The Regina Pats are on the brink of a playoff berth, and the excitement is palpable. Bridgeman, a veteran at just 19, is eager for the postseason spotlight.
"I played one playoff game when I was 16," he recalls. "It was an experience, but that doesn’t count.
We’re motivated to secure our spot and gain the exposure and development we need as a team. Making the playoffs will be huge for us."
Saturday's game was a nail-biter, with homegrown goalie Taylor Tabashniuk delivering an astounding 52-save performance against the formidable Prince Albert Raiders. Despite the Pats' valiant effort, they fell 2-1 in a shootout, yet they edged closer to clinching a playoff spot.
Sunday's matchup against the Moose Jaw Warriors was another opportunity for the Pats to lock in their postseason dreams. A win would have eliminated Moose Jaw from contention, but the Warriors triumphed 5-2. Now, the Pats have crucial games ahead: Tuesday in Prince Albert, Friday against the Brandon Wheat Kings, and a rematch Saturday in Brandon to wrap up the regular season.
Currently sitting seventh in the East with a 25-31-7-2 record, the Pats are just ahead of the eighth-place Red Deer Rebels. At the top of the standings, Prince Albert and Medicine Hat are neck and neck.
Pats head coach Brad Herauf emphasizes the importance of focusing on their own game. "We’re not worried about who we play or what other teams are doing," he says.
"With our young group, concentrating on ourselves has been beneficial. If we perform to our capabilities, things should work out."
In Saturday's clash, the Pats led 1-0 thanks to Zach Lansard's late goal, but P.A.'s Max Heise equalized with just 51 seconds left. After overtime, P.A. dominated the shot count 53-17 and clinched the shootout 2-0.
The Pats are hopeful for a full roster come playoffs. Herauf acknowledges the challenges: "We’ve got guys running on fumes and some in concussion protocol.
You never know how that’s gonna go. But for the fans, it’s a glimpse into our promising future."
Saturday saw the Pats missing key players like defenders Jonas Kohn and Dayton Deschamps, and forwards such as Keets Fawcett and Liam Pue. They brought in 15-year-old prospects Owen Sejna and Cruz Nicolay for the game. Most of the regulars returned for Sunday’s battle, keeping the Pats' playoff hopes alive.