Raiders Can't Quite Mount Comeback in 4-3 Loss to Wheat Kings
September 27, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders fell narrowly to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday night on the road, falling by a 4-3 final. It was a game that saw them trailing 4-1 at one point in the second period.
The Raiders got off to a quick start in the first period, outshooting Brandon 7-1 in the early goings of the game. Carter Anderson had the best chance to open the scoring just a couple minutes into the game, but was denied on a backhand attempt on a breakaway.
At the other end of the ice despite all of the pressure in their own end, the Wheat Kings opened the scoring on their first shot of the game. Taking the puck from Caleb Hadland, Nolan Flamand spun and fired a shot from the high slot that fooled Max Hildebrand blocker side. Just 3:30 into the game, Brandon jumped ahead to a quick 1-0 lead.
Prince Albert was finally rewarded for all of their pressure at the 5:35 mark of the first period, as they tied things up just over two minutes after giving up the opening goal. After spending more time in the offensive zone, it was Grady Martin who ripped a shot from the high slot with Carter Anderson setting a nice screen in front of the net. Wheat Kings' netminder Ethan Eskit was unable to see anything thanks to the body in front, and Martin beat him blocker side for his first goal of the season, and second of his WHL career. The goal tied the fast paced game 1-1 just past the quarter mark of the first period.
Roger McQueen gave Brandon the lead back with 6:16 left in the first period. The second-year forward beat Hildebrand for his third goal of the season on a tic tac toe play to put the Wheat Kings up 2-1. McQueen came into the game just one point back of the early league scoring lead, and tied that scoring race with the goal, registering his seventh point in his third game of the season.
After 20 minutes, the Raiders led 13-11 in shots, but Brandon held the edge on the scoreboard 2-1. The first fight of the season for the Raiders occurred as time expired in the first period. Grady Martin dropped the gloves with Luke Shipley, and the two took each other down to the ice after landing a couple of blows.
The Wheat Kings jumped out to a two goal lead 5:28 into the second period, as Carter Klippenstein scored for the home side. The forward sniped a shot from the left circle past Hildebrand to make it a 3-1 game. Less than two minutes later that lead became 4-1, as McQueen found his second goal of the game. Taking a pass from Rylen Roersma, McQueen snapped a one timer home to put Brandon up 4-1 with 12:56 left in the middle frame.
Another fight broke out after a stoppage in play with 7:31 left in the second period. After a Wheat King crashed the net hard after a save by Hildebrand, a scrum broke out near the left corner. The scrum resulted in rookie forward Oli Chenier dropping the gloves with Klippenstein. Chenier got the upper hand in the fight, landing a couple of shots and taking down his Wheat Kings opposition. Both forwards went to the box for five minutes, while Terrell Goldsmith and Brett Hyland were also handed roughing minors, with Goldsmith assessed an extra roughing minor added on top.
The Raiders got back on the scoreboard with 3:30 left in the second period, bringing themselves back in the game before the end of the frame. Ryder Ritchie connected on a pass to Krzysztof Macias, and Macias had a wide open net to bury his second goal of the season. Already with an assist in the game, Macias picked up his second point of the night, as his goal made it a 4-2 game.
The Raiders were given a powerplay late in the second period and nearly converted on it. After Ritchie fanned on a pass to Niall Crocker who came crashing to the crease, Ritchie still had the puck right in front of the net and decided to shoot, but Eskit snatched the puck with a big glove save to keep it 4-2. After 40 minutes, Brandon held onto their 4-2 lead, while also leading 27-20 in shots.
The Raiders made it a one goal game 8:08 into the third period, as Oli Chenier scored his first career WHL goal. After the puck was bouncing around in the slot, Chenier banged home a shot to make it a 4-3 Wheat Kings lead. Grady Martin picked up one of the assists on the goal, giving himself a Gordie Howe hat trick on the night. Easton Kovacs grabbed the primary assist on the play.
The Raiders had a few chances to tie the game in the third period, but couldn't find a late equalizer, as the Wheat Kings held on to win by a 4-3 final. The shots on goal also favoured Brandon by a 31-27 margin.
Prince Albert falls to 1-2-0-0 on the season. They return home to take on the Regina Pats on Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is 7pm.
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