Game Preview: March 3 vs Red Deer

SETTING IT UP:

The Prince Albert Raiders (45-8-5-1) kick off the final month of the regular season tonight as they host the Red Deer Rebels (22-32-2-2). If the playoffs were to begin today, this would be the first round matchup, with the Raiders in first place in the Eastern Conference and the Rebels in eighth. The Raiders picked up a 4-3 win over the Prince George Cougars on Saturday night, while the Rebels won 4-2 at home over the Swift Current Broncos.

BC DIVISION DONE:

With their win over the Cougars on Saturday, Prince Albert’s schedule against BC Division opponents is now done. The Raiders went and impressive 5-0-0-1 against the division this season.

RAIDERS SCORING RACE HEATS UP:

With nine games left in the season, the race for the Raiders scoring title is coming down to the wire. Three Raiders (Aiden Oiring, Brandon Gorzynski, & Daxon Rudolph) are all tied with 66 points heading into tonight’s game.

SIVERTSON SHINING IN ROOKIE YEAR:

Jonah Sivertson is enjoying a stellar rookie season, and is on pace for something that hasn’t been done in Raiders history in nearly 20 years. He could finish the season with the most goals by a Raider rookie since the 2006-07 campaign. While his 21 goals are still 16 back of tying Matt Robertson’s mark in the 2006-07 season, Sivertson could surpass names like Krzysztof Macias and Ilya Usau, and he’s currently tied with Leon Draisaitl’s 21 tallies from the 2012-13 season. Todd Fiddler, who had 23 goals as a rookie in 2010-11, is next in sight for Sivertson.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

Brandon Gorzynski: 2 goals away from 50

Linden Burrett: 5 games away from 100

Justice Christensen: 9 points away from 150

UP NEXT:

A three game Albert road trip is next on the docket for the Raiders. They’ll visit the Calgary Hitmen on Friday night, Red Deer on Saturday, and then wrap the trip up on Sunday in Edmonton.