(Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nolan Kowal

Gameday Preview

Raiders, Wheat Kings set to renew hostilities

Feb 22, 2024 | 10:53 AM

It’s a familiar opponent for the Prince Albert Raiders Thursday night as the team welcomes the division rival Brandon Wheat Kings to the Art Hauser Centre.

The two teams have met four times this season with the Wheat Kings holding a 3-1 season series edge. P.A. won the last meeting 7-3 in a game where the two teams combined for 42 penalty minutes. The two teams will still meet three more times after Thursday’s tilt.

The Raiders are coming off a pair of wins on their Alberta road trip last weekend as they beat both Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. Brandon meanwhile is coming off a loss to Saskatoon on Monday.

Thursday’s game is crucial for playoff positioning. The Raiders trail the Wheat Kings by four points in the standings, and can move to within two points of Brandon for sixth spot in the Eastern Conference if they can win in regulation on home ice.

Who to watch

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

18h ago

health care

La Loche recipient of new portable blood analyzer, printer kit

20h ago

Crime

Dangerous driving report at Red Wing, leads to arrest of man with gun

23h ago

Forward Turner McMillen has been a welcome addition to the Raiders lineup. The winger has 11 points in 18 games with P.A. and scored in Lethbridge on Saturday to tie the game in the dying seconds. The now 21-year-old forward has added a physical dimension to the Raiders forward group.

Forward Sloan Stanick scored the overtime winner in Lethbridge and continues to have an excellent season in his final year of major junior eligibility. The 20-year-old forward has 69 points in 55 games. Stanick was born in Rapid City, Manitoba, which is about a half an hour drive north from Brandon, so he’s always motivated playing against the Wheat Kings.

The two teams will play again on Saturday in Prince Albert. The Raiders have a rare Friday off while the Wheat Kings play in Saskatoon.

You can listen to Thursday’s game on 900 CKBI.

—

nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com