The host team has guaranteed themselves a fourth game in the 100th Memorial Cup after the Regina Pats won the opener 3-2 Friday night over the Ontario League-champion Hamilton Bulldogs.
Nick Henry scored the winning goal with just 32 seconds left in the third period and freshman Max Paddock stopped 31 shots in a stellar and poised effort in goal for the Queen City Kids.
“I guess, considering the stage, and the importance of (the game), I’m not sure but, yeah, he was obviously very good,” said Regina G-M and head coach John Paddock about his nephew Max Paddock’s performance.
Captain Sam Steel and Josh Mahura also tallied for the Pats, playing in their first game since April 2 when they were eliminated from the W-H-L playoffs. Robert Thomas and Marian Studenic replied for Hamilton, who out-shot Regina 33-31.
Coming up Saturday afternoon, the W-H-L and Quebec League champions collide in their first game of the C-H-L tournament as the Swift Current Broncos take on the Acadie-Bathurst Titans.
