Projected No. 1 pick Bedard scores four goals in Pats win over Hitmen

REGINA — The Regina Pats welcomed Connor Bedard home from the world junior hockey championship on Sunday, and the MVP for Team Canada responded by scoring four goals and adding two assists as the Pats defeated the Calgary Hitmen 6-2 in Western Hockey League action.

Bedard, a key figure in Canada's gold-medal victory in Halifax and Moncton, is expected to be the top pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Tanner Howe and Alexander Suzdalev also scored for the Pats (19-19-1-1), who were outshot 44-27.

Carson Wetsch and Jacob Wright scored for the Hitmen (21-12-3-1).

---

ICE 6 WINTERHAWKS 3

WINNIPEG, Man. — Zach Benson scored three times and added an assist as the Winnipeg ICE dumped the visiting Portland Winterhawks 6-3.

Matthew Savoie had two goals and two assists for the winners, while Carson Lambos also scored for the Eastern Conference-leading ICE (29-5-0-0). Ty Nash chipped in with two assists.

Ryan McCleary, Robbie Fromm-Delorme and Marcus Nguyen scored for the Winterhawks (26-6-2-1-), who trailed 2-0 after the first period and 5-1 heading into the third. Dawson Pasternak chipped in with two assists for Portland, who outshot the ICE 41-31.

---

MAJOR DEAL

The Winnipeg ICE have acquired forward Zack Ostapchuk from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for forwards Skyler Bruce and Connor Dale, prospects Hudson Landmark and Owen Brees, a first and fifth round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, a first-round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft and a first-round pick in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.

“Moving Skyler was a very difficult decision, he has been a great ICE player on and off the ice for a number of years. We wish both Skyler and Connor all the best in Vancouver,” ICE president and GM Matt Cockell said Sunday. “We are excited to welcome Zack to the ICE."

The 19-year-old Ostapchuk, from St. Albert, Alta., joins the ICE after winning his second consecutive gold medal with Team Canada at the world junior hockey championship earlier this week in Halifax. He has played 153 regular-season games registering 96 points (48 goals, 48 assists) along with 118 penalty minutes over the past five WHL seasons with the Giants. Ostapchuk also registered 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 14 career WHL playoff games.

The six-foot-three, 198-pound forward has 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) along with 20 penalty minutes this season. Ostapchuk was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the second round, 39th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

* This roundup was generated automatically with a CP-developed application.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2023.