Regina Pats superstar Connor Bedard wasn’t ready for his junior hockey career to end on Saturday night, as he scored the game-winning goal and also picked up three assists in a 5-3 win over the visiting Saskatoon Blades in Game 6 of a WHL first-round playoff series.
Regina’s win before a sellout crowd of 6,499 forces a pivotal Game 7 between the Saskatchewan rivals in Saskatoon on Monday.
Bedard had the primary assist on the Pats’ first three goals of the game, including two from Alexander Suzdalev.
And then, with the game tied at 3-3 and his team’s season on the line, Bedard once again showed he’s not afraid of the big moment.
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Bedard took a long feed from defenceman Stanislav Svozil as the Blades were changing, then broke in alone on Blades goaltender Ethan Chadwick and wired one by him short side to put the Pats back on top.
The 17-year-old’s four points brought his playoff total to 19 points (11 G, 8 A) in six games. Only six of Regina’s 25 goals in the series have not featured a point by Bedard.
Bedard is projected to be the first overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft. He put on a show for the Pats faithful in what likely will be his final home game should Regina lose on Monday.
BEDARD’S PLAYOFF TOTALS: 6 GP, 11 G, 8 A, 19 Pts.
BEDARD’S REGULAR SEASON TOTALS: 57 GP, 71 G, 72 A, 143 Pts.
PATS’ RECORD: Regina and Saskatoon are tied 3-3 in the best-of-seven series.
UP NEXT: Game 7 is Monday at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CST in Saskatoon.
