One dollar and 91 cents. That’s what a ticket cost last time the Regina Pats were this hot.
In 1965 the Pats started their season by going 18 games without recording a single regulation loss. This record has remained in place for the past 50 years, as no Pats team has come close to beating the legendary starting streak.
Until now that is.
On Nov. 13, the Regina Pats continued to build on their 10 game winning streak with a decisive victory over the visiting Red Deer Rebels, beating them 8-4. This victory placed the Pats at 17 consecutive games without a regulation loss to open the season (14-0-3), only one game short of the 1965 franchise record (14-0-4).
The Pats owe much of this season’s early success to their ability to find the back of the net, scoring as many as 10 goals in a single game. The Pats currently have two of the top three scorers in the league, Sam Steele and Philip Ahl. The team averages nearly six goals per game, and has outscored their opponents 100 to 55 over the course of the season.
The Pat’s high intensity, high scoring type of play has gathered a lot of attention from their fans, as they’ve enjoyed record high attendance numbers so far this season.
“I’ve been a fan ever since I was a child, and I’ve never seen them play like this,” said lifetime fan Rhett McWilliams. “This is a team that really knows how to score, and I think that in itself is what makes them so exciting to watch.”
“There’s no substitute for hard work,” said Pats Equipment Manager Gord Cochran. “Our guys have really been putting in the time and what you're seeing are the results of their work.”
On Nov. 15, the club leaves on a six game road trip to pay a visit to their western rivals. The Pats are currently undefeated on the road at 5-0-0.
Presently, the Pats sit atop the WHL East Division with 31 points. Overall the Pats sit second in the WHL, one point back of the league leading Prince George Cougars, but with four games in hand.
