Cole Peardon lets a shot go against the Wheat Kings on Feb. 22, 2024. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Gameday preview

Raiders look to stay hot against Wheat Kings

Mar 1, 2024 | 12:05 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders (28-26-1-3) are looking to make it three wins in a row on Friday as they are paying a quick visit to the Brandon Wheat Kings (29-23-5-1) at Westoba Place.

The Raiders’ last two wins have come in commanding fashion where P.A. downed Brandon 5-2 on Saturday and more recently toppled Red Deer 5-1 on Wednesday, both happening at the Art Hauser Centre. The Raiders have also won five of their last six contests and are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games.

The Wheat Kings have had the last six days to rest their legs following their three-in-three through Central Saskatchewan last weekend which saw Brandon win twice, prevailing over Saskatoon and Prince Albert. The Wheaties are 3-2-0 in their last five games with the other win coming over Calgary, while they are also an even 5-5-0 in their last 10.

A win will be important for either team on Friday as the push for the playoffs is growing in intensity. Heading into the game, Brandon occupies the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference while Prince Albert sits one below in seventh. Either club has the same number of games played at 58 although, the Raiders sit four points, or two games, back of the Wheat Kings in the standings.

Friday’s contest is the seventh meeting of the season between the two storied clubs with the Wheat Kings leading the season series 4-2. Following the game, the two will wrap up their season series in Brandon on March 16.

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The Raiders will have a quick turnaround following Friday’s game as they are slated to host the Lethbridge Hurricanes just a day later on Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.

How the Eastern Conference stands ahead of Friday’s divisional matchup. After the game, the Raiders have nine games remaining in the regular season.

Who to Watch

Veteran Sloan Stanick added another three points to his season totals during Wednesday’s win over Red Deer where he scored once and tacked on two assists. The performance earned him second star and was his second straight game with three points as he netted a hat-trick against Brandon on Saturday. The pride of Rapid City, Man. is now one point away from eclipsing 200 points in his career while sitting four points away from the 80-point mark on the season.

Alternate captain Niall Crocker also finished Wednesday’s win with the same stat line, collecting a goal and two helpers, earning his first star honours. The three-point tally pushed the Delta, B.C. born forward past the 50-point mark for the first time in his career as he also inches closer to the century mark for points in his career, entering Friday with 92.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com