Horon Nets Three Points In Raiders Win Over Wheat Kings
March 16, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Regina, SK - Michael Horon had a goal and two assists as the Prince Albert Raiders (2-0-0-1) picked up a 5-3 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings (1-1-1-0) on Tuesday evening in the Subway Hub Centre at the Brandt Centre in Regina.
It was the first three points of the season for Horon and the first three-point outing of his WHL career.
Ozzy Wiesblatt chipped in offensively with three assists on the evening. Evan Herman and Reece Vitelli each tallied a goal and an assist. Graydon Gotaas found the back of the net for the first time in his WHL career, while Eric Pearce rounded out the scoring.
The Wheat Kings struck first on Tuesday with a power-play goal 4:37 into the contest. Max Paddock got a piece of Vincent Iorio's blast from the point. While Paddock thought he had the puck, it trickled through him and just over the line to give Brandon the early lead.
Midway through the period, the Raiders answered back. As a power play of their own was expiring, Wiesblatt made a cross-zone pass to Horon low in the zone on the right side. The Lethbridge product then found Herman at the top of the crease, who tapped home the pass for his second of the season.
Less than two minutes after Horon set up a goal, he scored one of his own. He took a pass from Herman as he entered the zone with speed and beat Connor Ungar on the short side for his first of the season, putting the Raiders up 2-1 with 6:41 to play in the opening frame.
The Wheaties responded with another power-play goal before the end of the first. Braden Schneider set up Ben McCartney with a one-timer from the right faceoff circle that beat Paddock to make it a 2-2 contest.
The Raiders regained the lead less than two minutes into the second period on a power play. Spencer Moe dug the puck out from behind the net. While Ungar reached out for it, Wiesblatt dug the puck out before it was covered. Vitelli was at the side of the net and banked the puck of the post and in to give the Raiders a 3-2 lead.
Late in the second, the Raiders were able to find the back of the net to double their lead. Wiesblatt found Horon with another cross-zone pass on a rush. Horon spotted a pinching Gotaas at the bottom of the left faceoff circle. Gotaas fired the puck into the empty cage for his first WHL goal.
Paddock shut the door when needed during the third period. The overage netminder made 17 saves in the final frame while also facing two Wheat Kings power plays.
Eric Pearce was able to ice the game with 2:38 to play. The Raiders dumped the puck into the corner and it took a friendly Prince Albert bounce to the front of the net. With Ungar out of the goal to play it, Pearce was able to bury the loose puck despite the Wheat Kings goaltender diving back into the crease.
Neithan Salame provided the lone blemish of the period for Paddock, finishing off a passing play in the Raiders' zone with 1.7 seconds left in regulation.
Paddock stopped 34 shots to pick up his second win of the season. Ungar made 19 saves in the loss for Brandon.
The Raiders are off until Friday night when they take on the Highway-11 rival Saskatoon Blades (2-0-0-0). Puck drop is 8 p.m. Catch the game on WHL Live on CHL TV.
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