The Regina Pats made a strong push in the second and third periods but came up just short in a 6-4 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday night at the Brandt Centre.
Prince Albert stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, capitalizing on two power-play opportunities and an even-strength marker. Brayden Dube, Owen Corkish, and Ben Harvey all found the back of the net to give the Raiders control early. Aiden Oiring then extended the lead to 4-0 just over a minute into the second period.
The Pats answered back in a big way, scoring three straight to cut the deficit to one. Julien Maze got Regina on the board with a highlight-reel between-the-legs finish before assisting on Caden Brown’s power-play marker and Cohen Klassen’s goal late in the frame.
Daxon Rudolph gave the Raiders breathing room early in the third with a slapshot just seven seconds in, but the Pats weren’t done. With the net empty, Reese Hamilton blasted home his first of the season to bring Regina within one again at 5-4. Prince Albert’s Max Heise sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minutes.
Julien Maze led the Pats offensively with a goal and three assists for a career-best four points. Meanwhile, Cohen Klassen had a career-high three points, as he chipped in with a goal and two helpers. Goaltender Taylor Tabashniuk stopped 17 of 18 shots in relief of starter Kelton Pyne.
The Raiders outshot the Pats 31-22 and finished 2-for-4 on the power play. Regina went 1-for-2 with the man advantage.
FINAL: Prince Albert Raiders 6, Regina Pats 4
THE GOALS
First Period
Raiders 1-0 — #15 Brayden Dube (3) scores. Assists: #23 Riley Boychuk, #10 Daxon Rudolph at 7:49 (PP) // Dube's one-timer just made its way into the top corner to open the scoring for the Raiders.
Raiders 2-0 — #32 Owen Corkish (1) scores. Assists: #18 Oli Chenier, #12 Brock Cripps at 11:48 (PP) // Chenier's one-timer from the left circle was deflected home by Corkish for his first WHL goal.
Raiders 3-0 — #20 Ben Harvey (1) scores. Assists: #29 Harrison Lodewyk at 16:01 // Lodewyk drove wide on the left wing side and centered the puck to an open Harvey, who slid it through Kelton Pyne's five-hole for his first in the WHL.
Second Period
Raiders 4-0 — #19 Aiden Oiring (2) scores. Assists: #15 Brayden Dube at 1:04 // Oiring intercepted the puck behind the Pats net and wrapped it around in tight to extend the Raiders' lead.
Pats 4-1 — #72 Julien Maze (1) scores. Assists: #37 Cohen Klassen at 8:12 // Maze made a fancy move in tight, going between his legs before squeaking it past Bass to get Regina on the board.
Pats 4-2 — #27 Caden Brown (2) scores. Assists: #72 Julien Maze, #37 Cohen Klassen at 13:38 (PP) // On the man advantage, Brown pounced on a loose puck and snuck it under the sprawling Bass.
Pats 4-3 — #37 Cohen Klassen (1) scores. Assists: #13 Liam Pue, #72 Julien Maze at 17:41 // After Pue was denied on a 1-on-1 opportunity, he stayed with the play and fed Klassen in front, who tapped it in to get the Pats within a goal.
Third Period
Raiders 5-3 — #10 Daxon Rudolph (2) scores. Assists: #29 Harrison Lodewyk, #14 Max Heise at 0:07 // Daxon Rudolph hammered a slapshot from the right point into the top corner to extend Prince Albert's lead.
Pats 5-4 — #6 Reese Hamilton (1) scores. Assists: #18 Zach Moore, #72 Julien Maze at 17:27 // With the net empty and the Pats down by two, Reese Hamilton blasted a one-timer underneath the left pad of Bass to get the Pats within one.
Raiders 6-4 — #14 Max Heise (1) scores. Assists: #11 Linden Burrett, #10 Daxon Rudolph at 18:29 // Heise threw the puck into the open net from centre to put the game away late.
Shots on Goal
Pats: 5 – 6 – 11 — 22
Raiders: 11 – 13 – 7 — 31
Power Plays
Pats: 1/2
Raiders: 2/4
Goaltending
Pats: Kelton Pyne — 8 saves on 12 shots & Taylor Tabashniuk — 17 saves on 18 shots
Raiders: Steele Bass — 18 saves on 22 shots
COMING UP
The Regina Pats continue their home schedule on Wednesday when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings.
