The Regina Pat Canadians are back-to-back league champions, having clinched the title once again. In a thrilling showdown at the Co-operators Arena, the Pat Canadians defeated the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors 5-2 in Game 5 of the Saskatchewan Male Under-18 AAA Hockey League final.
After jumping out to a 2-0 series lead, Regina stumbled with two consecutive losses, setting the stage for a decisive Game 5. Forward Maddox Schultz shared insights into the team's turnaround: "Our leadership group really stepped up in the dressing room and addressed some things. We came out flying in the first period."
Bouncing back from a tough 5-1 defeat in Game 4, Regina wasted no time in Game 5. Just 26 seconds in, Schultz capitalized on a perfect feed from Ethan Young, putting Regina up 1-0.
"A lot of anger came out of us in that first period," Schultz noted. "We united as a team."
The Pat Canadians showcased resilience, killing off a double minor penalty before Kai Lanigan extended the lead with his first playoff goal, making it 2-0. Goalie Adam Muntain then delivered a highlight-reel save, robbing Moose Jaw’s Ryan Gibbs with a sprawling glove effort that electrified the crowd.
Moose Jaw managed to cut the lead to 2-1 before the first period ended, courtesy of Riley Brown. But Regina's defense held strong, killing off a critical five-on-three power play in the second period. Ryker Doka then found the back of the net on a power play, pushing the lead to 3-1.
In the third period, Malaki Martin, the playoffs' top scorer with 16 points in 11 games, dazzled with a coast-to-coast effort, netting his 10th goal and making it 4-1. Regina maintained control despite a chippy period, with Mahlon Wiley sealing the victory with an empty-netter. Moose Jaw's Tyler Hudec added a late goal, but it was too little, too late.
This victory marks Regina’s 12th league title, following impressive sweeps of the Saskatoon Contacts and Estevan Bears in earlier rounds. With the league final behind them, Regina and Moose Jaw will soon clash again at the Telus Cup Western Regionals in Regina.
The stakes are high, as both teams aim for a spot in the national championship. Regina, the defending national champions, will face the Warriors, Winnipeg Bruins, and Thunder Bay Kings, with only one team advancing to nationals.