Blades take 3-1 series lead after 4-1 win over Raiders in game four
The Prince Albert Raiders are on the verge of elimination in their first round playoff series, as they fell 4-1 to the Saskatoon Blades on Wednesday night at the Art Hauser Centre. The Blades now have a 3-1 series lead, and can win the series on Friday night back in Saskatoon.
It looked like the first period would end scoreless, but the Blades scored the game’s opening goal with 1.7 seconds left on the clock on their second powerplay of the game. After a shot from the left circle by Alexander Suzdalev was stopped by Max Hildebrand, Easton Armstrong jumped on the rebound in front of the crease and beat Hildebrand five hole, with his shot just trickling over the goal line. His fifth goal of the playoffs gave Saskatoon a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Saskatoon scored twice in the second period to take a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes of play. Exactly three minutes into the middle frame, Misha Volotovskii scored his first goal of the playoffs, throwing a puck on net from near the point. His shot fooled Hildebrand, and it gave the Blades a two goal lead.
3:03 later, Tanner Molendyk made it a three goal game, as he also scored his first goal of the postseason. After scoring earlier in the period, it was Volotovskii who set Molendyk up for the tally. From the left wing, Volotovskii sent a pass to the high slot for Molendyk, and the defenceman rocketed a one timer past Hildebrand low glove side.
After two periods, the Raiders had work to do, as they trailed 3-0 on the scoreboard, and were also outshot 25-11.
Ryder Ritchie got the Raiders on the board 4:02 into the third period, making it a two goal game. Skating down the left wing, the right handed Ritchie let go of a tough shot, tracking far side. The puck glanced off Evan Gardner’s glove and bounced over the goal line, giving Ritchie his third goal of the postseason. His tally made it a 3-1 game with a lot of time left to play.
Unfortunately, time ran out on Prince Albert, as Egor Sidorov sealed the deal with an empty net goal with 2:01 left in regulation to make it a 4-1 final.
The Raiders have their backs against the wall now, as they enter a must win game five in Saskatoon on Friday night. Puck drop from SaskTel Centre is 7pm.
