Fortin notches first WHL shutout in 5-0 Raiders win over Broncos
The Prince Albert Raiders not only managed to sweep the Swift Current Broncos in a weekend home and home series, they managed to shut them out in both games. On Saturday night in Swift Current, the Raiders took down the Broncos by a 5-0 final. Making 18 saves in the win, Dimitri Fortin recorded his first career WHL shutout.
It only took 2:39 into the game for the Raiders to strike first, and they did so on the first powerplay of the game. At the point, Daxon Rudolph and Justice Christensen played catch. The 17-year-old Rudolph swung a pass to the left wing for the Raiders captain, and Christensen sent a pass right back to Rudolph at the blue line. Rudolph took a hard shot, and the puck beat all the traffic in front of the net, including Broncos netminder Joey Rocha. Rudolph’s third goal of the season gave Prince Albert an early 1-0 lead.
After a point shot from Caleb Potter was blocked by Riley Boychuk, that allowed the Raiders to regroup and set up another scoring chance. Max Heise picked the puck up in his own end and skated it all the way across the Broncos blue line. He dropped a pass to his right for Boychuk, who took a shot that was turned aside by Rocha. Alisher Sarkenov came bearing down towards the net, and was able to bury the rebound chance to pick up his second goal of the season to make it a 2-0 game.
In the second period, the Raiders scored twice more to take a commanding 4-0 lead after 40 minutes. Brayden Dube scored his fifth goal of the season at the 9:17 mark to make it a 3-0 game. After there was a battle for the puck along the right wall in the Broncos zone, Evan Smith and Christensen played it free for Dube. From the high slot, he let go a sizzler of a wrist shot, and it beat Rocha clean on the blocker side.
With 3:47 to go in the middle frame, Sarkenov found the back of the net for the second time in the game. A shot from Dube in the left circle was tipped in front by Oli Chenier, but the puck didn’t reach the net. Instead, it popped out beside the crease, where Sarkenov was able to find it on his forehand to beat Rocha glove side.
Heading into the third period, the Raiders held a comfortable 4-0 lead, while outshooting the Broncos 28-14.
Just one goal was scored in the third period, as Jonah Sivertson cashed in on the powerplay for Prince Albert, making it a 5-0 lead with 2:33 left in regulation.
The Raiders return home next weekend for a pair of games. First up is a matchup with the Calgary Hitmen on Friday, October 31, followed by a game against the Moose Jaw Warriors at the Art Hauser Centre on Saturday, November 1.
