Hayden Pakkala gets ready to shoot against the Brandon Wheat Kings during a game last season on Dec. 7, 2022. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Gameday Preview

Raiders head east for divisional matchup against Brandon

Sep 27, 2023 | 12:00 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders (1-1-0-0) are set to play out of the province for the first time this season, taking on the Wheat Kings in Brandon (1-0-1-0) on Wednesday night.

The Raiders are coming off a loss in their last matchup, falling in Saskatoon against the Blades 4-2. The loss was P.A.’s first of season after they shut out the Moose Jaw Warriors 4-0 on Friday to kick off the campaign.

Meanwhile, Brandon hasn’t had a problem finding the back of the net to get their season started. The Wheaties dropped their season opener against Regina 7-6 in overtime before slaughtering the Warriors 9-4 the following night. The result is a combined 15 goals in two games for Brandon, a WHL and CHL best after week one.

Last season, the Wheat Kings took the season series over Prince Albert, going 3-2-1-0 while the Raiders held a 3-3-0-0 record.

Following tonight’s contest, P.A. will head home to host the Pats on Friday night. Meanwhile, Brandon goes back to Moose Jaw that same evening to face the Warriors for the second time this season.

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Who to Watch

Czechia import Matej Kubiesa got the monkey off his back in just his second WHL game on Friday. The 17-year-old rookie was at the right place at the right time, scoring off a rebound in the late stages of the second period. The point was also his first in the Green and Gold as he was held off the scoreboard during his three appearances during the preseason.

Defenceman Owen Boucher was the other goal scorer for P.A. in Friday’s loss, potting the lone third period marker in the game. The goal was the third of his career and put the blue liner at the halfway mark to matching last seasons goal total. The St. Paul, Alta. product is looking to build on what was a career season last year, when he scored 10 points (2g, 8a) for the Raiders in 61 games.

Blue liner Terrell Goldsmith is set to make his season debut in Brandon tonight after missing the first two games while at Arizona Coyotes training camp earlier this week. The 6-4 defender was drafted in the fourth round, 102 overall by the Coyotes in this year’s draft. The Fort St. James, B.C. native had nine points (3g, 6a) last season for Prince Albert.

More information about the game.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com