Game Day: October 9 vs Spokane
SETTING IT UP:
The Raiders (1-2-2-0) search for their first win on home ice of the season as they welcome the Spokane Chiefs to the Art Hauser Centre. Prince Albert will try to snap a three game losing streak as well, after dropping a 3-2 overtime decision to the Everett Silvertips on Friday night. Spokane enters tonight’s game on a four game winning streak, and are playing the first game of their East Division road trip. They’re near the top of the league with 27 goals for, and a powerplay clicking at 32%, which is also near the top of the league lead. On the other hand, they find themselves shorthanded a lot, as their 102 penalty minutes is the second highest in the WHL.
KEY RETURN:
Krzysztof Macias is back in Prince Albert. The Polish import returned from AHL camp, and practiced with the Raiders for the first time on Tuesday. He has a two game suspension to serve after a penalty he took in game five of the first round of the playoffs last season, so he won’t be in the lineup tonight. He is expected to make his season debut on Monday in Kelowna.
ROSTER CHANGES:
Prince Albert made a few changes to the roster this week, releasing defencemen Norwin Panocha and Cedricson Okitundu. A trade with the Prince George Cougars saw an eighth round pick sent out west, and import defenceman Vojtech Vochvest traded to Prince Albert. Vochvest is expected to make his Raider debut on Saturday night against his former team in Prince George. The team also called up defenceman Benett Kelly for tonight’s game. With Macias back, the release of Okitundu put the Raiders down to the league max of three overage players.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Raiders Regular Season Stats |
Goals For: 15 |
Goals Against: 19 |
Shots For: 171 |
Shots Against: 140 |
Powerplay: 4/20 (25.0%) |
Penalty Kill: 19/25 (76.0%) |
UP NEXT:
The Raiders won’t be at home for another 16 days after tonight. The team heads off on their BC road trip which will feature five stops. They return home on October 25th against Seattle.