Game Preview: Round 1 Game 4 vs Saskatoon
SETTING IT UP:
The Raiders and Blades square off for game four of their first round playoff series tonight. Saskatoon took a 2-1 series lead after a 4-3 overtime win last night at the Art Hauser Centre. Easton Armstrong led the Blades to the win, scoring a hat trick, including the overtime winner. Tonight, the Raiders will look to even the series heading into Friday’s game five meeting in Saskatoon. A loss tonight would put them on the verge of elimination heading back into hostile territory.
RAIDER LEADERS:
Ryder Ritchie has led all Raiders in scoring this postseason, with five points (3G-2A) in three games. The sophomore winger scored a goal and added an assist last night. Right behind him is Sloan Stanick, who’s two assist performance last night put him up to four points in the playoffs, after he led the team in regular season scoring. Max Hildebrand has a 3.66 GAA and a .899 SV% through three playoff games, and will look to lead Prince Albert to a win tonight, which would level the series at two games apiece.
HOME ICE ADVANTAGE:
While the Raiders didn’t pick up the win last night, the crowd at the Art Hauser Centre was electric. Nearly 3,000 fans filled the seats and standing room inside the building, and were buzzing, from every chance the Raiders got to every penalty called against them. That kind of support will be needed at home once again tonight, as the hometown faithful will look to help push the Raiders to a game five and a tied series.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Raiders Playoff Stats |
Goals For: 8 |
Goals Against: 11 |
Shots For: 73 |
Shots Against: 109 |
Powerplay: 4/12 (33.3%) |
Penalty Kill: 10/15 (66.7%) |
UP NEXT:
The series shifts back to Saskatoon on Friday night for game five of the best of seven series between highway 11 rivals. If necessary, game six will be back in Prince Albert on Saturday night, and game seven will be on Monday night at SaskTel Centre.