Second Period Costly as Raiders Drop 4-3 Decision to Wheat Kings
Published on March 7, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders gave up four second period goals on Tuesday night against the Brandon Wheat Kings, as they fell by a 4-3 final on home ice.
The Raiders killed off two penalties in the first half of the first period, and were quickly able to turn the pressure the other way in the Brandon zone. Ryder Ritchie nearly made something out of nothing on a one on three rush. The rookie turned on a dime and cut towards the goal but just failed to finish on what would've been a highlight reel play. Hayden Pakkala and Niall Crocker also had chances to open the scoring but failed to do so.
Prince Albert did get on the board however, with 4:12 left in the opening frame. Keaton Sorensen was taken down on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot, and the overager made no mistake. Sorensen eased his way down the right side of the ice, and cut back towards the middle once he got into the slot. In close, he deked and roofed a backhand shot past Ethan Eskit, scoring his 23rd goal of the season in his 200th WHL game. The goal put the Raiders up 1-0 heading into the second period.
The second period didn't go nearly as well for Prince Albert, who surrendered four goals in just over six minutes of play. Dawson Pasternak tied the game with 10:50 left in the second, while Ben Thornton scored 16 seconds later to give Brandon the lead. Calder Anderson and Nolan Ritchie also scored for the Wheat Kings in the middle frame, as they took a 4-1 lead into the third period, with the shots even at 23 apiece.
The Raiders scored twice in the final 11 minutes of the third period. Ryder Ritchie scored a gorgeous wraparound goal to make it a 4-2 game with his 18th goal of the season. With less than a minute to go and the net empty, the Raiders blocked a pile of shots in their end, and turned the puck up the other way. Sloan Stanick sniped a shot with 23 seconds left to make it a 4-3 game with his 21st goal of the season.
The comeback, however, could not be completed, as the Wheat Kings held on for the 4-3 win.
The Raiders (25-32-3-0) return to action at home on Friday night as they welcome the Saskatoon Blades to the Art Hauser Centre for the final time this season. Puck drop is 7pm.
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