Healthy goaltender makes huge difference for improving Pats

The Regina Pats are playing their best hockey of the season and so is Max Paddock.

That’s not a coincidence.

The veteran netminder has been an obvious key to the recent improvement of the Pats, who’ve doubled their win total by compiling a 3-3-0 record over the past six games — all on the road.

Paddock has started four of them, going 2-2-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average, .938 save percentage and one shutout.

That showing has improved his overall numbers noticeably (3.52 GAA, .900 SP) — and boosted his confidence.

“It feels good finally being able to have some consistency in my game,” said Paddock, whose team visits the Winnipeg Ice on Friday. “These past (few) games everybody seems to have bought in. They’re helping me out, blocking shots and whatnot. I make the first save and the guys clear the puck away.”

Regina’s initial struggles this season — along with some bad luck for Paddock — contributed to his challenges in trying to find a rhythm.

After undergoing off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum, Paddock suffered an injury to his other shoulder just two weeks into the season, forcing him to miss four straight games.

He also sat out two contests because of a procedure to fix his recurring bloody-nose issue.

Since returning from the latest shoulder problem, Paddock has started 11 of Regina’s 13 games. That stretch has gone a long way toward answering questions about his durability — as well as his consistency.

“I’ve felt good all year about my game versus last year,” he noted. “Looking back, there was definitely a lot more times where I felt I could have played better whereas this year I feel good with my game. My body actually feels good.”

Ironically, Paddock played his best hockey down the stretch last season while dealing with shoulder pain.

That’s no longer an issue.

“My body is holding up well,” said the lanky six-foot-two, 167-pounder.

“Last year when shots went high blocker, it was painful to get it up there. This year I have full range of motion. I feel way more strength throughout my whole body.

“Even though I was recovering from my surgery in the summer, I was still able to work on the more important part of being a goalie — strengthening your hips and your core. I only put on about 10 pounds but I really strengthened myself. I haven’t had any issues with anything else.”

The Pats have been conscious of managing Paddock’s workload in practice — especially since the most recent shoulder injury — to help keep him fresh and healthy for games.

The results speak for themselves as of late.

“Man, he has been good — real good,” said Struch, who also has noticed an improvement in Paddock’s work ethic.

“We’ve seen him play this way before. It has just been more consistent with the way he has approached his game. It has given us an opportunity (to win) every night.”

Paddock’s biggest test came last week. He saw a lot of rubber over the past three games — an average of 45 shots per game — but kept his team close each time.

“If you’re in a rhythm, you want to see as many pucks as possible,” he said.

“If you aren’t hot off the start, it can go bad real quick. But if you’re feeling good about the game, it’s nice to see a lot of shots instead of standing around.

“It would be nice to crack down on some of the shots, but I won’t complain.”