Another big crowd, another big goal for Connor Bedard.
The Regina Pats star, who has been packing Western Hockey League arenas all year, scored his 70th goal of the season and added an assist as his team beat the host Saskatoon Blades 4-2 before a franchise record crowd of 14,768 on Sunday.
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Bedard put the Pats up 4-1 late in the third on a one-timer for a milestone goal, becoming the first WHL player to reach 70 since Jayden Halbgewachs of the Moose Jaw Warriors did so in 2017-2018.
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Bedard’s assist on the game’s opening goal by Alexander Suzdalev gave him 140 points — the first time that’s happened in the WHL since 1995-96.
It marked the fourth multi-point game in a row for the 17-year-old Bedard, who had consecutive hat tricks the past two nights. He is considered the surefire No. 1 overall pick for this year’s NHL Draft.
It also was a statement win for the Pats, who are likely to face the Blades again in the first round of the playoffs after the season concludes next weekend. Regina clinched its first playoff spot since 2018 on Saturday.
The game had a big-event feel with the Blades running a special shuttle-bus service to try to ease traffic congestion.
Pats goalie Kelton Pyne was the first star as his team was outshot 44-22.
BEDARD’S SEASON TOTALS: 55 GP, 70 G, 71 A, 141 Pts.
PATS’ RECORD: 34-28-4 (Sixth in the Eastern Conference)
UP NEXT: The Pats return to Saskatoon on Friday at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT for their penultimate game of the regular season.
