RECAP: Hitmen Defeat Conference Leading Raiders in Thrilling Overtime Win
Prince Albert, SK – The Calgary Hitmen earned two points in a thrilling overtime victory against the Eastern Conference leading Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday night.
A resilient Hitmen squad tied the game on three separate occasions before taking its first lead of the night in the third period.
The Raiders opened the scoring with a goal from Aidan Oiring, but the lead was short lived as Kale Dach tied the game on the power play just two minutes later. Ben Harvey restored Prince Albert’s advantage, giving the Raiders a 2-1 lead heading into the middle frame.
Julien Maze wasted no time evening the score once again, striking just 1:29 into the second period. Maddix McCagherty responded for the Raiders to make it 3-2, but Hunter Aura answered with a slapshot from the point to tie the game. Ethan Moore then gave Calgary its first lead of the night, making it 4-3 heading into the final frame.
With 5:40 remaining in regulation, Braeden Cootes tied the game for Prince Albert, forcing overtime.
Julien Maze played the hero in the extra frame, sniping his second goal of the night 3:25 into overtime to secure the win. Maze (2G,1A) earned first star honours with his three point performance, while Hunter Aura was named a star for the second straight game after recording a goal and an assist.
Calgary’s record improves to 27-13-6-1, keeping them in fourth position in the Eastern Conference.
The Hitmen Road trip uses tomorrow as a travel day to Manitoba before facing the Wheat Kings in Brandon on Friday, Feb. 6 (7:00 p.m.). The journey then wraps up in Regina on Saturday, Feb. 7 against the Pats (6:00 p.m.). Calgary is then back home on Wednesday, Feb. 11 to host the Swift Current Broncos in a 7:00 p.m. start at Scotiabank Saddledome.
