Raiders fall 5-2 to Silvertips; trail series 3-1
The Prince Albert Raiders now have their backs against the wall. They fell 5-2 to the Everett Silvertips on Wednesday night at the Art Hauser Centre, and now trail the WHL Championship Series 3-1.
For the fourth straight game, the Silvertips opened the scoring in the series, getting on the board just 32 seconds into the game. After Michal Orsulak had some trouble handing a soft dribbler from Matias Vanhanen, Julius Miettinen crashed to the net to bang home the rebound. It was his 14th goal of the playoffs, and fourth of the series, giving Everett a 1-0 lead.
With 10:07 left in the second, Brandon Gorzynski made his mark on the game in his return to the lineup. A point shot from Linden Burrett was deflected on the way through by Riley Boychuk, and the puck bounced straight onto Gorzynski’s tape. Right in front of the crease, the 18-year-old winger batted home his fifth goal of the playoffs, tying the game at 1-1.
After Prince Albert failed to capitalize on back to back powerplays, the Silvertips scored on their own powerplay with 1:17 left in the middle frame. This time, it was Miettinen setting up the goal, as he fed a cross crease pass to Rylan Gould, who tipped home his sixth goal of the playoffs five hole through Orsulak.
The late goal was the last one in the frame, as the Silvertips took a 2-1 lead into the third period.
Everett made good on another powerplay, this time striking just 4:24 into the third. From the slot, Carter Bear snapped a shot glove side past Orsulak to make it a 3-1 game, as he picked up his seventh goal of the playoffs.
Just over two minutes later, the Raiders responded. From the right wall, Justice Christensen worked his way down low, and fired a low shot on goal that fooled Miller. Christensen was credited with his fourth goal of the postseason, giving the Raiders some life as he made it 3-2.
Right after that, adversity struck. Aiden Oiring tried to tuck a shot past Miller on his left post, but the Silvertips goaltender got across to get his toe on it. The puck was still loose and eventually came to the slot for Benett Kelly, who fired home a slapshot. That should have tied the game, except for the fact that the whistle had blown prior to Kelly’s goal. That negated the tying tally, as the Silvertips remained in front 3-2. After a replay, it looked like Oiring’s wrap try may have crossed completely over the goal line, but the call of no goal on the ice stood.
Moments later, the Raiders had a rush in the offensive zone again. This time, Owen Corkish swatted a backhand shot into the back of the net, but this would be waved off as well. Goalie interference would be the call, as a Silvertip made contact with Miller in the crease, but it was determined that a Raider initiated the contact.
Of course, with back to back goals waved off, it seemed fitting that Everett would grab the game’s next goal. Shea Busch buried a cross crease pass from Zackary Shantz, making it a 4-2 game with 9:40 left in regulation. Matias Vanhanen would add an empty netter with 2:25 to go, sealing a 5-2 Silvertips win.
Everett now has a 3-1 series lead. Game five is Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drops at 7:30.
