Evans nets winning goal as Pats edge visiting Rockets

Ryker Evans’ goal at 13:24 of the third period stood up as the winner Friday as the Regina Pats posted a 4-3 WHL victory over the Kelowna Rockets at the Brandt Centre.

After Kelowna’s Pavel Novak and Regina’s Caiden Daley traded goals in the first period, Zach Wytinck and Kyle Walker scored in the second frame for the Pats.

Matthew Wedman pulled the Rockets to within one goal at 11:45 of the third, but Evans restored Regina’s two-goal lead less than two minutes later. Kelowna’s Mark Liwiski completed the scoring at 15:29 of the final period.

Max Paddock made 36 saves in the Pats’ net, while Roman Basran stopped 28 shots for the Rockets (17-10-1-2).

Regina (8-18-3-0) is to complete the pre-Christmas portion of its schedule Sunday, when the Winnipeg Ice is to visit the Brandt Centre. Game time is set for 4 p.m.