Game Preview: Game 40 vs Seattle

SETTING IT UP: The Raiders (14-22-3-0) wrap up their five game homestand tonight when they host the Seattle Thunderbirds (29-6-1-1) at the Art Hauser Centre. It will be the final meeting with a U.S. Division team this year for the Raiders, and it will also be the toughest one, as the Thunderbirds come in to tonight’s game ranked as the number one team in the entire CHL. The Raiders saw a brief two game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday night with a 5-3 loss to the Portland Winterhawks. It was a game that was tied 3-3 late in the third, but a goal with two minutes left, and another scored into an empty net gave Portland their first win on their East Division road swing. Meanwhile for the T-Birds, they will be playing their fifth out of six games out east. They started strong with a 6-0 win in Regina, before dropping two straight to Moose Jaw and Brandon. However, they were able to pick things back up with a massive 4-3 overtime win in Winnipeg, against a team chasing right behind them for first place in the league, and first place in the CHL rankings. Prince Albert’s toughest test of the season begins tonight with a 7pm puck drop.

THE CAPTAIN’S BACK IN TOWN: Tonight marks the first time that Nolan Allan will play at the Art Hauser Centre since the trade that sent the defenceman to Seattle in November. The former captain may possibly be playing in his final game in Prince Albert, and their will be a big crowd tonight at the game to welcome him back home. On top of that, the Raiders will honour Nolan with a video tribute during a stoppage in the first period, thanking him for his time with the club.

NOT SLOWING DOWN: Despite the brakes being put on a seven game point streak, Ryder Ritchie picked up right where he left off on Tuesday against the Winterhawks. The rookie forward had a goal in the defeat, and now has 16 points over his last 15 games.

ROOKIE SCORING: Along with Ritchie, rookie 16-year-olds Cole Peardon, Grady Martin, and Seth Tansem all got in on the scoresheet, registering a goal or an assist each. It’s the first time this season that all four rookies have picked up at least one point in the same game.

GOALIE CAROUSEL: The decision of who to start in goal on any given night has been a tough choice for Raiders head coach Jeff Truitt. While Max Hildebrand was awarded goalie of the week honours last week, Tikhon Chaika has also been playing well. Chaika got the start on Tuesday night, and while it wasn’t in winning fashion, some saves he made in the game, especially the first period, kept his team in the game for as long as they were. In this case, that’s a good problem to have for coach Truitt.

UP NEXT: The Raiders will head to Alberta on Saturday for their final meeting with Edmonton.