Prairie Mobile / SaskTel Preview: Raiders vs. Blades
PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS VS. SASKATOON BLADES | Nov. 13, 2015 | 7:00PM
RAIDER REVIEW: The Prince Albert Raiders (12-5-1-1) will attempt to get back in the win column on Friday night as they welcome the Saskatoon Blades (8-7-3-0) to the Art Hauser Centre. The Raiders have not played since last Saturday night when the team was in Moose Jaw to take on the Warriors. Trailing by three going into the third period, the Raiders scored twice early to make it a one-goal game. The Warriors defused the comeback though in the final minutes with an empty net goal. The Prince Albert loss was the first time this season the club had suffered back-to-back setbacks in regulation.
VS. SASKATOON: Tonight is the third of eight regular season games between the Raiders and Blades. Prince Albert is 12-4-0-1 over the last five years in games against Saskatoon at the Art Hauser Centre.
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 vs. SAS | PA 6 SAS 5 OT | J. Tkatch (1g-3a), S. Stransky (1g-2a), W. Sloboshan (2g)
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: PA 60 SAS 69 Power Plays: PA 3-10 (30.0%) SAS 3-17 (17.6%)
GREAT SCOTT: Raiders’ rookie goaltender Ian Scott has returned to the team after representing Team Canada at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Scott played for Canada White, one of three different Canadian squads at the tournament, and captured a gold medal. Scott completed the tournament by compiling a 3-1-0-0 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and a 0.900 save percentage. In the medal round, Scott made three consecutive starts in three nights, including a 21-save performance against Russia in the final game. The gold medal victory by Team Canada White was the first by a Canadian team since Ontario in 2011.
TEAM WHL: This week, Team WHL swept Russia for the first time in six years at the CHL Canada Russia Series. On Monday night in Kelowna, BC, Team WHL dominated the first two periods en route to a 7-3 win over Russia. Tuesday night’s contest in Kamloops, BC was much closer with the WHL earning a 4-2 decision. Raiders forward Reid Gardiner finished the two games with a pair of assists, while defenceman Brendan Guhle was a +1.
ROAD WARRIORS: Despite sitting fourth in the East Division, the visiting Blades have one of the best road records in the WHL. In seven games away from home, Saskatoon holds a 5-1-1-0 record, with one of those loses coming during the Raiders’ home opener on September 26. Prince Albert is 5-3-0-1 on the road.
PROMOTED: The Prince Albert Raiders announced Tuesday that Ron Gunville has been named the team’s Director of Player Personnel. Gunville joined the Raiders as the Assistant Director of Player Personnel in June of 2013. As Director of Player Personnel, Gunville’s role will expand to see him lead the entire scouting department. He previously served as a scout for the Prince George Cougars from 2009 to 2013. As a player, Gunville played parts of three seasons in the Western Hockey League, split between the Raiders and Lethbridge Hurricanes.
UPCOMING GAMES: The Prince Albert Raiders will travel to Manitoba this weekend for their next game on Sunday, November 15 against the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Raiders return to the Art Hauser Centre for a weekday affair with the Moose Jaw Warriors on Tuesday, November 17. Puck drop is 7:00 PM. For ticket information, visit raiderhockey.com or call 764-GAME.
