Game Preview: March 18 vs Moose Jaw

Game Preview: March 18 vs Moose Jaw

SETTING IT UP:

The Raiders (36-23-5-1) start the final week of the regular season tonight at the Art Hauser Centre against the Moose Jaw Warriors (14-43-6-2). Prince Albert picked up two crucial weekend wins in Red Deer and Edmonton to keep pace with Brandon and Saskatoon in the East Division race. Moose Jaw has dropped their last three games, most recently a 5-4 overtime loss to Brandon on Saturday.

EAST DIVISION RACE:

With three games left to go in the regular season, the top spot in the East Division might not be clinched until the last game on Saturday night. A win tonight would temporarily put the Raiders back in first place, but that will only last 24 hours, as the Blades and Wheat Kings square off tomorrow night. The winner of that game would take over the top spot. After that, Brandon faces Regina twice to end their schedule, while the Blades and Raiders play each other twice on the weekend. It’s tough to say, but the Raiders should be cheering for Saskatoon on Wednesday in Brandon so the Wheat Kings don’t pull ahead, and control their own fate against the Blades on Friday and Saturday. The winner of the East Division is guaranteed home ice advantage in the first round of the WHL Playoffs.

IRON MEN:

If Justice Christensen, Brayden Dube, Aiden Oiring, and Ty Meunier play all three games this week, they will be the only players on the team to play all 68 regular season games.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

Justice Christensen: Two points away from 100 career, three games away from 200.

TALE OF THE TAPE:

UP NEXT: The Raiders and Blades play a home and home this week starting Friday in Saskatoon.