Photo: Regina Pats
The Regina Pats 2023 postseason run is off to a good start, taking the first two games of their first round playoff series with the Saskatoon Blades. Both of the Pats wins have come on the road in Saskatoon.
Washington Capitals forward prospect Alexander Suzdalev is also off to a hot start in his first postseason on North American soil. Suzdalev recorded three assists for the Pats in Regina’s 6-5 overtime win on Sunday night.
Suzdalev’s last helper of the game was setup the game-winner in overtime. It came on the power play at 2:05 of the 15-minute extra frame.
Alexander Suzdalev with the nice backhand feed for the game 2 game-winner. Pats lead first round series 2-0. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/6stL9mBhTU
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) April 3, 2023
Suzdalev has four assists in the first two games of the Pats first round series with the Blades. Phenom Connor Bedard had a hat trick in Game 2 and has five goals and three assists in the first two games of the series.
Suzdalev led all WHL rookies in goals (38), assists (48), points (86), power play goals (17), and power play assists (19), and tied for first in points per-game (1.30) during the regular season. He is a lock for WHL Rookie of the year, which has yet to be announced.
The Regina Pats named Suzdalev their Nick Pappas Rookie of the Year on Monday. (More here)
Game 3 of the Pats-Blades first round series is set for Tuesday night in Regina.