Prairie Mobile / SaskTel Preview: Raiders at Wheat Kings
PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS AT BRANDON WHEAT KINGS | FEB. 9, 2016 | 7:00 PM
RAIDER REVIEW: After earning a pair of wins at home last week, the Prince Albert Raiders (29-17-5-1) head out on a short two-game road skid to face two teams they are competing with for playoff positioning. In their last game on Friday night, the Raiders needed a shootout to overcome a pesky Swift Current Broncos team. After falling behind 1-0 in the second period, Jordan Tkatch tied the game with a power play goal in the third period. With the score tied 1-1, Tkatch was once again clutch as he collected the shootout winner in the fourth round. Tuesday night’s opponent, the Brandon Wheat Kings, sit eight points ahead of Prince Albert for first place in the East Division. Behind the Raiders is Wednesday’s opponent, the Moose Jaw Warriors, who trail them by six points in third place.
VS. BRANDON: Tuesday’s match-up is the fifth of six games this year between the Raiders and Wheat Kings. After winning the first two meetings, the Raiders have dropped consecutive contests to the Wheat Kings. Luke Coleman (2g-1a), Jesse Lees (1g-2a), and Jordan Tkatch (1g-2a) each have three points this season versus Brandon. Wheat Kings forward Reid Duke leads the season series with three goals and six assists for nine points against the Raiders.
2015-16 SEASON SERIES RECAP
Nov. 15/15 at BDN | PA 3 BDN 2 | R. Gardiner (2g), I.Scott (33 svs), L. Harrison (1g)
Dec. 19/15 at PA | PA 5 BDN 2 | J. Tkatch (1g-1a), T. Vanstone (2a), L. Coleman (1g-1a)
Jan. 8/16 at BDN | BDN 8 PA 1 | R. Duke (1g-5a), I. Provorov (2g-2a), T. McGauley (2g-2a)
Jan. 22/16 at PA | BDN 3 PA 0 | J. Papirny (33 svs), I. Provorov (2a), M. Erkamps (2a)
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: PA 115 BDN 123 Power Plays: PA 2/14 (14.2%) BDN 5/19 (26.2%)
MILESTONE MOMENT: Raiders forward Reid Gardiner reached a significant milestone in his WHL career on Friday night. By assisting on Jordan Tkatch’s third period goal, Gardiner recorded the 200th point of his WHL career. The Humboldt, SK product achieved the milestone in just 243 games and now has 95 goals and 105 assists in his four years with the Raiders. Gardiner is in the midst of his best season in Prince Albert with 32 goals and 40 assists for 72 points in 52 games.
CLUTCH TKATCH: For the second time this season, the Raiders picked up a shootout victory on a goal by Jordan Tkatch. The 20-year-old forward also sealed the deal with a shootout-winning tally on December 30 in a 6-5 win over the Regina Pats. Overall this season, the Raiders are 3-1 in shootouts with their only loss coming against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Prince Albert shooters have a 7-for-14 success rate. Reid Gardiner and Tkatch lead the team with two successful chances.
AFTER TWO PERIODS: The Raiders’ win on Friday night was their fourth win this season when trailing after two periods. Overall this season, the team is 4-14-2-0 when down through 40 minutes. When they lead at the end of two periods, Prince Albert has yet to lose in regulation with a record of 18-0-2-1. Prince Albert is one of only three teams who have not lost in regulation when leading after 40 minutes, along with the Kamloops Blazers and Kelowna Rockets.
DAVE MANSON WEEKEND: The Raiders will retire Dave Manson’s number “4” in a special pre-game ceremony on Friday, February 12 as part of a weekend celebration honouring the Prince Albert legend. Manson will be the second player in Raiders franchise history to have his number retired, joining Mike Modano’s number “9” in the rafters at the Art Hauser Centre. Following his jersey retirement, the Raiders will host the “Roast of Dave Manson” in the Ches Leach Lounge on Saturday, February 13.
