The Regina Pat Canadians arrived at the Cooperators Centre on Saturday afternoon with one goal in mind: finish the job. By the time the final horn sounded, they had done far more than that. With a 5–2 victory in Game 5, the Pat Cs secured their second straight SMAAAHL championship and 12th league title in team history.
A Lightning Strike to Start
The tone was set before fans had even settled into their seats. Just 26 seconds into the opening frame, Maddox Schultz one-timed a perfect feed from Ethan Young, burying the game’s first goal and igniting the Regina fans and bench. Liam Pue also picked up an assist on the goal.
Minutes later, the Pat Cs doubled the lead. Kai Lanigan got a point shot through traffic that cleanly beat Warriors goaltender Steven Wawryk. Logan Doesenberger and Eli Heroux picked up the assists. The goal was Lanigan’s first of the postseason and it couldn’t have come at a better moment, and Regina had control.
Moose Jaw responded with pressure and had chances. A number of key stops by Adam Muntain kept the Warriors at bay. They did find the back of the net later in the period. With just under three minutes remaining, Riley Brown slipped one past Muntain, cutting the lead to 2–1.
A Massive Kill, Then a Massive Goal
The second period’s defining moment came with Regina down two men. The Warriors pressed hard, but the Pat Canadians’ penalty killers got the job done.
Moments later, Regina made Moose Jaw pay.
On a power play of their own, Ryker Doka took a feed from Young and ripped one upstairs to put Regina up 3–1 Regina – and in the driver’s seat headed to the 3rd. Pue picked up his 2nd assist of the game on the goal.
Martin’s Magic
Early in the third, Malaki Martin delivered the highlight of the night and perhaps of the entire playoff run.
Off a defensive-zone faceoff, Martin collected the puck, exploded past a Warriors defender at the blue line, and walked in on 2 on 1 with Hodgins. With a slick move and a quick shot, he beat Wawryk high short side for his 10th goal of the playoffs. It was a great moment from a player who has delivered them all season.
Regina led 4–1, and the championship was within reach.
Closing Time
Desperate, Moose Jaw pulled their goalie with five minutes remaining. The Pat Canadians didn’t blink. Mahlon Wiley sealed the deal with an empty-netter—his fourth of the postseason—stretching the lead to 5–1.
Moose Jaw added a late power-play goal, but it changed nothing. The Pat Canadians had already earned their crown.
Champions Again
When the final buzzer sounded, the celebration was as much about resilience as it was about victory. Regina’s penalty kill had been immense. Their goaltender was had been brilliant. And they delivered when it mattered most.
For the second straight year, the Regina Pat Canadians stood atop the SMAAAHL.
Next Stop: Regionals in Regina
The journey isn’t over.
Beginning Wednesday, the Pat Cs host the Western Regionals, where they’ll face:
- Thunder Bay Kings (Northwestern Ontario)
- Winnipeg Bruins (Manitoba)
- Moose Jaw Warriors (Saskatchewan representative)
- Regina Pat Canadians (Host)
The winner earns a berth in the Telus Cup, Canada’s national U18 AAA championship.
