Raiders beat Blades 4-0 to take 3-0 series lead
The Prince Albert Raiders are one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference final. They took down the Saskatoon Blades 4-0 on Tuesday night at SaskTel Centre to take a 3-0 series lead in their second round matchup.
The Raiders were able to get on the board on their first shot of the game, as Brandon Gorzynski opened the scoring 3:19 into the first. From center ice, Daxon Rudolph sent a hard pass ahead down the right wing to Aiden Oiring. The 20-year-old stopped up along the wall and forwarded the puck ahead to Brayden Dube. From the right circle, Dube threw the puck in front, where Gorzynski deflected it over Evan Gardner’s left shoulder from just outside the crease. It was Gorzynski’s fourth goal of the playoffs, and second of the series, as he made it a 1-0 game.
Braeden Cootes scored twice in the second period to push Prince Albert’s lead to 3-0. Just 1:04 into the frame, he was given a breakaway pass from Alisher Sarkenov, and beat Evan Gardner blocker side. It was his third goal of the playoffs to make it a 2-0 game. At the 5:46 mark, the Vancouver Canucks prospect struck again. After collecting the loose puck at center ice, Cootes used his speed to gain entry into the Blades zone down the right wing. He made a terrific move from his left to his right to find space around Kaden Allan, and wired a sharp angle shot over Gardner’s left shoulder. His second of the night rounded out the second period scoring, as the Raiders took a 3-0 lead into the third.
Prince Albert killed off four straight penalties in the game; two in the second and two in the third period to go a perfect 4/4 on the PK. The Blades were given a powerplay in the final minute, but Evan Smith scored a shorthanded empty net goal to put Prince Albert up 4-0.
Michal Orsulak was perfect once again in goal, notching his second straight shutout with 23 saves on the night. It’s his third shutout of the postseason, as the 4-0 win brought the Raiders one win away from the third round, as they lead their second round series 3-0.
Prince Albert has a chance to sweep Saskatoon in game four tomorrow night at SaskTel Centre. Puck drops at 7pm.
