Pats lose big, fall 9-4 to Portland

The Regina Pats simply couldn’t find a way to stop the Portland Winterhawks offence, losing 9-4 Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Pats came into the game dealing with some injuries that have occurred over their last two games.

Defenceman Makai Mitchell suffered broken bones in his face during an altercation with Silvertips right-winger Dawson Butt. Butt was suspended 12 games by the WHL for his actions. Mitchell is expected to be out six-to-eight weeks. Regina won the contest 6-3 on Sunday.

During Saturday’s game, a 5-4 loss to the Tri-City Americans, defenceman Kyle Walker took a knee from Tri-City Americans forward Landon Roberts. He’s expected to be out three-to-four weeks.

On Monday, forward Drew Englot was diagnosed with appendicitis and had to undergo surgery. He’s expected to be out two-to-four weeks.

Portland got off to a hot start, with right-winger Robbie Fromm-Delorme scoring just 36 seconds into the game. That would be a sign of things to come for the Winterhawks who scored five total goals in the opening frame. The Winterhawks came into the game with the second-most points in the WHL and sat in first-place in the Western Conference.

In the win, Portland also got goals from defenceman Johnny Ludvig, forward Kishaun Gervais, two from left-winger Cross Hanas, left-winger Lane Gilliss, left-winger Gabe Klassen, centre Reece Newkirk and right-winger James Stefan.

Regina got on the scoreboard thanks to two goals from right-winger Carson Denomie, forward Jan Cikhart and right-winger Carter Chorney. With an assist apeice in the game, both left-winger Robbie Holmes and defenceman Zach Wytinck reached 100 career WHL points.

The Pats are in action against the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday.