Prairie Mobile / SaskTel Preview: Raiders vs. Blades
PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS VS. SASKATOON BLADES | MAR. 18, 2016 | 7:00 PM
RAIDER REVIEW: The Prince Albert Raiders (37-25-7-1) will end the season the same way they began it, with a home-and-home set versus the rival Saskatoon Blades. The Raiders were last in action on Wednesday night as they battled the Moose Jaw Warriors in a game with playoff implications. The Warriors were able to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first period en route to a 4-1 decision. Prince Albert currently holds a three-point edge on Moose Jaw for second place in the East Division. A win by the Raiders or a loss by the Warriors in any game this weekend would secure home ice advantage for Prince Albert in the first round of the playoffs. Regardless of where they finish, the Raiders will play either the Warriors or the Regina Pats in the first round.
VS. SASKATOON: Friday’s contest is the seventh of eight regular season games between the Raiders and Blades. Prince Albert forwards Jordan Tkatch (2g-4a) and Austin Glover (1g-5a) both have six points against Saskatoon this year. Blades’ sniper Cameron Hebig leads the season series with five goals and seven assists for 12 points.
2015-16 SEASON SERIES RECAP
Sept. 25/15 at SAS | SAS 7 PA 2 | C. Gay (2g-2a), C. Hebig (1g-3a), R. Graham (1g-1a)
Sept. 26/15 at PA | PA 6 SAS 5 OT | J. Tkatch (1g-3a incl. OT Winner), S. Stransky (1g-2a), W. Sloboshan (2g)
Nov. 13/15 at PA | SAS 4 PA 3 OT | R. Graham (3g), A. Glover (2a), N. Reid (2a)
Dec. 27/15 at PA | PA 6 SAS 2 | S. Montgomery (2g), B. Guhle (2g), K. Olynek (1g-1a)
Jan. 1/16 at SAS | SAS 6 PA 1 | R. Graham (2g-1a), B. Sayers (2g), C. Gay (2a)
Feb. 20/16 at SAS | SAS 2 PA 1 OT | C. Hebig (OT Winner), L. Bensmiller (1g), L. Christensen (1g)
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: PA 189 SAS 164 Power Plays: PA 4-22 (18.2%) SAS 6-33 (18.2%)
40 FOR GARDS: With a goal on Wednesday night against the Moose Jaw Warriors, Reid Gardiner has now scored 40 goals in a season for the first time in his career. The Humboldt, SK product has taken his game to new levels this year with career-highs in goals, assists, points, plus-minus, power play goals, and game-winning goals. Gardiner becomes the first Raider to reach the 40-goal plateau since Jonathan Parker netted 45 goals in the 2010-11 campaign.
UNIVERSITY CUP: The 2016 University Cup got underway on Thursday in Halifax, Nova Scotia with 11 Raiders’ alumni competing amongst six squads. The Raiders have seven former players on the two-time defending CIS Champion Alberta Golden Bears with Jordan Rowley, Sawyer Lange, Luke Siemens, Dakota Conroy, Jayden Hart, Jordan Hickmott, and James Dobrowolski. Alumni Sean Aschim and Logan McVeigh play for the Saskatchewan Huskies, while the St. Mary’s Huskies include Cole Cheveldave and Calder Brooks.
TEAM AWARDS: Stick around after the game on Friday as Prince Albert recognizes their players with 2015-16 Team Awards. The Raiders will hand out 12 different awards, including the Prince Albert Co-op Most Valuable Player. The team will also give out a new award, the Source for Sports Players Choice Award, which recognizes the player who reflects best the characteristics of a true Raider.
UP NEXT: The Raiders will close out the 2015-16 WHL regular season on the road on Saturday night versus the Saskatoon Blades! For playoff and 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.
