Raiders Cale Sanders looks to get past Riley Ginnell at the Art Hauser Centre earlier this season. (Submitted photo/Mark Peterson Media)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Raiders Hockey

Raiders remain two points out of a playoff spot after loss to reeling Wheat Kings

Mar 25, 2022 | 8:52 PM

The Brandon Wheat Kings were on one of their worst losing streaks in the last 10 years and still banged up with notable injuries, but the Prince Albert Raiders couldn’t take advantage. They fell 5-3 to the Wheat Kings, who snapped a six-game losing streak.

With the loss, the Raiders stay at 53 points and are still two points out of the final playoff spot. The Swift Current Broncos have a hold of the spot currently and have played two more games than the Raiders have (61 to 59).

Jake Chiasson scored just 13 seconds into the game, putting the Raiders on their heels early and setting the tone.

“Well 13 seconds in, you don’t get off to a very good start on a missed play. Good play by them, but it put a dent into the momentum, there’s no doubt about it,” Raiders assistant coach Jeff Truitt said. “I thought the structure was good in the first, but we missed some assignments.”

Truitt said undisciplined penalties and unstructured play allowed the Wheat Kings to take over the game in the second, as they scored two more in the frame. That turned a chaotic but close 3-2 first period into a 5-2 Wheat Kings advantage after 40 minutes of play. The Raiders scored with 23 seconds remaining on the power play, but it was too little, too late.

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Raiders’ captain Reece Vitelli scored his side’s first goal, getting his fourth goal in his last three games. Vladislav Shilo, who has been promoted to Vitelli’s line in recent games, provided an outlandish behind-the-back pass to find Vitelli out front.

Landon Kosior and Sloan Stanick both scored on the power play and got assists on each others goals as well. Kosior has 17 goals on the season as he searches for that rare Raiders’ rearguard 20-goal milestone, only reached by three other defencemen in team history.

Game Summary

First Period

1-0, Wheat Kings, Jake Chiasson from Nolan Ritchie, 0:13

1-1, Raiders, Reece Vitelli from Vladislav Shilo, 6:28

2-1, Wheat Kings, Tyson Zimmer from Nate Danielson and Riley Ginnell, 9:24

3-1, Wheat Kings, Nolan Ritchie from Nate Danielson (power play), 12:42

3-2, Raiders, Landon Kosior from Evan Herman and Sloan Stanick (power play), 14:37

Second Period

4-2, Wheat Kings, Nolan Ritchie from Riley Ginnell (shorthanded), 6:57

5-2, Wheat Kings, Riley Ginnell from Jake Chiasson and Nolan Ritchie (power play), 13:35

Third Period

5-3, Raiders, Sloan Stanick from Landon Kosior and Evan Herman (power play), 19:37

Up next

The Raiders will take on the Winnipeg ICE for their next two games. They’ll hang out at the Wayne Fleming Arena on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW