Game Preview: Round 1, Game 5 @ Saskatoon
SETTING IT UP:
Saskatoon took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Raiders after a 4-1 win in game four on Wednesday night at the Art Hauser Centre. Easton Armstrong scored his fifth goal of the postseason, while Misha Volotovskii had a goal and an assist in the win. Evan Gardner stopped 15 of 16 shots in the win for the Blades, while Raiders goaltender Max Hildebrand stopped 32 shots in the loss. Ryder Ritchie scored Prince Albert’s lone goal of the contest.
DO OR DIE:
With their backs against the wall, the Raiders will have to win game five on the road tonight in order to bring the series back to the Art Hauser Centre for game six. In the first game of the playoffs, the Raiders came out on top at SaskTel Centre, emerging as 4-3 winners to open the series. Since then, the Blades have won three straight, and can close out the series on home ice.
RITCHIE’S ROLLING:
Through four playoff games, Ryder Ritchie has arguably been Prince Albert’s best player. In his first WHL playoff series, the sophomore winger has three goals and three assists, leading the team in points. All three of his goals in the postseason have come on the powerplay.
FIRST TO FOUR:
The team who has scored four goals has won every game this series (4-3 PA, 4-1 SAS, 4-3 SAS OT, 4-1 SAS).
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Raiders Playoff Stats |
Goals For: 9 |
Goals Against: 15 |
Shots For: 89 |
Shots Against: 145 |
Powerplay: 5/14 (35.7%) |
Penalty Kill: 11/17 (64.7%) |
UP NEXT:
If the Raiders can pull off a win tonight, the series will shift back to Prince Albert for game six on Saturday night at the Art Hauser Centre. If the Raiders also win game six, game seven will be played on Monday at SaskTel Centre. If the Raiders lose tonight, their season is over and players will be heading home.