Will Max factor into the Memorial Cup goalie equation?

If the Regina Pats can guard their net and a secret with comparable effectiveness, the upcoming Memorial Cup should be most prosperous for the local WHL team.

Pats head coach and general manager John Paddock is not prepared to divulge, at least for public consumption, whether veteran Ryan Kubic or rookie Max Paddock will start in goal Friday against the Hamilton Bulldogs.

When coach Paddock was asked Wednesday whether he could provide any insight as to who will tend goal for the host team in the opening game of the CHL’s championship tournament, the response was a succinct, “No. Not today.”

So what will, or should, they do on Friday? Max Paddock, a nephew of the head coach, provided the Pats with fine goaltending during his first full major-junior season. But he is not yet 18, while Kubic turned 20 in January.

Moreover, Kubic took part in all seven of the Pats’ playoff games after Paddock was injured in practice.

With Kubic in goal, Regina threw a serious scare into the Swift Current Broncos, who did not face a tougher test in the playoffs as they surged to the WHL title. Kubic was acquired from the Saskatoon Blades in January and promptly took over as the No. 1 goaltender. He performed rather well before injuries opened the door for Paddock, who seized the opportunity.

In 33 regular-season games, Paddock registered a 2.90 goalsagainst average and a .904 save percentage for a Pats team that elevated its game several notches after Christmas.

Kubic had a 3.06 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 12 regular-season games with Regina. He then had a 3.08 GAA and an .891 save percentage in the playoffs.

Given the points in favour of both goaltenders, the choice facing John Paddock is far from automatic. “Usually I say that the players make the decision for you just about 95 per cent of the time,’’ he said. “Sometimes you have a tough decision.”

Unless, of course, Friday’s starting goalie should falter — in which case the second-guessing will be widespread.

John Paddock’s situation is not dissimilar to the one countless Saskatchewan Roughriders head coaches have faced over the years.

The Pats faced a goaltending dilemma when they last played host to the Memorial Cup in 2001. After Regina lost its first two games, then-head coach Lorne Molleken had to decide whether to stick with Donald Choukalos or turn to his understudy, Chad Davidson.

Molleken opted for the latter netminder, who promptly backstopped Regina to two consecutive victories, one of which was by a shutout, and a semifinal berth.

Paddock — like Molleken, a top-flight WHL coach with an accompanying NHL pedigree — must now handle the goaltending situation with similar skill.

If the younger Paddock gets the call, the Memorial Cup opener will be his first post-season start.

For some teenagers, that would be a daunting proposition, but the unflappable Paddock has so far answered every challenge.

One suggestion is to start Paddock — knowing that if anything goes awry, a reliable veteran is ready, willing and more than able to save the day.