Explosive Third Period Leads Raiders To 4-0 Shutout Win Over Warriors
September 22, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The 2023-24 home opener for the Prince Albert Raiders could not have gone any better, as they cruised to a 4-0 win over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre. Two point performances from Justice Christensen, Aiden Oiring, and Ryder Ritchie paced things offensively, while Max Hildebrand picked up his first career WHL shutout with a 28-save performance.
Prince Albert nearly opened the scoring three minutes into the game, but a shot from Ryder Ritchie at the right circle rang off the crossbar to keep the game scoreless. At one point in the first period, the Raiders outshot the Warriors 7-0, but couldn't find their first goal of the season. The Warriors came back to level the shots at 10-10 after 20 minutes, as both sides remained searching for their first goal of the contest.
The first goal of the season came at the 10:29 mark of the second period, and it came courtesy of Justice Christensen on the powerplay. After Aiden Oiring won the offensive zone faceoff, Christensen gathered the puck at the blue line and ripped a shot on goal. The puck nailed the iron and bounced in past Jackson Unger, giving Christensen his first goal of the season, giving the Raiders their first goal of the 2023-24 campaign as well.
The Raiders really grabbed control of the game in the third period, outshooting Moose Jaw 23-4 in the final frame. That onslaught began just 28 seconds into the final period, as Aiden Oiring doubled Prince Albert's lead. After Ryder Ritchie's low shot was stopped by Unger, the rebound was lying loose in front of the goaltender. Oiring came crashing in and chopped at the loose puck, and it found its way to the back of the net. Oiring's first goal of the season was a huge momentum grabber, as it gave the green and gold a 2-0 lead early in the third.
Less than two minutes later, that lead became three courtesy of Krzysztof Macias. After an offensive zone draw was won by Harrison Lodewyk in the left faceoff dot, Brayden Dube gathered the puck and fired a shot on goal. Unger made the initial stop, but left another rebound lying right in front. Macias crashed the net right after the faceoff and was able to bang home his first career Western Hockey League goal in his first WHL regular season game. His tally put the Raiders up 3-0, still early in the third period.
After being a noticeable factor in the first and second period, Sloan Stanick was the creator of the Raiders' fourth goal of the game. Winning a puck battle near the PA bench, Stanick sent a breakout pass ahead for Ryder Ritchie, who skated into the zone leading a two on one rush with Oiring. Streaking down the left wing, Ritchie elected to keep the puck, and he sniped a shot far side over the blocker of Unger. His first goal of the season sealed the deal, as he put the Raiders up by a four spot 4:46 into the third.
Not to be forgotten amidst all of the scoring was Raiders netminder Max Hildebrand. Making his first career home opener start, he was a calm presence between the pipes. While he had a relatively quiet first 10 minutes of the game, he really started to settle in, stopping all 10 shots he faced in the opening 20 minutes, followed by another 14 save performance in the middle frame. Hildebrand had his quietest period of the night in the third period, facing just four shots, but he capped off the night with his first career shutout. As the final buzzer sounded, the Raiders took a victory in their first game of the season, with Hildebrand stopping all 28 shots.
With the win, the Raiders (1-0-0-0), will now shift their focus to Saskatoon, where they will visit the Blades for a Sunday matinee. Puck drop from the SaskTel Centre is 4pm.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2023
- Oil Kings Hop in the Win Column on Opening Night - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Explosive Third Period Leads Raiders To 4-0 Shutout Win Over Warriors - Prince Albert Raiders
- Whitehead the Hero in 7-6 Overtime Win - Regina Pats
- Wheat Kings Drop Back-And-Forth OT Thriller with Regina - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Preview: Rockets to Open Regular Season on Saturday - Kelowna Rockets
- Rockets Announce Ticketing Options - Kelowna Rockets
- Chiefs Add Gillespie, Preston as Affiliated Players Ahead of Opening Weekend - Spokane Chiefs
- Warriors Open Season with Trip to Prince Albert - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game Day Hub: September 22 at Wenatchee - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Kick off 2023-24 Regular Season at Kamloops Friday - Spokane Chiefs
- Cougars Announce Multi-Year Partnership with Carls Jr. Canada - Prince George Cougars
- Excitement Rising for Wheat Kings Ahead of Home Opener vs. Regina - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Day Preview: Season Opener at Calgary - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Preview: Cougars Take on Americans to Kick off 2023-2024 Regular Season - Prince George Cougars
- Preview: Oil Kings at Red Deer Rebels - Edmonton Oil Kings
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