Hitmen Fall to Raiders in Tight Battle in Prince Albert
Prince Albert, SK – Playing the first of two straight games in Saskatchewan, the Calgary Hitmen dropped a 4-3 decision to the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday night at Art Hauser Centre.
It was Teddy Bear and Toque Toss night where the Raiders opened the scoring 9:56 into the opening period on goal from Justice Christensen. A 5-on-3 powerplay marker from Lukas Dragicevic 33 seconds into the second period extended the lead before Krzysztof Macias built the hometown advantage to 3-0.
Calgary would then mount a surge of their own as David Adaszynski in the middle frame followed by third period goals from Connor Hvidston and Oliver Tulk pulled the Hitmen even. Tulk’s goal with 5:21 remaining extended his goal-scoring streak to seven games while Ben Kindel drew an assist to push his point streak to a team leading 10 games.
The outcome was then decided in the final five minutes as the Raiders were awarded a late powerplay and with 4:08 left Niall Crocker tucked home a rebound which stood up to be the game winner.
The Hitmen outshot Prince Albert 42-31 in the first of four regular season meetings between the two clubs.
Calgary wraps up this two-game trip tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 7 in Saskatoon against the Blades. Game time is 6:00 p.m. (M.T.) at SaskTel Centre. The Hitmen will then play three-straight at home prior to their eight-day holiday break, beginning Friday, Dec. 13 against the Kamloops Blazers. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.
