Fonstad, Leason Pace Raiders To Weekend Sweep
Regina, SK – Cole Fonstad and Brett Leason factored into all three goals as the Prince Albert Raiders (2-0-0-0) earned a 3-1 victory over the Regina Pats (0-2-0-0) on Saturday night at the Brandt Centre.
Fonstad had a pair of second period goals, while Leason had a goal and an assist to help the Raiders complete the sweep of the home-and-home series with the Pats. The Raiders knocked off the Pats 7-2 at the Art Hauser Centre on Friday night.
In the first period, the Pats took the lead midway through the frame. Aaron Hyman solved Ian Scott for the second consecutive night, putting a shot off the far post and into the back of the net for the only goal of the opening 20 minutes.
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The Raiders drew even in the second period. Jeremy Masella threw a pass up the boards to Spencer Moe, who collected the puck and entered the zone. Moe spotted Fonstad across the crease and the Montreal Canadiens draft pick redirected the puck past Max Paddock.
The @PARaidersHockey are tied with the Regina Pats after a goal from @CanadiensMTL prospect Cole Fonstad! #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/F2swdTpbQO
— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 23, 2018
Shortly after, the Raiders lost Justin Nachbaur for the game. After the whistle, Nachbaur was pushed into the crossbar by Duncan Pierce. Nachbaur got up and cross-checked Pierce, receiving a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the infraction. The Raiders killed off the five-minute power play.
Fonstad got his second of the game on the power play soon after the Pats’ major power play expired. Leason and McDonald worked a give and go, leading to Leason finding Fonstad at the top of the slot. The Estevan product snapped it past a diving Paddock to put the Raiders ahead.
Olé, Olé, Olé! @CanadiensMTL prospect Cole Fonstad has two goals. The @PARaidersHockey now lead 2-1! #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/p4KQXJWWAI
— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 23, 2018
Six minutes into the third, Leason tallied the insurance marker. The Calgary product’s wrister from the top of the right faceoff circle beat Paddock to make it a 3-1 game.
Right after the goal, the Raiders were sent to their seventh shorthanded situation of the night. Like the six before, the Raiders turned away the Pats with the man advantage. The Raiders’ penalty killers finished the night by killing off all eight penalties.
Part of that success is due to Scott, who made 27 saves to pick up his second consecutive win. Paddock stopped 34 shots in the loss.
The Raiders are off until Friday night when the Medicine Hat Tigers (1-1-0-0) make their first trip to the Art Hauser Centre this season. Puck drop is 7 p.m. Tickets are available at raiderhockey.com or the Raider Office.
Friday’s game falls under the Harvest Hat Trick Flex Pack. This three-ticket pack is only $50 and is valid for any combination of our two remaining September home games. Anyone who uses all three of the flex tickets will be entered into a draw for new pressure washer, courtesy of Farm World. For more information, visit raiderhockey.com/harvesthattrick.
