Connor Bedard draws attention as Hitmen host Regina Pats
Posted Feb 1, 2023 12:12 pm.
Last Updated Feb 2, 2023 11:40 am.
The Calgary Hitmen play host to the Regina Pats and the WHL-leading goalscorer Connor Bedard Wednesday, which has drawn the attention of hockey fans in the city.
More than 19,000 tickets have been sold, much larger than the last time he was in Calgary, which saw a crowd of just over 3,000 attendees.
It’s unclear why the attendance is as high as it is. However, Bedard had a spectacular showing at the World Junior Championship.
Canada won the gold medal, and Bedard was named the tournament’s most valuable player with 23 points, nine goals and 14 assists.
He set a new Canadian record for most points in a single tournament, passing both Dale McCourt and Braden Schenn, both of which had 18 points.
Bedard also surpassed Eric Lindros for most overall points at a world juniors championship with 36 points to Lindros’ 31. He did this in 14 games.
Read More: Connor Bedard becomes Canada’s all-time leader in career points at world juniors
The upper levels of the Saddledome are generally closed off for WHL games, but on Wednesday, the area is making an exception and will open it to welcome more fans.
Ticketmaster doesn’t have any tickets available outside of the press level, with people asking hundreds or even thousands of dollars in some cases.
The Hitmen had a tough game in their last outing against the Pats, losing 5-2, and currently hold a three-game losing streak. The Pats lost the last time they visited the Saddledome in overtime, 7-3.
This is also the last time the two teams go head-to-head this season.
On Tuesday, the 17-year-old Regina Pats star scored his 43rd goal of the season and added two assists in a 6-5 overtime road loss against the Red Deer Rebels.
???? AND ANOTHER ONE ????
Bedard scores his 43rd of the season, extending his goal streak to 10 games & his point streak to
games ????#LegendsInTheMaking | #CB98 | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/gMHan9Q7WV
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) February 1, 2023
Tonight’s game gets underway at 7 p.m. at the Saddledome.
The Pats continue on its Alberta tour with a game in Lethbridge on Friday and another in Medicine Hat on Sunday.
Lethbridge already has sold all its seats, while Medicine Hat is getting close.
-With files from Sportsnet Staff and The Canadian Press
