Game Preview: January 9 vs Swift Current
SETTING IT UP:
The Prince Albert Raiders (27-5-4-0) begin a three game homestand tonight as they host the Swift Current Broncos (9-27-2-0). The Raiders look to push their current winning streak to six games, against a Broncos team that they’ve defeated twice in the last week two weeks by a 15-1 scoring differential.
DEALS AT THE DEADLINE:
The Prince Albert Raiders made a pair of trades this week ahead of yesterday’s trade deadline. One of the deals sent Oli Chenier to Lethbridge for a fourth round pick. The second was a blockbuster, as the Raiders acquired forward Braeden Cootes from the Seattle Thunderbirds as part of a 12 piece deal. The only current roster player that went to the T-Birds was Ethan Bibeau.
CAGS SETS CAREER HIGH:
With a late assist added from a previous game this season, Raiders forward Maddix McCagherty has set a new career high for points in a season. The Kelowna, BC product has 30 points this season (11G-19A), split evenly at 15 with the Wenatchee Wild and 15 as a Raider.
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: 3 goals away from 50
Riley Boychuk: Playing in 100th game tonight
Braeden Cootes: Two games away from 150
Brandon Gorzynski: 9 points away from 100
UP NEXT:
The Raiders get right back at it at home against the Edmonton Oil Kings tomorrow night. After that, they’ll host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday. Next weekend, they’re on the road in Alberta with stops in Lethbridge on Friday and Medicine Hat Saturday.
