Game Preview: Round 1, Game 2 @ SAS
SETTING IT UP:
The Raiders enter game two of tonight’s best of seven series with the Saskatoon Blades up 1-0 in the series. That’s thanks to a 4-3 win in Saskatoon last night at SaskTel Centre. After trailing 2-0, Prince Albert stormed back to score four straight to go up 4-2. A late goal from the Blades was not enough, as a 41 save performance by Max Hildebrand gave the Raiders the win in the first game of the WHL Playoffs. These two clubs are right back at it, same place and time, with a 7pm puck drop at SaskTel Centre.
A BOATLOAD OF FIRSTS:
A pile of Raiders picked up career firsts in last night’s victory. Aiden Oiring, Easton Kovacs, Ryder Ritchie, and Niall Crocker all scored their first career playoff goals. Max Hildebrand notched his first career playoff victory, while Luke Moroz, Oli Chenier, Grady Martin, and Justice Christensen all tallied their first career playoff points, as they all picked up assists on Thursday.
BEST CASE SCENARIO:
Prince Albert’s game one win meant the club will bring the series back home with at least a split on the road. Against the number one team in the WHL, teams would take that any day of the week. The Raiders still have a chance to beat them again on the road tonight, with the possibility of bringing home a 2-0 series lead.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Raiders Playoff Stats |
Goals For: 4 |
Goals Against: 3 |
Shots For: 20 |
Shots Against: 44 |
Powerplay: 2/3 (66.7%) |
Penalty Kill: 4/5 (80.0%) |
UP NEXT:
The scene shifts to the Art Hauser Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday for games three and four of the first round. Game three on Tuesday will feature a pregame tailgate barbecue with Lake Country Co-op, with the money raised on the barbecue being donated to the Raiders Education Fund. Puck drop for every game this series is 7pm.