RAIDERS EXPERIENCE OUTLASTS BLADES YOUTH
Photo courtesy: Lucas Chudleigh / Prince Albert Raiders
PRINCE ALBERT, SK – No matter the difference in records, the Blades and Raiders are always are sure thing for a tough battle. Tonight was no different as the Blades played their final game at the Art Hauser Centre for the 2015-2016 season. It was another classic matchup between these bitter rivals, unfortunately the Blades were on the wrong end of it, losing 6-4 in heartbreaking fashion.
The 1st period saw the Raiders jump on the Blades as the rowdy Raider crowd was in fine form in their final home game of the regular season. Just 2:12 into the opening frame, Reid Gardiner snapped his 42nd of the year past Hamm to send the Raiders up 1-0.
Brock Hamm stood tall for the rest of the period before Mason McCarty brought the game even on his 18th of the season at 17:49 of the 1st. Rushing the puck up the ice, McCarty left the puck for Zajac who promptly dealt it back to McCarty who then tucked it over the glove of Rylan Parenteau.
The Blades looked to break the game wide open in the 2nd period, scoring three times in the game’s first 10 minutes. Wyatt Sloboshan got the party started just 20 seconds into the frame on a shot underneath the arm of Parenteau, extending his point streak to 4 games.
Sloboshan then got his 2nd of the night on a pretty passing play just as an Austin Glover tripping penalty expired. Dustin Perillat, working the point, fed the puck to Connor Gay who quickly chucked it across the ice to Sloboshan, one-timing the puck into the back of the net.
“I thought we came out and responded to what we were talking about,” said Assistant Coach Dean Brockman.
The Raiders would not lie down however, scoring two of their own just 30 seconds apart to bring the game within a goal heading into the 3rd period.
As is nearly every game in the Art Hauser Centre, the fans elevated their game and so did the Raiders in the 3rd period. Colton Olynek would tie the game just over 5 minutes into the final period, followed by Luke Coleman’s go ahead goal a minute later.
Trying to thwart a scoring chance by Coleman, Libor Hajek dove and knocked the puck off Coleman’s stick, unfortunately for the Blades, it slid just between Brock Hamm’s outstretched leg and the post, past the goal line. A gut wrenching goal for the Blades who saw their 4-1 lead turn into a 5-4 Raider lead.
“Not being able to close out a game is something that’s been a thing we’ve done all year and it’s frustrating,” said over ager Connor Gay.
“On the back end, I think we really showed our youth,” said Brockman on the team having two 17 year old, one sixteen year old, and one 15 year old on defence tonight. “They really came at us and we couldn’t handle their pressure.”
The Raiders would add a late 3rd period power play goal to extend their lead to 6-4, a score which ended up being the final. The season series now sits a 4-2-1 in favour of the Blades. It’s a strong positive to take into tomorrow’s season finale, knowing they can compete with a playoff bound team and especially one of their caliber.
The two teams have little time to digest what happened as they reunite at SaskTel Centre tomorrow night in the season finale. Game time is 7PM.
It’s Merlin Fan Appreciation Night where we will be giving away prizes every whistle. You also won’t want to miss the 50/50 as it starts at $50,000! Get your tickets at ticketmaster.ca or call the Blades office at 306-975-8844.
