Kieper Stands Tall, Making 51 Saves in 3-1 Win at Brandon

October 5, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Regina Pats News Release

Brandon, Man. – In one of the best goaltending performances in recent memory for the club, Matthew Kieper made 51 saves as the Regina Pats skated to a 3-1 win over the hometown Brandon Wheat Kings at Westoba Place.

After trailing early in the game, the Pats scored three unanswered goals with Alexander Suzdalev leading the way with a pair of markers. Tanner Howe added a single for the Pats in the win.

Ben Thornton opened the scoring for the Wheat Kings before the Pats took over on the scoreboard. Carson Bjarnason stopped 24 shots in a losing cause for the Wheat Kings.

THE GOALS

First Period

BDN 0-1 at 5:09 – Ben Thornton (1), assisted by Logen Hammett and Nate Danielson // A point shot was shot wide of the Pats net bounced off the back boards, and caromed to the opposite side of Matthew Kieper where Thornton had a wide open cage and buried it to make it 1-0 Brandon.

REG 1-1 at 17:45 – Alexander Suzdalev (2), assisted by Connor Bedard (PP) // With the Pats on the powerplay, they carried control of the puck in the Brandon zone, and with the Wheat Kings forcing the play, the Pats managed to keep it in the zone. The puck ended up on Bedard’s stick who feathered a beautiful sauce pass cross ice to Suzdalev who one-timed it home to tie the game at 1-1.

Second Period

REG 2-1 at 45 seconds – Tanner Howe (3), assisted by Connor Bedard and Borya Valis // The Pats forced a turnover in the Wheat Kings zone to the left of Bjarnason where Valis sent a pass across the crease to Bedard who got the puck to Howe where he ripped home his third of the season to give the Pats a 2-1 lead.

Third Period

REG 3-1 at 14:15 – Alexander Suzdalev (3), assisted by Matteo Michels and Parker Berge // With Michels leading the rush down the right wing, Michels fired a low shot that Bjarnason kicked out to Suzdalev who fired home his second of the game to give the Pats a 3-1 lead.

STATISTICS

SOG: REG – 12-5-10-27 | BDN – 17-14-21-52 PP: REG – 1/1 | BDN – 0/4

Face-Offs: REG – 22 | BDN – 44

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Regina: Matthew Kieper (52 shots/51 saves)

Calgary: Carson Bjarnason (27 shots/24 saves)

3 STARS

First: Matthew Kieper (51 saves) – Regina Pats Second: Alexander Suzdalev (2G) – Regina Pats

Third: Carson Bjarnason (24 saves) – Brandon Wheat Kings

NOTES

* After being acquired from the Seattle Thunderbirds on Tuesday, Sam Oremba made his regular-season debut for the Pats, making him the 1,412th player in Pats’ franchise history. * Matthew Kieper’s 51 saves on 52 shots are the post by a Pats goaltender since Max Paddock made 51 saves on 55 shots in a 5-3 loss to Prince Albert on January 1st, 2019. * For the first time in the season, the Pats were perfect on the penalty kill, killing all four penalties. * The Pats have scored a powerplay marker in four straight contests. * Connor Bedard extended his point streak to five games (5G-6A).

UP NEXT

The Pats’ next home action is Friday, October 7, when they host the Winnipeg ICE. The Pats then face the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday, October 8 in the second of three-straight home contests. The Queen City Kids will then wrap up the homestand on Wednesday, October 12 against the Prince Albert Raiders. All three contests are 7:00 PM puck-drops.

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