Game Story: Game 68 @ Saskatoon
SETTING IT UP:
The second of at least six consecutive meetings between the Raiders and Blades goes down tonight at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon for each team’s final game of the regular season. Saskatoon got the better of Prince Albert last night, winning by a 5-1 final. Aiden Oiring scored the opening goal of the game 1:35 into the first period, but the Blades took over from there, scoring five straight goals on their way to the win. On the other hand, the Raiders clinched a playoff spot last night, after the Calgary Hitmen lost to the Swift Current Broncos. The green and gold will finish the season in the eight seed, and will start a best of seven playoff series against the number one ranked Blades next week.
THE SEASON SERIES:
The Blades have had the upper hand on the Raiders all season long, like they have on many other teams in the WHL this season. The Raiders are 2-6-0-1 against Saskatoon this season, with both of their wins coming in shootouts. Sloan Stanick leads the Raiders in scoring against their highway 11 rivals, with nine points in nine games. Brandon Lisowsky leads the way for the Blades with 11 points in as many games this season.
MILESTONE WATCH:
A three point night from Ryder Ritchie on Wednesday brought the 17-year-old winger one point away from 100 in his WHL career. Ritchie scored a goal and added two assists as part of the 5-1 win over the Pats.
Niall Crocker is just two points shy of 100 in his WHL career, sitting at 98 career points in 219 games.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Raiders Season Stats |
Goals For: 215 |
Goals Against: 216 |
Shots For: 2,117 |
Shots Against: 2,142 |
Powerplay: 60/254 (23.6%) |
Penalty Kill: 192/243 (78.8%) |
UP NEXT:
The Raiders will get ready to head back to Saskatoon next week for game one of the playoffs.