Prairie Mobile / SaskTel Preview: Raiders vs. Warriors
PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS VS. MOOSE JAW WARRIORS | FEB. 19, 2016 | 7:00 PM
RAIDER REVIEW: In a tight battle for playoff positioning, the Prince Albert Raiders (31-20-5-1) will host the Moose Jaw Warriors in a pivotal match-up at the Art Hauser Centre on Friday night. The Raiders are looking to end a two-game skid that has seen them drop decisions against East Division rivals. In their last game on Wednesday night, Prince Albert was unable to overcome the Regina Pats despite a strong push in the final 40 minutes. Trailing by one mid way through the third period, the Raiders thought they had scored to tie the game. Tim Vanstone threw the puck towards the net where it camouflaged into the pants of Regina netminder Tyler Brown. The play was waved off and went to a video review before being called no goal. Regina would collect the only goal after that as they rounded out the scoring with an empty net marker. The Brandon Wheat Kings lead the division with an eight-point edge on the Raiders, while Moose Jaw sits in third place trailing Prince Albert by only two points.
VS. MOOSE JAW: Friday’s game is the sixth of eight regular season match-ups between the Raiders and Warriors. It is also the second time this week that Prince Albert has hosted Moose Jaw. Reid Gardiner and Simon Stransky each have a goal and four assists for five points against the Warriors. Moose Jaw forwards Dryden Hunt (8g-4a) and Brayden Point (4g-7a) have 12 and 11 points respectively in the season series.
2015-16 SEASON SERIES RECAP
Oct. 23/15 at PA | PA 7 MJ 2 | R. Gardiner (3a), S. Stransky (1g-2a), L. Coleman (1g-1a)
Nov. 7/15 at MJ | MJ 6 PA 4 | B. Point (3g-2a), N. Gregor (2g), T. Vanstone (1g-1a)
Nov. 17/15 at PA | PA 4 MJ 1 | R. Gardiner (1g-1a), S. Stransky (2a), J. Tkatch (2a)
Feb. 5/16 at MJ | MJ 4 PA 2 | D. Hunt (3g), N. Gregor (3a), C. Miller (1g)
Feb. 15/16 at PA | MJ 5 PA 0 | D. Hunt (3g-2a), B. Point (1g-3a), N. Gregor (1g-2a)
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: PA 183 MJ 144 Power Plays: PA 1-19 (5.2%) MJ 6-22 (27.2%)
SHOTS: In all five of their previous meetings this season, the Raiders have outshot the Warriors. Overall, through five games, Prince Albert has 39 more shots than Moose Jaw in the season series. Prince Albert set a season-high with 52 shots against Moose Jaw on October 23 as part of a 7-2 win at home. The Raiders hold an 18-9-0-0 record this season when they outshoot their opposition.
FAMILIAR FOES: The Raiders are in the midst of playing 12 consecutive games against teams from the East Division. In a strange scheduling occurrence, Prince Albert will play both the Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats three times in stretch of 16 days. Prince Albert is 14-10-2-0 versus teams from their own division.
RIDER NATION: Two members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be in attendance at Friday’s game. Wide receiver Nic Demski and defensive tackle Tearrius George will sign autographs in the Johnny Bower Lobby prior to the game and in the first intermission. Both players will also drop the puck during a ceremonial face-off.
UP NEXT: The Raiders are back in action on Saturday night when they travel to battle the Saskatoon Blades. The team is back at the Art Hauser Centre on Sunday night as they take on the Brandon Wheat Kings. Puck drop is 7:00 PM. For ticket information, visit the Raider Office at the Art Hauser Centre or call 306-764-GAME. Online tickets can be purchased at www.raiderhockey.com.
