STEINBACH, Man. – The Regina Pat Canadians used a potent power play and made the Thunder Bay major midget Kings pay for some undisciplined play as they rolled to a one-sided 7-2 victory Saturday afternoon in round robin action at the 2017 TELUS Cup West Regional in Steinbach, Man.
Despite the result, these same two teams will meet again Sunday in the West Regional final at 3 p.m. ET with the winner moving on to the TELUS Cup Canadian National Midget Championship, April 24-30, in Prince George, B.C.
Regina’s leading scorer, Preston Brodziak, opened the scoring in the first period, but Thunder Bay came right back with Garrett Gammond notching the equalizer.
Heading to the power play later in the frame, the Pat Canadians needed just 20 seconds into it to go back in front on a Tyler Lees man advantage effort.
Regina added another early as their big line connected again with Brodziak feeding Lukas Sillinger, who beat Kings’ netminder Seth McKay.
A Carson Denomie unassisted goal extended the cushion for the Saskatchewan AAA midget title holders as they took a 4-1 into the third.
Thunder Bay came out strong to begin the final frame with Evan Nicholas splitting the Pat Canadians defence and firing one blocker side past Dean McNab, who replaced Nathan Moore midway through the contest.
However Regina countered with three later tallies, including two more during man advantage opportunities, to round out the scoring.
Moore picked for the Pat Canadians while McKay suffered the loss for Thunder Bay.
TELUS CUP West Regional
Schedule/Results
At the T.G. Smith Centre
Steinbach, Man.
Thursday, March 30
Regina 2 Winnipeg 1
Thunder Bay 5 Eastman 1
Friday, March 31
Thunder Bay 3 Winnipeg 0
Regina 4 Eastman 1
Saturday, April 1
Regina 7 Thunder Bay 2
Winnipeg vs. Eastman 4:45 p.m.
Sunday, April 2
Thunder Bay vs. Regina 3 p.m.
Winner advances to TELUS Cup Canadian National Midget Championship, April 24-30, in Prince George, B.C.
