The Prince Albert Raiders hosted the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Monday nighter at the Subway WHL Hub.
20-year-old goalie Max Paddock got the call for the Raiders while Ethan Kruger was in the Wheat King goal.
Each team has a win against each other on the season. Prince Albert won the first contest 5-3 on March 16th. The Wheat Kings won the return bout 7-1 on March 30th.
Brandon came into the game riding a six-game winning streak and in search of sole possession of first place in the East Division Hub.
The Wheat Kings (10-2-1-0) beat the “host” Raiders (4-7-1-1) 3-2 in an entertaining, tight-checking, and very even contest. Their seventh straight victory was decided by a shorthanded goal midway through the third period.
First period
There were plenty of chances early on for both clubs but both Paddock and Kruger were up to the task. Both goalies were made to make some difficult saves at key times in the first period.
Prince Albert struck first midway through the frame. Justin Nachbaur’s fourth goal of the season at 11:11 gave the Raiders a 1-0 lead. He ripped a one-timer on a pass from Ozzy Wiesblatt through a bunch of bodies and past Kruger.
The Wheat Kings were not going to go away.
Before the end go the first period, with 57.9 seconds left in the period the Wheat Kings tied the game. On a Brandon rush, Jake Chiasson lost control of the puck and through his linemates’ legs and it somehow eluded Paddock’s right pad. Chiasson’s sixth of the season tied the game at 1-1 going into the first break.
Despite the tie score, the Raiders held an 11-7 shot advantage through twenty minutes.
Second period
The Raiders took the lead once again near the midway point of the second period. Nachbaur and Eric Pearce were sent in on a short 2-on-1. Pearce sent a pass to Nachbaur, who one-timed the puck past Kruger. Nachbaur’s second of the night and fifth of the season gave the Raiders a 2-1 lead at 9:05.
Just over five minutes later, the Wheat Kings replied to tie the game. Nolan Ritchie collected the puck on a 4-on-3 powerplay, waited, and fired a wrist shot that beat a screened Paddock. Ritchie’s sixth goal of the season tied the game at 2-2 heading into the third period.
A very evenly played contest up to this point and in the period each club had 12 shots. The Raiders held a 23-19 advantage after 40 minutes.
Third period
Ridly Greig had a very impressive third period, especially on the penalty kill. He was blocking shots and keeping the Raider shooters from getting quality chances. His play while killing penalties led to an eventual odd-man rush the other way. Ben McCartney played decoy on the shorthanded rush and Greig decided to shoot. It was the right call as his shot beat Paddock to give the Wheat Kings a 3-2 lead at 9:27 of the third period.
The Raiders pressed late and with the goalie pulled had some chances but could not get the tying goal.
Greig’s fifth of the season proved to be the game-winner.
Just notes: Kruger made 31 saves for the Wheat Kings while Paddock made 22 for the Raiders. Both teams struck for powerplay markers as Brandon went 1-for-2 and Prince Albert went 1-for-5. Greig (who was the best player on the ice) picked up first-star honors. Nachbaur (2 goals) and Braden Schneider (2 assists) picked up second and third respectively.
