Polish import Krzysztof Macias potted the game winning goal along with an assist during Prince Albert's thrilling 2-1 win over the Wheat Kings in Brandon on Friday night. Macias shows off a smile after scoring one of his two goals against Brandon on Feb. 10, 2024. (Mark Peterson Media)

By Logan Lehmann

Last minute win

Raiders steal two points with swift, late comeback against Wheat Kings

Mar 1, 2024 | 10:41 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders managed a pair of goals in the final three minutes during Friday’s contest to come from behind and topple the Brandon Wheat Kings 2-1 at Westoba Place.

The win is the third in a row for the Raiders as they previously beat Brandon 5-2 on Saturday and Red Deer 5-1 on Wednesday. The win is also the sixth in Prince Albert’s last seven games. The Raiders now sit two points back of the Wheat Kings for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference.

The score was knotted at zero for the majority of the contest until Carter Klippenstein broke the deadlock with 3:55 remaining in the third to give Brandon the first lead of the game late.

However, the Raiders came back with pace and Ryder Ritchie scored a highlight reel marker moments later off the rush, signifying his first goal since Dec. 8. Then with less than 90 seconds to go, Turner McMillen battled for the puck off the offensive zone faceoff and got the puck to Krzysztof Macias in the slot who fired home the game winner for P.A.

Also potting assists for the Green and Gold was both Ritchie and Macias while Luke Shipley collected the lone helper for the Wheat Kings.

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Max Hildebrand was credited with the win between the pipes for the Raiders, making 24 saves to help Prince Albert improve to 29-26-1-3 on the campaign.

Carson Bjarnason was in the opposite goal and turned aside 27 shots as Brandon falls to 29-24-5-1.

COMPLETE BOX SCORE

Following a scoreless first and second periods, the party didn’t start until there was just under four minutes remaining in the contest when Klippenstein broke the ice by putting Brandon out in front.

The marker awoke the Raiders offence just over 90 seconds later as Ritchie’s first since coming back from injury got P.A. on the board. The 2024 NHL Draft prospect caught a pass from Macias and deked out the Wheat Kings netminder to slide home equalizer.

Then with 1:24 to go, McMillen managed to get the puck out into the slot and on to the tape of Macias who rocketed home the go-ahead goal putting P.A. on top.

Brandon pulled Bjarnason with one minute remaining and despite the extra man, the Raiders defence stood tall and managed to complete the late and quick comeback to steal a crucial two points in the standings, 2-1 over the Wheat Kings.

The Raiders will now journey back to Hockeytown North where their set to face off against the Lethbridge Hurricanes in less than 24 hours on Saturday night with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop at the Art Hauser Centre.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com