Sam’s steal helps captain hit 300-point milestone

Steely determination enabled the Regina Pats’ captain to register his 300th WHL point.

Thanks to some diligent backchecking in the neutral zone, Sam Steel picked the pocket of Saskatoon Blades centre Josh Paterson during the second period of Wednesday’s WHL contest at the Brandt Centre. Upon creating the turnover, Steel passed the puck to teammate Josh Mahura, who in turn fed Jesse Gabrielle for the milestone-making goal.

“It was an effort play. Backchecking,” said Steel, 19, whose fourth season with the Pats will conclude when his team plays host to the 2018 Memorial Cup.

“It’s something I definitely want to do — lead by example and play the right way, whether it’s backchecking hard or making the simple play, or whatever.”

“That’s what (Steel) does, with that kind of work ethic and the intelligence about where to place the stick,” Pats head coach and general manager John Paddock said after his team’s 7-3 victory.

Steel’s linemate, Cameron Hebig, also reached a milestone Wednesday, notching his 200th WHL point with a two-goal, one-assist performance against his former team. He was acquired from Saskatoon on Jan. 10.

“Hebig’s a lot like (Steel),” Paddock said. “They’re hard guys to play against because they want the puck and they hound the other team to get the puck.”

Steel, meanwhile, recorded five assists on Wednesday.

The captain said he was happier about getting the victory, which gave Regina a 25-20-5-0 record.

“I’m not that huge into big personal milestones,” he said. “I’d much rather have a league championship or a Memorial Cup. It’s exciting, because I know we have a chance to do that later this season.”

Wednesday’s game was the fourth in which Steel has registered at least five points as a WHLer.

Last season, when Steel was named the league’s player of the year, he had one six-point game and two five-point outings.

With 303 points, Steel sits 17th on the Pats’ all-time list.

The Pats return to action Saturday at 2:30 p.m. against the host Swift Current Broncos (33-12-3-1). The teams will meet again Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Brandt Centre. SNAPSHOTS: Gabrielle has score d six times during a five-game goalscoring streak ... Mahura had a goal and three assists. He has 26 points in his last 14 games. During that span, he’s recorded a five-point game, two four-pointers and two three-pointers.