Blades Take 3-1 Series Lead After 4-1 Win Over Raiders In Game Four
Published on April 3, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders are on the verge of elimination in their first-round playoff series, as they fell 4-1 to the Saskatoon Blades on Wednesday night at the Art Hauser Centre. The Blades now have a 3-1 series lead, and can win the series on Friday night back in Saskatoon.
It looked like the first period would end scoreless, but the Blades scored the game's opening goal with 1.7 seconds left on the clock on their second powerplay of the game. After a shot from the left circle by Alexander Suzdalev was stopped by Max Hildebrand, Easton Armstrong jumped on the rebound in front of the crease and beat Hildebrand five hole, with his shot just trickling over the goal line. His fifth goal of the playoffs gave Saskatoon a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Saskatoon scored twice in the second period to take a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes of play. Exactly three minutes into the middle frame, Misha Volotovskii scored his first goal of the playoffs, throwing a puck on net from near the point. His shot fooled Hildebrand, and it gave the Blades a two-goal lead.
3:03 later, Tanner Molendyk made it a three-goal game, as he also scored his first goal of the postseason. After scoring earlier in the period, it was Volotovskii who set Molendyk up for the tally. From the left wing, Volotovskii sent a pass to the high slot for Molendyk, and the defenceman rocketed a one timer past Hildebrand low glove side.
After two periods, the Raiders had work to do, as they trailed 3-0 on the scoreboard, and were also outshot 25-11.
Ryder Ritchie got the Raiders on the board 4:02 into the third period, making it a two-goal game. Skating down the left wing, the right-handed Ritchie let go of a tough shot, tracking far side. The puck glanced off Evan Gardner's glove and bounced over the goal line, giving Ritchie his third goal of the postseason. His tally made it a 3-1 game with a lot of time left to play.
Unfortunately, time ran out on Prince Albert, as Egor Sidorov sealed the deal with an empty net goal with 2:01 left in regulation to make it a 4-1 final.
The Raiders have their backs against the wall now, as they enter a must win game five in Saskatoon on Friday night. Puck drop from SaskTel Centre is 7pm.
Western Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2024
- Blades Take 3-1 Series Lead After 4-1 Win Over Raiders In Game Four - Prince Albert Raiders
- Hawks Complete Sweep, Advance to Round 2 - Portland Winterhawks
- Heartbreak in Red Deer, Rebels Claim Game 4 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Third Period Comeback Runs out of Time in Game Three - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Desjardins Nominated for Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Cougars Aim to Punch Ticket to 2nd Round - Prince George Cougars
- Mark Lamb Named BC Division Nominee for Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy - Prince George Cougars
- Sonne Named East Division Finalist for WHL Coach of the Year for Second Straight Season - Saskatoon Blades
- WHL Announces Division Nominees for Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy - WHL
- Mike Johnston Named U.S. Division Coach & Executive of the Year - Portland Winterhawks
- Sidorov Signs Three-Year Entry-Level Contract with Ducks - Saskatoon Blades
- Mark Lamb Named BC Division Nominee for Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy - Prince George Cougars
- Ripplinger Named East Division Executive of the Year - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Broncos Leslie Named Central Division Executive of the Year - Swift Current Broncos
- WHL Announces Division Nominees for Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy - WHL
- Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 4 at Victoria - Portland Winterhawks
- Terik Parascak Named BC Division Nominee for Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy - Prince George Cougars
- Julius Miettinen Named U.S. Division Rookie of the Year - Everett Silvertips
- McKenna Nominated for Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Gardner Named Finalist for WHL Rookie of the Year - Saskatoon Blades
- WHL Announces Nominees for Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy - WHL
- Game Day Preview: Game 4 Eastern Conference Quarter Final at Red Deer - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Warriors Ready for Road Test in Game 3 against Brandon - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Wild Find Hot Start, But Rockets Pick up Late Scores in 5-1 Win Over Wenatchee Tuesday - Wenatchee Wild
- Cougars Take 3-0 Series Lead with 4-2 Win in Spokane - Prince George Cougars
- Rockets Take Down Wild, 5-1 - Kelowna Rockets
- Mistelbacher Magic Hat-Trick Gives Broncos 3-0 Series Lead - Swift Current Broncos
- Tigers Come Back But Fall In Overtime In Game 3 Of Eastern Conference Quarter Final - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Armstrong's Hat-Trick Gives Blades 2-1 Series Lead - Saskatoon Blades
- Stefan's Hat-Trick Leads Hawks Past Royals in Game 3 - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Falter at Home, Game 4 Tomorrow - Spokane Chiefs
- Hawks Win 6-5, Take 3-0 Series Lead - Portland Winterhawks
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