Thunderbirds fall to Pats in Game 3 | WHL finals

Regina takes 2-1 series lead

May 9, 2017 11:30 pm
The Thunderbirds’ Carl Stankowski makes a sensational save on a shot by the Pats’ Sam Steel during Game 3 WHL championship series action Tuesday night at the ShoWare Center. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/T-Birds

The Regina Pats defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 in Game 3 of the WHL championship series presented by Rogers at the ShoWare Center on Tuesday night.

The Pats lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at ShoWare.

The T-Birds were trailing 3-2 when Regina’s Sam Steel was awarded a penalty shot. Seattle goalie Carl Stankowski made the save on Steel and the 6,178 at ShoWare Center erupted in appreciation. The save energized the T-Birds for the rest of the third period.

Regina was called for a penalty with 1:37 left in the game and the T-Birds pulled Stankowski for a six-on-four advantage. The T-Birds had several chances but could not get the puck past Regina goalie Tyler Brown. Brown finished the game with 36 saves and his playoff record is now 14-6.

Regina took a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal by Connor Hobbs at 6:04 of the first period. Josh Mahura and Sam Steel the assists.

The T-Birds tied the game 1-1 at 7:18 of the first on power-play goal from Alexander True. Mathew Barzal controlled the puck in the right corner. Barzal made a saucer pass to True in front Brown, beating him on the stick side for his 10th goal of the playoffs.

The Pats took a 2-1 lead at 12:27 of the first on a power-play goal from Chase Harrison. Nick Henry had the only assist.

Seattle came right back and tied the game 2-2 at 14:48 on a goal from Sami Moilanen. True’s forecheck on the right boards in the Regina zone forced a turnover. True centered the puck to Tyler Adams in the high slot. Adams moved the puck to Moilanen cutting through the top of the crease. Moilanen deked Brown and slid the puck under the goalie.

Seattle outshot Regina 11-8 in the first period.

Regina went in front 3-2 at 4:49 of the second period on a goal from Robbie Holmes. Bryan Lockner and Wyatt Sloboshan had the assists.

The Pats outshot the T-Birds 9-8 in the second period and the T-Birds led 19-17 in shots after two periods.

Stankowski finished with 25 saves and his playoff record is now 13-4.

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 3, at Seattle 2

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

This TV (Channel 13.2 and on Comcast Cable Channel 357) is broadcasting the games.

TICKETS

Game 4 is a White Out Wednesday game. Wear your favorite white T-Birds jersey or T-shirt. Seahawks punter Jon Ryan, who is from Regina, Saskatchewan, will drop the ceremonial first puck.

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.

As part of a group ticket special for Games 4 and 5, fans can purchase 10 tickets at $22 each for $220 and receive two free tickets, along with $10 worth of free Chuck a Pucks.

For more information, call 253-239-PUCK (7825) or fill out a ticket information request and a member of the T-Birds staff will contact you. The group ticket special is not available on game day. They are advance purchase only.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Regina, Hobbs 6 (Mahura, Steel), 3:57 (pp). 2, Seattle, True 10 (Barzal, Bear), 7:18 (pp). 3, Regina, Harrison 1 (Henry), 12:27 (pp). 4, Seattle, Moilanen 5 (Adams, True), 14:48. Penalties – Barzal, Sea (hooking), 1:57. Hobbs, Reg (tripping), 6:04. Wedman, Sea (slashing), 18:25. Buziak, Reg (roughing), 18:25. Sloboshan, Reg (tripping), 9:02. Strand, Sea (slashing), 11:00.

Second period – 5, Regina, Holmes 3 (Lockner, Sloboshan), 4:49. Penalties – Kolesar, Sea (hooking), 1:59. Ahl, Reg (goaltender interference), 12:04.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – Wagner, Reg (cross checking), 18:23. Sloboshan, Reg (hooking), 19:24. Barzal, Sea (embellishment), 19:24.

Shots on goal – Seattle 11-8-19 38, Regina 8-9-11 28. Goalies – Seattle, Stankowski 28 shots-25 saves (13-4); Regina, Brown 38-36 (13-7). Power plays – Seattle 1-4; Regina 2-4. A – 6,178. Referees – Jeff Ingram, Reid Anderson. Linesmen – Nick Bilko, Mike Roberts.