Wheat Kings come alive in third period to beat Raiders 5-2
The Prince Albert Raiders saw a 2-0 lead slip away, as they fell 5-2 to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday night.
A scoreless first period saw a crossbar hit from both sides, but the Raiders found the game’s first goal 5:14 into the second period. After a pass attempt from Dayce Derkatch was blocked on the way through, Evan Smith found the rubber in the slot and fired a shot on goal that was also blocked. Derkatch found the puck again behind the net and scored a nice wraparound goal for his third goal of the season. It was the second time this season that Derkatch found the back of the net at Westoba Place, and it put the Raiders up 1-0.
Just under 10 minutes later, Lukas Dragicevic doubled Prince Albert’s lead. After a pair of drop passes in the offensive zone by Riley Boychuk and Ty Meunier, Dragicevic took the puck and snapped home a shot far side past Carson Bjarnason on the blocker side. The Seattle Kraken prospect found the back of the net for the 14th time this season, putting Prince Albert up by a pair.
Brandon did respond with 4:38 to go in the second period, as Jordan Gavin scored their first goal of the night. Matteo Michels sent a hard pass in front to Gavin on a partial odd man rush, and he was able to outmuscle Tyrone Sobry to poke home his 19th of the season. That was the last goal of the middle frame, as the Raiders led 2-1 heading into the third. Aiden Oiring had a chance to score earlier in the period, but narrowly missed the net on a penalty shot.
The third period was all Wheat Kings, however, as they scored four unanswered goals to win the game. Nolan Flamand tied things up 2:47 into the period on the powerplay, while Dominik Petr scored around six minutes later to give Brandon their first lead of the game.
Carter Klippenstein scored with 3:24 left in regulation to make it 4-2, and Quinn Mantei scored into an empty net to secure the comeback and a 5-2 final.
The Raiders are back in action on Friday night at home against the Moose Jaw Warriors. Puck drops at 7pm.
