Pats snap Wheat Kings shootout streak

The Brandon Wheat Kings fell in a shootout for the first time in nearly two years on Friday, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Regina Pats in Western Hockey League action at Brandt Centre.

Samuel Karsay scored twice for Regina (8-6-0-1), with Brandon (11-6-0-1) receiving its goals from Brady Turko and Kris Muissu in front of a crowd of 3,478.

The loss snapped Brandon’s six-game winning streak in shootouts, with its last shootout loss a 4-3 decision to the Moose Jaw Warriors on Jan. 31, 2025.

Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it was a tight-checking affair but his team has to find ways to create more chances.

“The biggest takeaway for me is trying to generate some more offence,” Murray said. “We have the personnel, it’s just we’re struggling a little bit to put the puck in the net. We had some looks and some chances and I was happy we came back and found a way. It was big to get a point but it would have been real nice to get two.

“We battled, we competed and (goalie) Ryley (Budd) gave us a chance.”

The Wheat Kings had to kill an early penalty and took six minutes to even get a shot on net.

The Pats opened the scoring when Karsay’s shot appeared to be deflected by a Wheat King stick and found its way through traffic eight minutes 34 seconds into the first period. That seemed to energize the Wheat Kings, who finally created some sustained offensive pressure for the first time.

Four minutes later, Brandon tied the game 27 seconds into its first power play when Joby Baumuller’s shot hit Brady Turko and the puck deflected past Regina goalie Taylor Tabashniuk. The goal also featured an assist by Easten Turko as the brothers combined on a scoring play for the first time in the WHL.

Regina restored the lead into the middle frame when Karsay was set up in the slot and fired his second goal of the night into the top corner.

Muissu tied it 2-2 with exactly four minutes remaining in the third period after Jaxon Jacobson intercepted a pass behind the net and sent it out front to Muissu, who deposited the puck behind Tabashniuk on the short side.

In overtime, Budd was oustanding, staring down three great chances.

Ellis Mieyette was sent in alone after a sensational pass down low by Keets Fawcett, and Budd initially moved to the short side to seal the post. When the forward continued across the crease, Budd slid back across the net with his left pad to steal a sure goal near the far post.

“That wasn’t real easy on the eyes watching how he defended that but he did a great job of sprawling to make a save,” Murray said. “He’s not the longest guy with his limbs but he used every inch of it there.”

After stopping Aiden Wagner on what was essentially a short breakaway off a two-on-one, Zachary Lansard broke in on a long breakaway off a turnover, but Budd stayed with him and forced the forward to shoot high.

The Pats then went to the power play with 51.4 seconds left but didn’t have any great chances.

During the shootout, Mieyette beat Budd with a quick shot in the opening spot.

After Brandon’s Chase Surkan and Regina’s Lansard were both stopped, Muissu made a slick move to score for the third time this season in a shootout. But after Fawcett scored with the first shot of the third round, Jacobson was denied and the Pats emerged with the victory.

“They have good shooters, as do we, and you knew it was going to go to the last shot,” Murray said. “They made a couple of pretty nice shots, and Moose (Muissu) he’s pretty crafty. We were one short. It’s disappointing not to get the two points but we did some good things as well.”

Budd made 27 saves for the Wheat Kings, with Tabashniuk stopping 25 shots for the Pats.

Brandon went 1-for-4 on the power play, with Regina unsuccessful in four chances.

ICINGS: Brandon skated without healthy scratches Friday Cole Hunter, F Hudson Landmark and D Cruz Jim, plus injured D Ilari Kapanen, D Josh McGregor and F Aiden Foster … Veteran Wheat Kings forward Gunnar Gleasman made his return to the lineup after battling an upper-body injury, and 15-year-old defenceman Marko Malbasa played his third game … The Pats were without young stars Liam Pue, Maddox Schultz and Logan Henry, who like Jim, are away at the U17 World Challenge … Jaxon Jacobson led the Wheat Kings with five shots on net … The game took two hours, 33 minutes to play … In the faceoff circle, Brandon won 30-29 … The Wheat Kings next see action when they host the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday at 6 p.m.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

 

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Pats 3, Wheat Kings 2 (SO)

First Period

1. Regina, Karsay 5 (Deschamps, Hamilton) 8:34.

2. Brandon, B. Turko 2 (Baumuller, E. Turko) 12:56.

Penalties — Young Bdn (kneeing) 2:04, Paull Reg (roughing) 12:29.

Second Period

3. Regina, Karsay 6 (Fawcett, Bear) 9:44.

Penalties — Hamilton Reg (cross checking) 12:51.

Third Period

4. Brandon, Muissu 12 (Jacobson, B. Turko) 16:00.

Penalties — Fawcett Reg (checking from behind) 0:44, Egan Bdn (holding) 5:30, Baumuller Bdn (high sticking) 10:47, Karsay Reg (interference) 11:54. Overtime

No Scoring.

Penalties — Jacobson Bdn (slashing) 4:08.

Shootout — Regina wins 2-1.

Brandon: Surkan miss, Muissu goal, Jacobson miss.

Regina: Mieyette goal, Lansard miss, Fawcett goal.

Shots on goal by

Brandon 8 10 7 2 — 27

Regina 10 9 7 3 — 29

Goal — Brandon: Budd (SOL, 4-0-0-1). Regina: Tabashniuk (SOW, 8-3-0-0).

Power plays (goals-chances) — Brandon: 1-4; Regina: 0-4.

Referees — Adam Forbes, Bob Millette. Linesmen — Kaden Fiacco, Brent Vandermeulen.

Attendance — 3,478 in Regina.