Down 3-0 to the WHL-leading Winnipeg ICE 6:29 into the second period, Connor Bedard scored four goals and one assist to help the Regina Pats grab a 5-3 comeback win.
Bedard recorded his second four-goal game of the season and the third of his WHL career. He also recorded a five-point night for the seventh time of the season as the Pats defeated the ICE for the first time since 2019.
The consensus No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft scored Regina’s first of the game after he managed to be forgotten in front of the Winnipeg’s net. Bedard accepted Tanner Howe’s pass to break the ice for Regina.
Bedard then drove the puck from his own end all the way to the offensive zone. He left the puck for defenceman Stanislav Svozil who sent it straight back as Bedard tapped home his second of the night.
With just over one minute remaining in the second period, Bedard recorded a secondary assist as Svoril sent both teams to the locker room with a 3-3 tie.
Bedard completed the comeback with his hat-trick goal only 1:35 into the final frame. The 17-year-old toe-dragged his defender atop the right faceoff circle before beating the beating ICE goaltender Daniel Hauser with a swift wrister.
Bedard added a later empty-netter to cap off his five-point night.
BEDARD’S SEASON TOTALS: 46 GP, 58 G, 61 A, 119 Pts.
PATS’ RECORD: 30-24-3 (Sixth in the Eastern Conference)
UP NEXT: The Pats welcome the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday in Regina at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT.
