Raiders’ fourth-overall pick Harvey nets hat trick for Alberta’s first win at 2024 WHL Cup

Red Deer, Alta.- It’s a big day for Prince Albert Raiders fans.

Shortly after 2024 WHL Prospects Draft second-overall pick Brock Cripps put up four assists for British Columbia at the 2024 WHL Cup, fourth-overall selection Ben Harvey (Edmonton, Alta.) scored a hat trick to lift Alberta to a 5-3 win over Manitoba.

Three other Alberta players, Brock England, Jagger John and Ossie Mcintyre, added two assists each in the victory.

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Alberta had several good looks on an early first-period powerplay, but as the man advantage expired, Manitoba turned up the pressure and hacked away at the puck in the Alberta zone until Tyden Lafournaise (Lethbridge Hurricanes / Winnipeg, Man.) connected with a rebound to give Manitoba a 1-0 lead.

Midway through the frame, the host province showed off their speed as Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds, Airdrie, Alta.) tore down the ice and whipped the puck on net, where captain Ben Harvey tucked it home to level the match at one goal apiece.

Alberta would score in similar fashion late in the first, with England and Jagger John (Saskatoon Blades / Fort McMurray, Alta.) both taking whacks at it before Harvey pounced to bury his second of the night.

Harvey, who Prince Albert traded up to select at fourth overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, completed the hat trick on a slick two-on-one with England late in the middle frame.

Alberta extended its lead to 4-1 thanks to a late wrister from Jensen Marsh (Edmonton Oil Kings / Cochrane, Alta.), with assists going to Jagger John with his second of the night and Ossie Mcintyre (Spokane Chiefs / St. Alberta, Alta.).

In the final frame, the Wild Rose province put the game truly out of reach with Ossie Mcintyre picking off the puck and feeding Matthew Hilderman (Seattle Thunderbirds / Cochrane, Alta.) for his first of the tournament.

Cohen Lewko (Saskatoon Blades / Sanford, Man.) would add a second tally for Manitoba, but the defending champs would fall to 0-2 in a 5-3 decision.

Tate Barnaby (Winnipeg, Man.) was named Player of the Game for Manitoba, with Harvey earning the recognition for Alberta.

Barnaby saved a monster 44 of 49 shots, while Leif Oaten (Lethbridge Hurricanes / Calgary, Alta.) stopped 17 of 19.

Manitoba (0-2) opens the final day of round-robin play against Saskatchewan (1-1) at 10:30 a.m. MST on Friday, October 24, while Alberta (1-1) takes on British Columbia (2-0) shortly afterward with a 1:15 p.m. MST puck drop.