Leschyshyn glad to be back in Cup hunt after 2017 injury
Jake Leschyshyn is in a different position.
Instead of being part of the crowd, as he was throughout the 2017 WHL playoffs, the Regina Pats forward is a key member of his team in the post-season.
A torn anterior cruciate ligament, suffered Feb. 3 of last year, proved to be a season-ending injury. As a result, it was a bittersweet spring for Leschyshyn as he watched the Pats win the Eastern Conference title and advance to the league final.
“I was in the stands last year,” Leschyshyn said. “It was fun to be a part of the atmosphere, but it really sucked not to be out there helping the guys. This year is a lot of fun.”
Leschyshyn and the Pats are opposing the Swift Current Broncos in an Eastern Conference quarterfinal. The best-of-seven series was tied 2-2 heading into Friday ’s game in Swift Current. Game 6 is slated for Saturday, 7 p.m., at the Brandt Centre.
A sixth game became a certainty when Leschyshyn scored his second goal of the game — an emptynetter — to seal the outcome on Wednesday, when Regina won 6-3 to knot the series.
Although the two-goal outing was sweet, just being part of the post-season is a treat for the 19-year-old son of former NHL defenceman Curtis Leschyshyn.
“I’m enjoying every minute of it,” the third-year forward said. “Playoff hockey is when I think I play some of my best hockey. I’m really looking forward to the rest of it.”
Leschyshyn required surgery to repair the injured knee, but the Vegas Golden Knights were undeterred. They selected him in the second round, 62nd overall, of the 2017 NHL draft.
He proceeded to register 18 goals and 22 assists in 64 regular-season games. After four post-season contests this year, he had two goals and one assist.
Coverage of Friday’s Pats/Broncos game appears on leaderpost. com