Hildebrand turns aside 52 in 3-2 overtime loss to Tigers
Max Hildebrand stopped 52 of 55 shots on Wednesday night, but the Prince Albert Raiders fell 3-2 in overtime to the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Art Hauser Centre. Prince Albert’s four game winning streak came to a halt, but they were able to manage to pick up a point in their fifth straight contest.
The Tigers opened the scoring 7:32 into the first, capitalizing on a three on two rush. Markus Ruck led the chance into the Raiders zone, sending a pass to the left wing for Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll. Spotting Liam Ruck cutting towards the crease, Gordon-Carroll sent him a pass through the legs of Tyrone Sobry. Ruck tapped it home for his fourth goal of the season to give Medicine Hat a 1-0 lead.
The Raiders tied things back up with 1:50 left in the first, as Aiden Oiring scored on the man advantage. With a scramble play in front of the Tigers net, the puck was loose for a few long seconds in front of Harrison Meneghin. Eventually, Oiring found the rebound and buried his eighth goal of the season. With the game tied, Meneghin had to be taken out of the game, as he was hurt on the goal. He had to be helped off the ice, as he showed discomfort in his leg, meaning Jordan Switzer came in relied between the pipes.
After 20 minutes, the two sides were tied 1-1 heading into the second period.
Medicine Hat got a fortunate bounce 12:14 into the third period to take the lead, as Gavin McKenna scored to grab the lead back for the Tigers. After a shot was stopped by Hildebrand, the rebound went below the goal line. McKenna grabbed the puck and fired a shot behind the net that hit Hildebrand’s pad and trickled in. McKenna notched his 15th goal of the season, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.
With time winding down in the game, Krzysztof Macias pulled the Raiders back to even terms, tying the game with 1:24 left on the clock. Taking a cross ice feed from Niall Crocker, Macias ripped a shot short side past Switzer, scoring in his third straight game. His fifth goal of the season brought the Art Hauser Centre back to life, as it became a 2-2 game, and would send things to overtime.
However, just 1:18 into the extra frame, the Tigers found the game winner. It was McKenna setting up Hunter St. Martin in the slot for a one timer, and St. Martin blasted a shot past Hildebrand who had no chance from point blank. The goal gave Medicine Hat a 3-2 win, handing the Raiders a single point in the loss.
The Raiders look to start a new winning streak on Saturday night against the Regina Pats. Saturday will mark the return of the Lake Country Cobra Chickens, as Prince Albert will wear the specialty jerseys for the first time since January 26, 2024. Puck drops at 7pm.
