Pats bounce back with OT win over Raiders

Follows Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Warriors

Dawson Leedahl was the hero for the Regina Pats on Monday.

Leedahl scored his second goal of the game — at 2:31 of overtime — to give Regina a 3-2 WHL victory over the Prince Albert Raiders at the Art Hauser Centre.

Regina had lost its previous two games, and three of its past four, before improving its league-best record to 42-9-6-1.

Josh Mahura had the other goal for Regina. Sean Montgomery and Tim Vanstone replied for Prince Albert (16-39-4-2), which was outshot 44-29.

Regina’s Sam Steel had two assists to emerge with a WHL-best 105 points. Both goaltenders — Prince Albert’s Ian Scott and Regina’s Jordan Hollett — had strong games.

On Saturday, the Pats were shut out for the first time this season — losing 4-0 to the host Moose Jaw Warriors.

“It’s really sweet coming against Regina,” Warriors goalie Zach Sawchenko told Randy Palmer of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald when asked about the 37-save shutout.

“They’re an exceptional team and they play really well and (blanking the Pats is) a credit to our team.

“A shutout is never just a goalie. It’s a team shutout, and our team played phenomenal tonight and we got some lucky bounces here and there. But that’s just the way the game goes.”

Moose Jaw evened the season series against Regina at three victories apiece, getting goals from Josh Brook, Jayden Halbgewachs (with his league-leading 44th), Brett Howden (with an emptynetter) and Branden Klatt.

Late in the game, Regina’s Connor Hobbs flattened Howden and was assessed a major penalty for charging, plus a game misconduct. He sat out Monday’s game due to a league-imposed suspension.

The Pats are to return to action Wednesday, 7:05 p.m., against the Saskatoon Blades to conclude a five-game road swing.

Regina will then meet the Swift Current Broncos on Friday, 7 p.m., to begin a five-game home stand.