Game Preview: Round 1, Game 2 vs Edmonton
SETTING IT UP:
The Prince Albert Raiders look for some payback tonight as they host the Edmonton Oil Kings for Game Two of the 2025 WHL Playoffs Presented by Nutrien. Edmonton took Game One at the Art Hauser Centre last night by a 3-1 final. Gracyn Sawchyn scored twice, while Landon Hanson had the other goal for the visitors. Max Hildebrand stopped 37 of 39 shots he faced in the loss, while Alex Worthington stopped 31 of 32 in the win for Edmonton.
CROCKER GETS GOING EARLY:
Niall Crocker scored the only goal for the Raiders in last night’s loss. With 1:26 left in the first period, he found the back of the net for the fourth time in his WHL Playoff career, after scoring three goals in the first round last year vs Saskatoon.
EAST DIVISION CHAMPS:
It came all the way down to game 68, but the Raiders will be raising at least one banner this season. A 4-3 win over the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday night made the Art Hauser Centre filled with 3,264 fans erupt. Lukas Dragicevic’s powerplay goal with 3:01 left in regulation stood as the game winner, as Prince Albert clinched first place in the division for the first time since 2019-20.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
| Raiders Playoff Stats |
| Goals For: 1 |
| Goals Against: 3 |
| Shots For: 32 |
| Shots Against: 40 |
| Powerplay: 0/7 (0.0%) |
| Penalty Kill: 0/3 (100.0%) |
UP NEXT:
The scene shifts to Rogers Place in Edmonton for Game 3 and Game 4 of first round playoff action next week. The Raiders will visit the Oil Kings on Tuesday and Wednesday night, hopefully heading there with the series split after tonight’s outcome. If the Raiders win tonight, they are guaranteed to come back to the Art Hauser Centre on Friday night for Game 5.
