Pats’ veterans thrive as first-time linemates
Jake Leschyshyn and Nick Henry have been teammates for three seasons with the Regina Pats, but they’ve only been linemates for six weeks. That’s why it took some time to develop the on-ice chemistry that has developed as of late, highlighted by their performance in Saturday ’s 6-5 win over the Saskatoon Blades.
“Every game we’re getting more and more comfortable with each other,” said Leschyshyn, who matched Henry ’s output Saturday with two goals and one assist. “We honestly didn’t play at all together (in the past). It’s about developing that chemistry, and I think it’s showing now.”
Leschyshyn and Henry did what top players are supposed to do on Saturday: They took over at crunch time.
Down 5-4 in the third period, Henry made a nice play to set up Leschyshyn, who went hard to the net and punched in the tying goal. It was Henry ’s turn during a subsequent power play when he stepped in from the point and buried a slap shot for the eventual game winner with 4:12 remaining.
That marker came after he scored a highlight-reel goal in the first period to put Regina on the board.
“He’s a skilled player for sure,” Leschyshyn said. “If you give him some space he’s going to capitalize on it. We saw that (Saturday).”
Henry’s big night helped him climb into the league’s top 10 in scoring with eight goals and 24 points in 17 games. He has at least a point in all but three contests this season and is currently riding a seven-game streak (six goals, six assists).
It’s hard to believe that he was a little snake-bitten early in the campaign, scoring no goals in his first five games.
“Being a shooter, you have to build your confidence,” he explained. “You have to get one to go in and you just build off that. I’m getting a lot of good looks playing with some really good players right now. Our line has been unbelievable. We can’t ask for anything more.”
Leschyshyn has done his part by scoring a team-high nine goals along with 20 points in 16 games. He has been at his best lately, notching four goals and five assists during an active five-game points streak.
“The last couple of years Jake has done a heck of a job in the role he was put in (as more of a defensive specialist),” Henry noted. “This is a little bit of an adjustment for both of us. We’re put in that big spot and we have to produce.
“We’ve built on it from Game 1 and we’ve been together ever since. That helps coming to the rink every single day when you’re on the same line with the same guys. You know where each other are going to be. We’re really clicking. It’s a lot of fun out there right now for our line.”
Austin Pratt joined the unit on Oct. 5 after being limited to one assist in his first four games. Since then, he has eight goals and 14 points in 13 games, adding a complementary threat to the club’s top line.
“When you have a few games under your belt together, you really form some consistency,” added Leschyshyn. “In practice we’ve been really working hard to get things clicking together. That’s why we’re becoming more successful as a line.”