Photo Courtesy of the Prince Albert Raiders
Prince Albert, SK (CKLQ) – The Prince Albert Raiders picked up an important two points on Friday night as they beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 5-2 at the Art Hauser Centre.
The Raiders got off to a good start, opening the scoring just 2:04 into the game. Brett Leason buried his 10th of the season off a rebound to give the Raiders an early lead.
Just moments later the Raiders would add another, as former Victoria Royal Regan Nagy beat Logan Thompson for his 23rd of the season.
The Wheat Kings wouldn’t go away quietly however as they cut into the lead with just over four minutes remaining in the first. Schael Higson finished off a nice give and go with Gunnar Wegleitner for his 3rd of the season.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the 2nd period, but the Raiders had three powerplay chances firing 13 shots at Logan Thompson. Despite the shooting gallery, the Wheat Kings kept the Raiders at bay.
The Raiders would score three more times in the third period to pick up the win.
Ty Lewis added a single for Brandon who got 34 saves from Logan Thompson. Meanwhile, Curtis Meger made 18 saves for the win at the other end.
The Wheat Kings loss combined with the Regina Pats victory over Moose Jaw drops Brandon into the #1 wildcard spot. The Swift Current Broncos leapfrogged the Warriors into top spot in the division, while the Raiders are now four points back of the Saskatoon Blades for the final playoff spot.
These two teams will meet again Saturday night at Westoba Place. (7:30 on QCountry Radio.)
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
PA – Brett Leason (10) (Sapego, Nachbaur) 2:04
PA – Regan Nagy (23) (Martin, Stallard) 6:47
BWK – Schael Higson (3) (Wegleitner) 15:54
Shots: 10-10
2nd PERIOD
No Scoring
Shots: 13-5 Prince Albert
3rd PERIOD
PA – Zack Hayes (3) (Pachal, McDonald) 3:01
BWK – Ty Lewis (31) (Weinger) 3:24
PA – Vojtek Budik (9) (Kelly, Fonstad) 6:54
PA – Cody McDonald (29) (Kelly) 15:44
Final Shots: 39-20 Prince Albert