"This One Was for the Kids," Stanick Says About 5-2 Win Over Wheat Kings
February 24, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Revenge was on the mind of the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday night, as they avenged a Thursday loss against Brandon to beat the Wheat Kings 5-2 at the Art Hauser Centre.
"We needed this one," head coach Jeff Truitt said. "We needed to play desperate, and we knew they had a short bench and a tough schedule with a 3 in 3 which is tough. We needed to take advantage of it and we did."
It was Kid Takeover Night at the rink, and Sloan Stanick was one of the Raiders who was most heavily involved in the game night production. Scoring a hat trick already made it a night to remember, but he says getting the win in front of the kids was the best part of it all.
"It obviously felt good, we were playing for those young kids that are really sick," Stanick said. "We went out and played for them, and it was really special to get the win and to get some photos with them. We know it made their day, and that's all we can ask for."
The Wheat Kings scored on their only powerplay of the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Dominik Petr ripped a one timer off a pass from Brady Turko that just beat Max Hildebrand past a sliding pad on the left post. Petr picked up his 15th goal of the season, and it gave the visitors a one goal edge with 5:49 left in the opening frame.
Prince Albert responded with 2 minutes left in the first period, scoring a powerplay goal of their own to tie the game. Right after Aiden Oiring won a faceoff in the offensive zone, he went in front of the net to set a screen, while the puck rolled to the point for a waiting Justice Christensen. The Raider defenceman fired a wrist shot on goal, and there to tip it home was Oiring, who picked up his third goal in two games against Brandon. This time he scored his 15th goal of the season, and it sent both teams into the dressing room tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes.
The Raiders took their first lead of the night 7:44 into the first period, scoring their second powerplay goal of the game. From the high slot, Krzysztof Macias sent a pass to the left wing for Sloan Stanick, who had time to pick his spot on Carson Bjarnason. Stanick stepped in and fired a shot off the right post and in for his 25th goal of the season, giving Prince Albert a 2-1 lead.
The Raiders held a 19-12 edge in shots through 40 minutes, and took their 2-1 lead into the third period.
4:38 into the third period, Turner McMillen gave the Raiders a 3-1 lead, and it was Prince Albert's only even strength goal of the contest. Ryder Ritchie gave McMillen a silky backhand pass in the slot, and he blasted home a one timer, scoring his eighth goal of the season to give Prince Albert a two-goal edge.
With 11:20 to go, the Raiders took a 4-1 lead, scoring their third powerplay goal. Stanick picked up his second goal of the night, again with lots of time to pick his spot. Moving from the left point to the high slot, Stanick sniped a shot past Bjarnason on the blocker side, scoring to give the home side a three-goal cushion.
"We've been working on (our powerplay) lots," Stanick said. "That's what's going to help us win games, getting those powerplay goals. It felt good and we're clicking right now. We just have to keep it going."
With just under seven minutes left, the Wheat Kings scored a shorthanded goal to make things interesting again. Dominik Petr skated down the left wing a placed a perfect shot top shelf over Hildebrand. Petr grabbed his 16th goal of the season to make it a 4-2 game.
On the same powerplay, the Raiders answered right back to regain their three-goal lead, and it was Stanick who scored another goal to complete the hat trick. Taking a pass from Justice Christensen at the point, Stanick walked in near the middle of the left circle and sniped a shot top corner over Bjarnason's blocker. The shot gave the overage forward his third goal of the night and his 27th of the season to make it a 5-2 game.
"We just wanted to stay composed," Stanick said about rebounding after the shorthanded goal. "We knew we could win the game, so we just had to keep playing our game and getting that one to make it 5-2 was big."
"You gotta lean on your older guys right now," Truitt said. "It's clutch time right now, and when those players deliver, that's what veteran players do."
The Raiders would hold Brandon off from there, with the exception of a handful of penalties being handed out in the latter stages of the game. When the final buzzer sounded, Prince Albert came out on top by a 5-2 final, splitting their two games this week, and improving to 27-26-1-3 on the season.
The club is back in action on Wednesday night when the Red Deer Rebels roll into town. Puck drops at the Art Hauser Centre at 7pm.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2024
- Hawks Win Again, Top Royals 5-2 - Portland Winterhawks
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- Wheat Kings Finally Hit Wall Against Raiders - Brandon Wheat Kings
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- Cougars Aim for 2nd BC Division Title in Team History Tonight in Kelowna - Prince George Cougars
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- Chiefs Dominate Pats 5-2 in Front of Parents, Massive Crowd - Spokane Chiefs
- Pats Fall Short to Begin U.S. Road Trip - Regina Pats
- Warriors Cruise Past Americans on Friday - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Cougars Roar to a 5-1 Victory Over Kamloops Blazers, Eyes Set on BC Division Crown - Prince George Cougars
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