
Johnson's Natural Hat Trick Leads Wheat Kings in Regina
September 21, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Nick Johnson might've missed on this backhand, but he got his revenge three times as the game went on. (Photo by Keither Hershmiller)
Johnson's Natural Hat Trick Leads Wheat Kings In Regina
Category: Article September 21, 2024
For the second night in a row, the Brandon Wheat Kings got a natural hat trick, played a strong third period, and held their opponent to 25 shots. After last night's home opening win, they put together this effort on the road.
Nicholas Johnson picked up a hat trick, and Nolan Flamand and Easton Odut provided singles as the Wheat Kings downed the Pats 5-1 in their home opener. Ethan Eskit stopped 24 of 25 shots in his second straight win.
The scoring started with a storybook goal for the three former Brandon AAA Wheat Kings. Off a faceoff, Jaxon Jacobson won the puck forward, and Brady Turko chopped it to the front of the net. Out of the scramble, Odut found himself alone and made no mistake to make it 1-0.
After a Pat took a run at Eskit long after his shot had been smothered, the Wheat Kings were keen to make the Pats pay on the power play. Thanks to Johnson, they did, as Roger McQueen slung the puck across to him at the right circle with plenty of room to walk in and pick his spot, which Johnson did.
Johnson was back at it again in the third, first taking a pass off the rush from Flamand and snapping home his second. Then, after McQueen's one-timer rang iron, Johnson was right there for the rebound to stuff home his hat trick.
Regina was able to answer with a power play goal of their own. Moments after the Wheat Kings missed a shorthanded breakaway, the Pats came back and snapped one home off the rush, with Tye Spencer providing the shot.
But the Wheat Kings didn't the Pats build any momentum from it. Dylan Ronald took the shot that Matteo Michels tipped and although Ewan Huet made the save, Flamand was ready and waiting to pounce on the rebound.
The game devolved into nastiness late in the third, but the score stayed fixed at 5-1. Eskit stood his ground late and the Wheat Kings skated away with the win
The Wheat Kings are now 2-0 on the young season. Next up is a short swing through Saskatchewan with stops in Prince Albert next Friday and Saskatoon the following night.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 21, 2024
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- Johnson's Natural Hat Trick Leads Wheat Kings in Regina - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Chenier Scores Twice, Raiders Win First Game of Season 6-4 in Moose Jaw - Prince Albert Raiders
- Wheat Kings Spoil Pats' Home Opener - Regina Pats
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- Tigers Fall 2-1 in Red Deer - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Cougars Collect Point in 4-3 OT Setback to Kick off Regular Season - Prince George Cougars
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- Game Hub: Sep. 21 vs Vancouver Giants - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Open Season in Dramatic Fashion, Defeat Cougars 4-3 in Overtime - Spokane Chiefs
- Preview: Americans at Royals - September 21 - Tri-City Americans
- Broncos Look for Weekend Split with Blades - Swift Current Broncos
- Thorpe's OT Winner Gets Giants Past T-Birds on Opening Night - Vancouver Giants
- Americans Edged in Overtime by Royals - Tri-City Americans
- Broncos Drop Home Opener to Blades - Swift Current Broncos
- Royals Win Home Opener 5-4 in Overtime - Victoria Royals
- Hawks Rally to Top Blazers 5-2 in Kamloops - Portland Winterhawks
- Shantz Overtime Goal Seals Opening Night Victory - Regina Pats
- All Signs Of Blades Hockey Return, Open Season With Win Over Broncos - Saskatoon Blades
- Rudolph Scores First WHL Goal, But Raiders Fall 3-2 in Overtime to Start Season - Prince Albert Raiders
- Warriors Can't Hold Onto Lead, Fall to Brandon in Season Opener - Moose Jaw Warriors
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