Rudolph sets franchise record, Raiders beat Warriors 6-1
The Prince Albert Raiders had goals from three defencemen and three forwards on Monday night, as they tamed the Moose Jaw Warriors 6-1 on Monday afternoon at the Art Hauser Centre.
It took a while for the first goals to be scored, but the Raiders were able to score twice in the final four minutes of the first to jump ahead. Brock Cripps scored his fifth goal of the season with 3:21 left in the opening frame, displaying a terrific end to end rush. Starting from behind his own net, Cripps skated all the way up to the Warriors blue line before trading a quick give and go pass with Alisher Sarkenov. Cripps took the puck back from Sarkenov and moved down the left wing near the goal line, before cutting in and roofing a shortside shot over Chase Wutzke’s right shoulder. The unbelievable goal opened the scoring for Prince Albert, as they jumped ahead 1-0.
The Raiders struck again with five seconds left in the first, as Daxon Rudolph made Raider history. He took a beautiful pass from Aiden Oiring, firing a one timer past Wutzke to make it 2-0 on his 24th goal of the season. It was also his 12th powerplay goal, setting a new Raiders franchise record for the most powerplay goals by a defenceman in a single season.
Rudolph’s late tally gave the Raiders some breathing room after 20 minutes, as they led 2-0 heading into the intermission.
Linden Burrett scored the only goal in the second period, giving Prince Albert a 3-0 lead 4:27 into the frame. The defenceman took a pass from Max Heise, and from the right circle, he fired a shot far side past Wutzke to score his seventh goal of the season.
Things were looking good for the Raiders after 40 minutes, as they were ahead by a trio of goals.
Rounding out the third period scoring, Evan Smith and Alisher Sarkenov struck just under five minutes apart to open up a 5-0 Raiders lead.
Riley Thorpe snapped Michal Orsulak’s shutout bid with 57 seconds left in the third period, snapping a shot home on a Warriors powerplay to make it 5-1.
Ben Harvey was awarded a penalty shot with 19 seconds left in the game, and the rookie made no mistake, beating Wutzke glove side to make it a 6-1 final.
It’s the second win in a row for Prince Albert, who will head to Moose Jaw on Friday night to conclude a home and home set.
