WHL Prince Albert Raiders

Raiders Can't Come Back from 3-0 Deficit; Fall 3-2 to Pats

Published on December 9, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release


The Prince Albert Raiders were forced into a comeback position again on Friday night, and again couldn't quite get it done, as they fell 3-2 to the Regina Pats at the Art Hauser Centre. It was a game the Raiders trailed 2-0 after the first period, and 3-0 at one point.

There were no teddy bears thrown onto the ice in the first period. In fact, it was Regina who found the back of the net twice, and they opened the scoring 10:20 into the game. It was Stanislav Svozil breaking the ice, firing a backhand shot from the slot that fooled Max Hildebrand top corner, far side past his blocker. Svozil's fifth goal of the season gave the Pats a 1-0 lead midway through the first.

Just over five minutes later that lead doubled, as Riley Ginnell jumped in on the scoring action. After a chance was creating by Prince Albert native Tanner Howe, Ginnell stepped into the slot and fired a laser past Hildebrand glove side. His third of the year doubled Regina's lead, as the visitors took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, while the Raiders led 11-7 in shots after 20 minutes.

The Pats made it 3-0 7:51 into the second period, as Ginnell cashed in on his second goal of the game. After a miscue behind the net by Max Hildebrand, the puck eventually came free to Easton Armstrong down low. Armstrong threw the puck into the slot area for Ginnell, and he did the rest of the work. Making a move, Ginnell cut in close and buried a backhand shot past Hildebrand, putting the Pats up by a three spot.

With 4:50 left in the middle frame, the teddy bears and toques were finally released by the fans onto the ice. Ryder Ritchie tucked home a backhand shot from a ridiculous angle past Drew Sim, and put the Raiders on the board, making it 3-1. Ritchie's fifth goal of the season made it a two-goal game and brought about a stoppage in play.

With less than five minutes remaining in the period, per league protocol, the rule is that if the teddy bear toss goal is scored in the final five minutes of a period, the intermission begins. The ice was flooded and both teams returned to play the final 4:50 of the second period, and after the buzzer went, the teams switched sides and immediately began the third period.

The third period got off to a quick start with the Raiders on the powerplay, as they scored just 57 seconds into the final frame. Keaton Sorensen banged home a rebound after a point shot from Landon Kosior was stopped in front. Sorensen's team leading 14th goal of the season made it a 3-2 Regina lead. From there, the Raiders poured on the pressure in the offensive zone, but Drew Sim stopped the remainder of shots thrown at him, stopping nine of 10 shots in the final frame.

The Pats were able to survive late pressure with the Raider net empty, and come away with a 3-2 victory on the road.

The Raiders fall to 10-17-2-0 with the loss, and will look to get back in the win column tomorrow night when the Saskatoon Blades come to town. Puck drop is 7pm.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2022


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