PA's Terrell Goldsmith gets into it with Edmonton's Cole Carrier just 30 seconds into the game. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Win Column

Raiders earn first win of the season vs. defending champs

Oct 1, 2022 | 11:48 PM

PRINCE ALBERT, SK – The Prince Albert Raiders made it happen of Saturday night, defeating the reigning WHL champion Edmonton Oil Kings 5-1 at the Art Hauser Centre.

The win comes 24 hours after falling to the Moose Jaw Warriors on the road 4-3.

“I thought our guys worked hard tonight,” said head coach Jeff Truitt. “They showed that they can play with the league which is pretty encouraging. Anytime you get that first (win), its good for the confidence.”

It was a special night inside the walls of the Hauser. The Raiders wore special custom orange jerseys tonight for Truth and Reconciliation Day yesterday and to honour those who passed while attending residential schools.

A special ceremony also took place before puck drop, where Chiefs and members of surrounding First Nations were in attendance to perform a traditional dance and song. A ceremonial puck drop also occurred where Dallyn Peekeekoot’s kukom, Marjorie Hyman, dropped the puck before the singing of O’ Canada which was performed in Cree.

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Peekeekoot netted an assist in the contest, where he said that having his kukom watching him tonight was a pretty special feeling.

“It means a lot,” he said. “Coming to the game I think is a pretty big deal for her and to see it is pretty awesome for her because she doesn’t get out much but it’s awesome.”

Keaton Sorensen led the way for PA tonight, netting two goals and an assist in the contest. Cole Peardon, Anton Yatsyshin, and Ryder Ritchie also lit the lamp in the game. Alongside Peekeekoot, Harrison Lodewyk, Carson Latimer, and Tayem Gislason also netted assists while newcomer Owen Boucher had three helpers on the night.

For the Oil Kings, rookie Marshall Finnie had the lone marker in the third period.

Raiders netminder Tikhon Chaika made 24 saves in the win, as PA improves to 1-3-1-0 on the campaign.

Oil Kings goalies Alex Worthington and Kolby Hay combined for 28 stops on the night as Edmonton remains winless on the season at 0-3-1-0.

COMPLETE BOX SCORE

Not even thirty seconds into the contest and the party got started with a bang.

Terrell Goldsmith and Cole Carrier had a dance after Carrier ripped Goldsmith’s helmet off. To everyone’s disappointment, the near minute-long tilt had no winner as the refs came in and broke it up.

Three different Raiders found the back of the net in the first and it all started with one of PA’s rookies. Peekeekoot fed Lodewyk which sprung a PA two-on-one, Lodewyk then sauced a pass to Peardon who put it past the Oil Kings netminder to get his first in the WHL.

The Raiders second goal was just as pretty as the first. A minute later, an Edmonton clearing attempt took a funny bounce off the stanchion on the blue line which sprung Sorensen on a breakaway who put on the moves to deke out Worthington and double the lead.

Just a minute after that and Yatsyshin wanted in on the scoring parade. The newly-signed Raider made it three after he tipped Boucher’s point-shot past the sprawling Worthington. The goal ended the rookie netminders night and he was subbed out for Kolby Hay.

To round out the stellar first period for the Raiders, Sorensen potted his second of the night from the left circle on the powerplay to make it 4-0 after the first.

A change of pace in the second period with Edmonton scoring the lone goal. Oil Kings rookie Marshall Finnie potted his first career WHL goal on the penalty kill to cut into the Prince Albert lead.

Ritchie added one more for the Raiders in the third as PA downed the defending WHL champs, 5-1.

PA is back at home for their next contest where the Lethbridge Hurricanes will visit the Art Hauser Centre on Wednesday night.

—

logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann