The Regina Pat Canadians picked up a point Saturday night but came up just short of a second, falling 5-4 in overtime to the Battlefords Stars in a back-and-forth game in Regina.
The two teams will get right back at it Sunday afternoon, with the rematch set for 1:15 p.m.
Regina carried much of the play in the opening period, outshooting Battlefords 14-6. The Pat Canadians finally broke through with 5:01 remaining when Jagger Korol banged home a puck off the backboards following a shot from Logan Dosenberger. Carter Bleau also picked up an assist as Regina took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
The Stars responded quickly in the second, tying the game just 32 seconds into the period on a goal from Gage Cornish. Battlefords then took its first lead at 13:10 when Kacy Turberfield made it 2-1. The teams each fired 15 shots in the middle frame, but the Stars carried the one-goal advantage into the third.
The final 20 minutes featured a flurry of offence.
Regina came out flying, scoring twice in the opening 3:30 to turn the 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. Ryker Doka tied the game on the power play at 2:02, with Kai Lanigan and Nathan Gardiner drawing the assists.
Just 1:28 later, Nash Tomchuk scored his first SMAAAHL goal, finishing a play set up by Rylan Edwards and Gardiner to put the Pat Canadians ahead.
Battlefords answered with a pair of goals from Jaxon Brabant at 5:52 and 9:44 to regain the lead at 4-3.
With time running out, the Pat Canadians found an equalizer. Jett Donison ripped a shot over the short-side shoulder of Battlefords goaltender Cody Marciniuk with 2:35 remaining, tying the game 4-4 and sending it to overtime.
The extra period didn’t last long. At 1:11, Nash Coquet converted a pass from Aiden Harman to give Battlefords the 5-4 win.
Regina finished with a 39-33 advantage in shots, while Adam Muntain stopped 28 shots in the Pat Canadians’ net. Regina went 1-for-5 on the power play, while the penalty kill held Battlefords scoreless on four opportunities.
The overtime loss gives the Pat Canadians a point in the standings and sets the stage for a quick turnaround.
The Pat Canadians and Stars meet again today (Sunday) at 1:15 p.m. in Regina.
Game Summary
Battlefords 5 – Regina 4 (OT)
Regina goals: Jagger Korol, Ryker Doka, Nash Tomchuk, Jett Donison
Shots: Regina 39, Battlefords 33
Power play: Regina 1/5, Battlefords 0/4
Next game: Sunday vs. Battlefords – 1:15 p.m.
