Game Preview: January 10 vs Edmonton
SETTING IT UP:
The Prince Albert Raiders (28-5-4-0) host the Edmonton Oil Kings (28-5-4-0) tonight in a battle between to clubs tied for second place in the Eastern Conference. Both teams enter tonight with 60 points, just one back of the Medicine Hat Tigers (61). The Raiders beat the Swift Current Broncos 6-1 last night, while the Oil Kings took down the Saskatoon Blades 3-1 on the road. With a win tonight, the Raiders could take over the top spot in the Eastern Conference, but they would need some help to do so, as the Tigers are hosting the Lethbridge Hurricanes tonight.
100 GAMES FOR CHUCK:
Raiders forward Riley Boychuk skated in his 100th WHL game on Friday against the Broncos. The 17-year-old picked up a pair of assists in the win. The Cochrane, AB product has 43 points this season (8G-35A). In his 100 game career, Boychuk has 22 goals and 50 assists for 72 points, a +18 rating, and 44 PIMS.
RUDOLPH’S STREAK EXTENDS AS HE CHASES HISTORY:
Daxon Rudolph now has points in 13 straight games, the fourth longest active streak in the WHL. He scored a goal and had an assist in the Raiders’ 6-1 win over Swift Current. With his goal, he is now 10 goals back of tying Josh Morrissey for the most goals scored by a Raiders defenceman in a single season in franchise history.
SPECIAL TEAMS WAS SPECIAL:
The Raiders went 4/5 on the powerplay in last night’s win. They now own the third best powerplay in the league, clicking at 31.9%. trailing only the Tigers (33.9%), and the Prince George Cougars (32.6%).
WORLD JUNIOR MEDALLISTS:
Matyas Man and Michal Orsulak came up just short in their pursuit for World Junior gold, as they fell to Sweden in the gold medal game. Still, the two Euro imports returned to Prince Albert with silver medals in a very entertaining final game. Meanwhile, Braeden Cootes captured bronze with Team Canada, as they beat Finland in the third place game.
UPCOMING MILESTONES:
Justice Christensen: 2 goals away from 50
Braeden Cootes: Playing in 150th WHL game tonight
Brandon Gorzynski: 7 points away from 100
UP NEXT:
The Raiders have a couple days off before hosting the Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday night.
