Pats hoping to extend playoff lives in Game 5, drag series back to Regina despite ‘unfortunate’ crowds

Fans at Brandt Centre for Game 4 of the WHL Playoffs against the Medicine Hat Tigers (Source: Keith Hershmiller/Regina Pats)

For the first time in the series, the Regina Pats are facing elimination against the Medicine Hat Tigers Saturday night in Game 5.

The work is cut out for Regina: win on the road in Medicine Hat or go home.

“We know what we’re up against. We don’t need a scoreboard to tell us what needs to happen next,” head coach Brad Herauf said following Game 4’s 4-2 loss. “This team has always played its best hockey when our backs play against the wall and I don’t expect anything else come Saturday.”

In the first four games to this point in the first round, the Tigers lead 3-1.

With the series returning to Co-Op Place, Regina has the confidence they can win on the road – doing so already in Game 2.

“We know what this group is capable of,” said Keets Fawcett. “We did it there in a packed barn and I think that we’re not scared to go there.”

A packed barn indeed is expected again.

Co-Op place averaged 5,070 fans through Games 1 and 2 last Friday and Saturday nights.

In contrast for Games 3 and 4, the Brandt Centre averaged 3,326 – albeit being mid-week games.

A win would extend the series to a Game 6 back in Regina Sunday evening.

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Pats’ captain Ephram McNutt did not want to call out the hometown crowd but added he noticed the difference in atmospheres between the two buildings.

“I don’t ever want to talk negatively about the fans but it’s unfortunate for sure,” he told reporters Wednesday. “It’d be a lot nicer if we had a full arena, and it’s kind of crazy to say, but it’s almost cooler playing in Med Hat at times. The crowd’s loud and they’re so much more into it.”

“It is unfortunate to see a half empty arena type of thing,” McNutt added.

Meanwhile, Medicine Hat is looking to end the series Saturday and get some much need rest before the start of round 2.

“It’s everything. We don’t want to come back [to Regina],” Tigers’ Andrew Basha told CTV News. “That’s the thing with playoffs, if you have a chance to finish it, you’ve got to do it. We don’t want to give their team any life because they’re a great team.”

Herauf said he personally has not been focused on the Brandt Centre crowds but is fully hoping to be back in front of the home fans Sunday.

“That is the plan,” he said. “We are going to be back here on Sunday. I know it’s Easter Sunday for some people, so cancel your plans because our plan is to be back here.”

Puck drop Saturday for Game 5 is 7 p.m. on Victory+.

If Game 6 is required, it is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Brandt Centre Sunday.