes found the back of the net in the extra frame, sliding a backhand shot past Raiders goaltender Boston Bilous. Holmes was streaking for the net when he received the pass from forward Riley Krane.

“We were trying to work on (that play) in practice and it payed off for us and that’s a huge win,” Holmes said following the team’s third win in four games back from the Christmas break. “We’re trying to catch all these teams that are ahead of us and taking down one of the top teams in the eastern conference is huge for us.”

While the Pats have been enjoying some success to end 2019 and now in 2020, the Raiders are looking to find a way back into the win column – the team has dropped six straight games.

Krane added a goal of his own in the second period to help be the driving offensive force in the low-scoring affair. He was also playing in his 100th career WHL game.

“We’re feeling good,” Krane said. “We’re feeling like we have a good hockey club here so we’re just trying to continue this roll and fight for a playoff spot here.”

The Raiders’ only goal was scored by right-winger Ozzy Wiesblatt

Part of the Pats’ recent success has been due to the effectiveness of their penalty-kill unit. Since coming back from the Christmas Break on Dec. 27, the Pats have killed off all 22 penalties the team has taken.

Paddock said he’s been able to see everything in front of him when the team is down a player.

“The guys are doing a good job of boxing out, blocking shots — that kind of thing – and getting the puck down (when the opponent shoots),” Paddock said. “Guys are just bearing down, especially to block shots. That’s the biggest part probably.”

Paddock has been one of the main reasons for the Pats recent run of success, going 7-4-1-1 in his last 13 starts that includes two shutout performances.

Paddock was forced to miss a portion at the start of the season due to suffering a shoulder injury just two weeks into the season. He also missed a couple of games for a procedure to help his a recurring bloody nose issue.

“It was a tough, kind of weird go at the start of the year but I thought I kind of turned a page here in November and started playing better,” Paddock said. “As a team we started playing better as well and it showed.”

Head coach Dave Struch said the play of Paddock has been big for them, especially with their penalty-kill.

“Your goaltender is always going to be your best penalty killer. Our guys are blocking shots and when teams pre-scout us now, they talk about our guys getting in the lane which forces them to have to get the puck along the outside, which forces mistakes,” Struch said.

Struch said Paddock had to battle because of how high-skilled the Raiders are on the ice.

“He worked hard to make saves and those are things that goalies have to do,” Struch said. “We talk about our identity of being a high-energy, fast, hardworking team and your goalie is a part of that. Our players are seeing that, we’re feeding off it and we’re taking steps.”

The Pats will be in action next on on Friday on the road against the Swift Current Broncos.