RECAP: Raiders stun Wheat Kings Friday night

BRANDON M.B. – The Brandon Wheat KingsĀ comeback falls short as the Raiders escape with a 4-3 win Friday night.
The game didn’t start well for the Wheat Kings who allowed the opening two goals. First it was Ryder Ritchie who was sprung loose on a breakaway beating Carson Bjarnason to make it 1-0 8:09 into the game. Then, Sloan Stanick would score splitting the Wheat Kings defence to make it 2-0 with a powerplay tally.
The Wheat Kings would turn into a much different team in the second period. Nate Danielson would score going coast to coast beating Tikhon Chaika cutting the Raiders lead in half. The Wheat Kings would control play throughout the remainder of the period but couldn’t find the equalizer. Shots in the 2nd period alone were 16-7 in favour of the Wheat Kings.
In the third the Wheat Kings would continue to pressure but Tikhon Chaika would rob guys like Nolan Ritchie point blank in the slot making a huge save keeping it 2-1 Raiders. The Raiders would extend their lead with Carter Anderson taking a back door pass from Cole Peardon to make it 3-1 Raiders. Only 59 seconds later Wheat Kings blue liner Andrei Malyavin wiring a wrist shot from the left side circle beating Chaika cutting the lead to one again. Late in the period the Raiders would take off with the puck and score a highlight reel goal to restore the two goal lead with 2:23 remaining. Nolan Ritchie would make things interesting scoring with the extra attacker making it 4-3 but it wouldn’t be enough with the Raiders escaping with a 4-3 win. Final shots on goal 39-21 Wheat Kings.
3 Stars
- Tikhon Chaika (36 saves)
- Ryder Ritchie (1G-1A)
- Andrei Malyavin (1G-1A)
The Wheat Kings are back in action Saturday night when they travel to Saskatoon to take on Jake Chiasson and the Saskatoon Blades. Puck drop at 8:00pm central time from the SaskTel Centre. Catch voice of the Wheat Kings Chase Johnston with the Drummonds Farm Service pregame show beginning at 7:45pm.