While it might have been a case of too little, too late for the Saskatoon Blades, Wednesday’s 3-2 setback in Regina to the Pats may have been an offensive tonic for a key member of the Bridge City Bunch,

Regina opened a 3-0 lead in the early stages of the third period, scoring once in each frame, before the Blue and Gold bounced back. Leading goal-scorer and point-getter Kyle Crnkovic notched his 36th goal of the season, ending a 10-game goal-less drought while the Blades halted a team goal-less streak at 128:15. Egor Sidorov also scored, while goaltender Nolan Maier was on the bench for an extra attacker, setting up some late dramatics, only to have the Pats hold on and snip a four-game losing string. However, Saskatoon went 0-for-3 on the power play and are now goal-less in their last 22 man advantage opportunities over the last six-plus games. It was the Blades’ first game since learning earlier in the day that captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere will be sidelined for the remainder of the season as he will undergo shoulder surgery. The 24-31-5 Pats kept their playoff hopes alive, sitting five points back of the eighth and final playoff spot, although Regina does have to pass three teams to get there. For Saskatoon, their record dropped to 34-24-4, still three points back of Moose Jaw for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, a standings spot that brings home-ice advantage in a first round playoff series. The Blades also remain seven points ahead of sixth place Brandon after the Wheat Kings lost 2-1 in Prince Albert. Following is the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L plus Les Lazaruk’s post-game interview with head coach Brennan Sonne…..

Saskatoon Blades 2 at Regina Pats 3 – Status: Final
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 – Brandt Centre – Regina, SK

Saskatoon 0 0 2 – 2
Regina 1 1 1 – 3

1st Period-1, Regina, Valis 9 (Nijhoff, Dubinsky), 12:45. Penalties-Shugrue Sas (roughing), 5:12; Bedard Reg (roughing), 5:12; Howe Reg (inter. on goaltender), 17:24.

2nd Period-2, Regina, Linklater 1 (Bedard, Howe), 6:26. Penalties-Watterodt Sas (tripping), 13:03; Berge Reg (tripping), 17:48.

3rd Period-3, Regina, Evans 14 (Dubinsky, Nijhoff), 1:31 (PP). 4, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 36   11:26. 5, Saskatoon, Sidorov 19 (Robins, Molendyk), 17:54. Penalties-Lisowsky Sas (tripping), 0:14; served by Valis Reg (too many men), 15:04; Lisowsky Sas (high sticking), 19:57; Sidorov Sas (major-fighting), 19:57; Evans Reg (major-fighting), 19:57; Nijhoff Reg (roughing), 19:57.

Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 10-3-10-23. Regina 9-11-9-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 2; Regina 1 / 2.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 27-21-3-1 (29 shots-26 saves). Regina, Sim 6-15-1-2 (23 shots-21 saves).
A-3,713
Referees-Adam Bloski (16), Karlin Krieger (27).
Linesmen-Lucas Nagel (170), Brent Vandermeulen (100).