ESTEVAN - For the second time in less than two years, the Regina Pats won a preseason game at Affinity Place in Estevan.
The Pats scored three times in 31 seconds in the first period and defeated the defending Western Hockey League champion Moose Jaw Warriors 7-4 Friday night. Cole Temple had two goals and two assists to pace the Pats' attack. Jaxswin Vaughan, Corbin Vaughan, Logan Peskett, Sam Oremba and Zane Rowan also scored for Regina.
Connor Schmidt, Max Finley, Owen Berge and Ethan Hughes had Moose Jaw's goals.
Pats' goalie Madden Mulawka allowed four goals on 32 shots. Dimitri Fortin made 29 saves for Moose Jaw.
The game was a homecoming of sorts for Pats' head coach Brad Herauf, who played for the Estevan Bruins from September 1999 to January 2002. He was named the Bruins' MVP for the 2000-01 season and became a fan favourite for both his offensive skill and his physical play, including his fighting abilities.
"I love coming back here. I have so many friends from this place. So many fond memories with people around town, and just doing different things in different spots. When I was driving in, even driving past the Beefeater, there are lots of good memories of that place."
Despite his coaching commitments Friday, he was able to reconnect with friends and fans in Estevan before the game. He noted he visited with some of the participants from Estevan Diversified Services, and they still remember the years he played in Estevan and the players on those teams.
"That's the kind of fans they've always been here, the whole time. They've always been real supporters of the Bears, the Bruins and any player that ever played here."
While he misses the old Civic Auditorium, which was the Bruins' home until 2011, he said it's a real treat to be in the 13-year-old Affinity Place.
Herauf has been back to Estevan many times over the years. His son Levi played with the Estevan U18 AAA Bears in the 2021-22 season. And Herauf was an assistant coach with the Pats when the team came to Estevan for a preseason game in September 2022; they defeated the Swift Current Broncos 4-2 that night.
But this marked the first time Herauf has been here with the Pats as their head coach. He was promoted to the role in July 2023. He noted that he saw a lot of good attributes in coaches he had in Estevan. Nick Sereggela, who was the Bruins' head coach and GM during Herauf's time with the Bruins, taught Herauf that these are teenagers who will make mistakes, so patience is needed.
"They're going to grow up and they're going to surprise you when they get older," said Herauf.
Last season the Pats missed the playoffs; Herauf noted they struggled down the stretch after making some changes. He hopes they can be better this coming season.
