Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman Vincent Iorio, the Washington Capitals second round draft pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (55th overall), scored two power-play goals and added three assists against the Regina Pats on Friday night. In doing so he recorded his first career five-point night, helping Brandon overcome 2-0, 3-1, and 4-2 deficits on route to their 19th win of the season.
Iorio got the Wheat Kings on the scoreboard 4:02 into the second period with a shot from the point that found its way through Regina goalie Matthew Kieper’s glove.
Iorio cuts the lead in half and then Salame burns his former team to restore the two goal lead.
Bedard gets his second point of the night. @CarloColaiacovo is happy; @frankcorrado22 is starting to sweat#CHLonTSN | @bdnwheatkings | @WHLPats pic.twitter.com/l2UROeZlbC
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 29, 2022
But just 18 seconds later Regina scored to restore their two-goal lead at 3-1.
Brandon drew back within a goal 9:31 into the period when Iorio scored another power-play goal with a shot from the high slot past Kieper’s blocker.
Two shots, two goals for #ALLCAPS prospect Iorio @bdnwheatkings | @Capitals | #CHLonTSN pic.twitter.com/U2JOuTWImQ
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 29, 2022
“He was real good tonight and had to play lots of minutes,” Brandon head coach Don MacGillivray said. “I think without Mason in there, (Chad Nychuk) and Vinny play a little bit more. He did a real good job on the power play. He shot the puck twice from the top and both shots found their way in. I thought he got back for pucks, he moved the puck, he got to his net, he made the right plays and made the game easier for his teammates.”
Iorio, 19, has six goals and 19 assists on 85 shots in 30 games played so far this season. He is in his fourth season with the Wheat Kings and a prime candidate for moving up to compete for a spot on the Hershey Bears blueline in September.
By Jon Sorensen