Leavitt Machinery Preview – Game 30 vs. Kamloops
RAIDER REVIEW: The Raiders (11-11-5-2) welcome the Kamloops Blazers (13-15-0-0) to the Art Hauser Centre for their biennial visit to Prince Albert on Canadian Tire Teddy Bear Toss Night. On Wednesday, the Raiders were dropped 5-4 in a shootout by the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Art Hauser Centre. Jordy Stallard potted a pair of power-play goals. Vojtech Budik and Eric Pearce also scored for the Raiders. Ian Scott made 33 saves in a losing effort. The Raiders were unable to solve goaltender Jordan Hollett in the shootout as the Tigers’ ‘tender turned aside both Stallard and Curtis Miske.
VS. KAMLOOPS: This is the only time the Raiders and the Blazers will face off this season. Last year, the Raiders dropped a 5-2 game in Kamloops at the Sandman Centre. In the Blazers’ last trip to Prince Albert, Kamloops knocked off the Raiders 5-2. The Raiders haven’t beat the Blazers in Prince Albert since Dec. 13, 2011. The Blazers have won four of the last five meetings against the Raiders.
VS. BC DIVISION: The Raiders have taken three of a possible four points from the BC Division so far this season. Prince Albert lost in overtime to the Vancouver Giants on Oct. 17 and defeated the Victoria Royals on Oct. 25.
TEDDY BEAR TOSS: Tonight is the Canadian Tire Teddy Bear Toss, which benefits the Victoria Regional Hospital and the Salvation Army. Last year, Austin Glover scored the goal that launched the bears 32 seconds into the second period. Also, the Blazers were the Raiders’ Teddy Bear Toss opponent during the 2015-16 season. Jesse Lees was the first Raider to score, beating Connor Ingram with 6:32 left in the first period.
FIVE ALIVE: Five is the magic number between the Raiders and the Blazers. In four of the past six matchups, the winning team has scored five goals, including the last three contests. The Blazers have won the last two games 5-2, while the Raiders beat the Blazers 5-4 during the 2014-15 season.
HARDEST WORKING PLAYER: Raiders centre Jordy Stallard was named the Lionel Diehl Memorial Hardest Working Player for the month of November. The Winnipeg Jets draft pick led the team with 13 points (eight goals and five assists) in 12 games played last month. With two goals on Wednesday night, Stallard tied his career high of 21 set during the 2015-16 season with the Calgary Hitmen. He is eight points shy of tying his career high of 49.
NEXT UP: The Raiders hit the road again for the next two games, beginning on Sunday afternoon against the Saskatoon Blades at the SaskTel Centre. Game time is 2:05 p.m. The next Raiders’ home game is on Wednesday night when the Lethbridge Hurricanes storm into Prince Albert. Puck drop is 7 p.m. Tickets are available at raiderhockey.com, the Raider Office, or by calling 306-764-5348.