Regina Pat Canadians Triumph Over Moose Jaw Warriors to Secure Telus Cup Berth
The Regina Pat Canadians have taken a significant step toward making hockey history by defeating their archrivals, the Moose Jaw Warriors, with a decisive 5-1 victory in the west regional final. This win, achieved on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the packed Co-Operators Centre, grants the team a coveted spot in the six-team Telus Cup tournament scheduled for April 20-26 in Peterborough, Ontario.
Defending Champions Eye Back-to-Back Titles
Throughout the season, the Pat Canadians have openly discussed their ambition to win consecutive Telus Cups, a feat that would establish their franchise as the most successful in Canadian under-18 male hockey history. "It's been on our mind since the start of the year," remarked goalie Adam Muntain, whose 29 saves were instrumental in the victory. "We talked about it, but we never really imagined it to happen. Now we've got a chance to do it."
Head coach Ryan Hodgins expressed confidence in his team's resilience, stating, "I wasn't surprised. That's what these guys do. They just respond, and all of it's a grind. We always talk about embracing the grind because the team that embraces the grind is gonna come out on top. And these are character kids."
Key Performances Drive Victory
Maddox Schultz, a forward for the Pat Canadians, emphasized the importance of a strong start against Moose Jaw and delivered by scoring just 15 seconds into the game. He added a power-play goal late in the second period, extending Regina's lead to 3-1 heading into the final period. "I got a beautiful pass from Ryker Doka, I kinda got loose and ended up burying it," Schultz said. "Our start was crucial."
Additional goals came from Brady Vipond, Mahlon Wiley, and Liam Pue, who scored into an empty net. Moose Jaw's lone goal was a power-play effort by Jamie Kirwan early in the second period, briefly narrowing the gap to 2-1.
Historic Rivalry and Tournament Outlook
This season, Regina and Moose Jaw faced off 11 times, splitting their four regular-season games before the Pat Canadians clinched the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League championship series 3-2. In the west regional tournament, Moose Jaw had previously defeated Regina 6-2 in a round-robin game on Friday, making Sunday's victory particularly sweet for the defending champions.
Schultz, who scored the championship-winning goal in overtime during the 2025 Telus Cup final against the Chevaliers de Levis and was named that tournament's top player, highlighted the competitive nature of the upcoming event. "Everyone at the Telus Cup is unbelievable," he noted. "We know what to expect. We've gotta expect everyone to be similar to Moose Jaw, similar competition, so we've gotta bring our best and hopefully we'll get it done."
The Pat Canadians' journey continues as they prepare for the Telus Cup, aiming to secure their sixth trophy and cement their legacy in Canadian hockey. With a blend of seasoned players and rising stars, the team is poised to face the challenges ahead with determination and skill.
