Regina Pats superfan '100% confident' team will beat Red Deer in Game 7

Few things in the world are 100 per cent. But in Wayne Kosior's mind, there is no doubt the Regina Pats will win on Tuesday night in Red Deer.

"I'm 100 per cent confident they're going to go out there and bring home the win," Kosior said.

The Pats and Rebels face off in Game 7 of their second round Western Hockey League playoff series on April 19. The Pats forced the deciding game with a convincing 5-1 victory on Sunday at the Brandt Centre.

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Kosior, who has been billeting Regina players for years, was there on Sunday and it only reaffirmed his confidence.

The home team has won every game in this series, but Game 7 is a completely different dog.- Wayne Kosior

"It was incredible," he said. "Yesterday's game was an unbelievable fan experience. The crowd was so into it and the Pats played so well. It was unbelievable."

While Kosior said he's 100 per cent confident, he did note the Pats will have to accomplish something that hasn't been done in the series so far.

"The home team has won every game in this series, but Game 7 is a completely different dog," he said. "Just based on the way the boys played yesterday — they played unbelievable. They badly out-hustled Red Deer, took away their time and space, and even physically laid a beating on them — and certainly Red Deer is a much bigger team than the Pats."

The winner of Tuesday's game will advance to the WHL's Eastern Conference championship. For the Pats, a loss would end their season. The Rebels, on the other hand, are playing for momentum. Red Deer is hosting this year's Memorial Cup and are therefore guaranteed one of the four spots in the tournament. But Kosior sees that as an advantage for Regina.

"All the pressure is going to be on Red Deer. They're expected to win. They're at home. I think their kids are going to feel a lot more pressure, whereas the Pats can go in there feeling really relaxed. Nobody is expecting them to win except for us great fans here in Regina."

For Kosior, his confidence doesn't mean it will be an easy game, which is reflected in his prediction for Game 7.

"I'm going to go with the Pats winning 4-3 in a real tight game."

It's just been a really exciting team that they've put together.- Wayne Kosior

The winner of Tuesday's game between Red Deer and Regina will take on the dominant Brandon Wheat Kings in the next round. It's a dream match-up for the Pats, who were eliminated from the playoffs against Brandon last season. 

"The Pats overall have had a bit of a tough time with the Brandon Wheat Kings historically," Kosior said. "But I think just with the team that we've got this year, the group that the coaching staff and the management has put together, is a very strong team. I think they're extremely confident now." 

In eight games against Regina this season, Brandon won six times and outscored the Pats 32-12 in those games.

Regardless of what happens next, Kosior believes the 2015-16 Regina Pats have been special.

"It's just been a really exciting team that they've put together. It's very offensive — obviously with Adam Brooks winning the (WHL) scoring crown," he said.

"Just a lot of good players. Sammy Steel could be a first round (NHL) draft pick. A real fast skating, hustling team. They're not big, that's for sure. They're probably one of the smaller teams and I think the third youngest team in the league. But just a very exciting team to watch."