The Regina Pats defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-3 in overtime in Game 2 of the WHL championship series presented by Rogers at the Brandt Centre on Saturday night.
The series, tied 1-1, shifts to Kent for Games 3, 4 and 5 at the ShoWare Center. Game 3 is 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.
Josh Mahura scored the game-winning goal for Regina at 5:22 of overtime on the power play.
Regina took a 1-0 lead 50 seconds into the first period on an unassisted goal from Sam Steel.
Seattle outshot Regina 9-5 in the first period.
The T-Birds struck for three goals in 56 seconds early in the second period to take a 3-1 lead.
The T-Birds tied the game 1-1 at 3:56 of the first. Donovan Neuls passed the puck to Austin Strand at the left point. Strand took a wrist shot with Alexander True screening Regina goalie Tyler Brown. Strand’s shot hit a Regina defenseman and trickled into the goal.
The T-Birds struck again 12 seconds later on a Turner Ottenbreit slap shot. Mathew Barzal had the puck in the left corner and centered it to Ottenbreit at the mid-point. Ottenbreit one-timed the pass and beat Brown low on the glove side.
Seattle took a 3-1 lead at 4:52 of the second on a power-play goal from True. Ethan Bear passed the puck to Ryan Gropp in the right circle. Gropp one-timed the pass and Brown made the save. True swept the rebound past Brown at the post for his ninth goal of the playoffs.
Regina cut the lead to one goal on a power-play goal by Mahura at 18:35 of the second. Dawson Leedahl and Steel had the assists.
The T-Birds outshot the Pats 10-8 in the second and led 19-13 in shots after two periods.
The Pats tied the game 3-3 at 5:20 of the third period on Filip Ahl’s unassisted goal.
Regina outshot Seattle 11-10 in the third period. The T-Birds led 29-24 in shots after regulation.
Seattle goalie Carl Stankowski made 22 saves on 26 shots and his playoff record is now 13-3.
Brown had 27 saves on 30 shots and his playoff record is now 13-6.
SERIES GLANCE
WHL Championship
Regina vs. Seattle
Game 1 – Seattle 2, at Regina 1, OT
Game 2 – At Regina 4, Seattle 3, OT
Game 3 – Regina at Seattle, Tuesday, May 9, 7:05 p.m.
Game 4 – Regina at Seattle, Wednesday, May 10, 7:05 p.m.
Game 5 – Regina at Seattle, Friday, May 12, 7:35 p.m.
Game 6 – Seattle at Regina, Sunday, May 14, 5 p.m.*
Game 7 – Seattle at Regina, Monday, May 15, 6 p.m.*
*if necessary
TICKETS
Game 3 is a Directors Mortgage 2-for-Tuesday game that will feature two-for-one tickets in all price levels and $2 concession specials on hot dogs, popcorn and soda and two-for-one beer purchases.
Game 4 of the WHL Championship is a White Out Wednesday game on May 10. Wear your favorite white T-Birds jersey or T-shirt.
Single-game playoff tickets are on sale on the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday game days at noon.
SCORING SUMMARY
First period – 1, Regina, Steel 9, :50. Penalties – Wedman, Sea (interference), 2:31. Wedman, Sea (interference), 2:31. Kolesar, Sea (high-sticking), 13:22. Sloboshan, Reg (holding), 16:54.
Second period – 2, Seattle, Strand 5 (Neuls), 3:56. 3, Seattle, Ottenbreit 2 (Barzal), 4:12. 4, Seattle, True 9 (Gropp, Bear), 4:52. Penalties – Sloboshan, Reg (tripping), 4:28. Wagner, Reg (interference), 6:45. Eansor, Sea (tripping), 9:44. Strand, Sea (high-sticking), 11:27. Adams, Sea (interference), 16:29. Neuls, Sea (checking from behind), 18:00.
Third period – 6, Regina, Ahl 5, 5:20. Penalties – Kolesar, Sea (kneeing), 4:59.
Overtime – 7, Regina, Mahura 6 (Ahl, Leedahl), 5:22 (pp). Penalties – No penalties.
Shots on goal – Seattle 9-10-10-1 30, Regina 5-8-11-2 26. Goalies – Seattle, Stankowski 26 shots-22 saves (13-3); Regina, Brown 30-27 (13-6). Power plays – Seattle 1-3; Regina 2-7. A – 6,484. Referees – Steve Papp, Chris Crich. Linesmen – Chad Huseby, Cody Huseby.
