Blades even first round series after 4-1 win over Raiders
The Prince Albert Raiders were forced to settle for a road split in the start of their best of seven series with the Saskatoon Blades, as they fell by a 4-1 final in game two on Friday night at SaskTel Centre. In his first career playoff start, Blades goaltender Evan Gardner was the biggest difference maker in the game, stopping 31 of 32 shots.
The Raiders outshot the Blades 13-7 in the opening period, but Saskatoon scored the only goal to go up 1-0 after 20 minutes. Alex Suzdalev dropped a pass for John Babcock at the point, and the Blades defenceman let a long range shot go. The puck sizzled its way through traffic, and got by a screened Max Hildebrand, as he just missed it with his glove. Babcock’s goal put the home side up 1-0 just 2:02 into the contest.
It was almost a 2-0 game a eight minutes later, but Hildebrand made his best stop of the period on a Blades rush. Trevor Wong sent a cross ice pass to the tape of Egor Sidorov, who ripped a one timer. Hildebrand was better, making a huge glove side sliding from his right to left, and keeping it a 1-0 game.
The Raiders had their fair share of chances to tie the game, including having the only powerplay of the opening frame, but Evan Gardner stood tall to the task in goal for the Blades, stopping all 13 shots he faced. His best save came on Niall Crocker, who was stopped point blank in the Saskatoon crease on a forehand try.
With one period in the books, the Raiders found themselves in the same spot they were in after one period last night, trailing 1-0 heading into the second.
Saskatoon scored early again in the second period, taking a 2-0 lead at the 3:15 mark. After Grady Martin was sent to the penalty box for tripping, the Blades only needed five seconds of powerplay time to score. After a faceoff win, Egor Sidorov roofed a perfect backhand shot off the crossbar and in for his third goal of the series. The referees reviewed the goal, but it would stand, as Saskatoon doubled their lead.
Both goaltenders were solid again in the middle frame, as Hildeband made 11 second period saves, while Gardner stopped all nine shots he saw from the Raiders.
In the dying seconds of the middle frame, the Raiders bench erupted as the hit of the night was delivered. With Sidorov carrying the puck out of his own end, Eric Johnston stepped up and delivered a booming open ice hit, similar to the one Justice Christensen dealt last night in the neutral zone.
The hit was a late spark, but Prince Albert would enter the third period trailing by a pair.
4:16 into the third period, Saskatoon scored another powerplay goal to take a commanding 3-0 lead. A one time by Sidorov at the right circle deflected in off of Armstrong’s skate and found the back of the net. Armstrong’s first goal of the playoffs made it a three goal game, with all of Saskatoon’s goals coming in the first five minutes of each period.
The Blades scored their third powerplay goal of the game with 5:36 left in regulation, as Tyler Parr scored his first goal of the playoffs. A shot from Fraser Minten was eventually finished by Parr, as he found the back of the net, giving Saskatoon a 4-0 lead.
The Raiders broke the shutout bid with 46 seconds left in regulation, as they scored a powerplay goal to get on the board. A hard pass from the right circle by Ryder Ritchie was tipped on goal by Sloan Stanick, but Gardner made a right pad save. Jumping on the rebound was Crocker, as he was able to bury his second goal of the playoffs to make it a 4-1 game.
That would end up being the final on Friday night, as the Blades were able to tie the series up on home ice. The series shifts to the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert for game three on Tuesday night, where the Raiders will look to use home ice to their advantage. Puck drop is at 7pm. Game sponsor Lake Country Co-op will be there at 5pm for a pregame tailgate with a barbecue near the front doors. Money raised will be donated to the Raiders Education Fund.
