Raiders outplay Tigers, but fall 2-1 in overtime in game three
The Prince Albert Raiders were all over the Medicine Hat Tigers in game three on Tuesday night at Co-op Place. Unfortunately, the hockey gods were not on their side, as the Tigers won by a 2-1 final in overtime to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Raiders came up clutch defensively to start the game, as they killed off two Medicine Hat powerplays. A Benett Kelly delay of game penalty was dissolved in the first five minutes, while the Raiders also killed off a Daxon Rudolph hooking call at the 12:38 mark.
With 4:27 to go in the first, Rudolph made up for his penalty, scoring the game’s first goal. This was during four on four play, with Justice Christensen and Cam Parr in the box for offsetting roughing calls. Aiden Oiring won a faceoff in the Tigers zone that Brayden Dube poked up top to Rudolph at the blue line. The defenceman carried the puck to the slot and fired a backhand shot that Jordan Switzer shrugged away. Rudolph was first to the rebound though as he outbattled Jonas Woo, and he chipped the puck over Switzer’s shoulder this time and into the back of the net. It was Rudolph’s sixth goal of the playoffs, putting Prince Albert up 1-0 heading into the second period.
The first 14 minutes of the second started without a goal, but the Tigers were able to tie the game on the powerplay with 3:53 to go. On their third powerplay of the game, the second unit for the Tigers found a goal on their first powerplay shift of the game. From the blue line, Kade Stengrim beat Michal Orsulak glove side, firing his sixth goal of the playoffs home through traffic.
Despite giving up the only goal of the period, the Raiders arguably outplayed the Tigers in the second period, outshooting them 14-9 in the middle frame, and 27-17 overall. However, with 20 minutes left, the two teams were locked up at 1-1.
After a scoreless third period sent game three to overtime, Liam Ruck scored the overtime winner at the 4:07 mark, giving the Tigers a 2-1 win and a 2-1 series lead.
Game four of the Eastern Conference Championship series goes tomorrow night at Co-op Place. Puck drops at 7pm.
