The opening game of the 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup got off to a thrilling start, with the host team scoring a last-minute goal off the stick of Nick Henry to get their first win since March 31.
Henry, a Colorado Avalanche fourth-round pick, recorded two points and buried a rebound opportunity with 32.6 seconds left in regulation to give the Regina Pats a tournament-opening 3-2 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs. It was the Pats’ first game since they were knocked out of the WHL Playoffs on April 2.
The OHL champion Bulldogs started strong when playoff MVP Robert Thomas scored less than eight minutes into the first period. It was a lead the Bulldogs would hold heading into the intermission.
But just 19 seconds into the next frame, Anaheim Ducks first-rounder and Team Canada sniper Sam Steel found the back of the net, the first of two points for him on the night. The two teams traded a couple more chances with goals from Marian Studenic and Josh Mahura before the end of the second and played in a 2-2 tie through most of the third.
Both goalies battled hard and kept the game tight as the Pats and Bulldogs challenged each other throughout the game. Hamilton’s Kaden Fulcher was excellent in stopping 27 of 30 shots, but was bested by Regina’s Max Paddock, who turned away 31 of 33. The 17-year-old Paddock is NHL draft eligible and the third-ranked North American goalie by Central Scouting.
The Pats move ahead in the round robin with a 1-0 record and get a day off before playing QMJHL champion Acadie-Bathurst Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs, fresh off a hard-fought OHL final series against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, fall to 0-1 and get a two-day break before meeting WHL Champion Swift Current on Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
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