Raiders Comeback Falls Short In Saskatoon
March 17, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Saskatoon, SK - The Prince Albert Raiders (32-27-9-4) made a furious comeback in the final moments of the game, but were unable to find the equalizer in a 5-4 loss to the Saskatoon Blades (35-33-3-1) at the SaskTel Centre on Saturday night.
With the loss, the Raiders finished the season with 77 points on the season.
The Blades took the lead midway through the first period when Max Gerlach beat Curtis Meger from the slot.
Late in the period, the Raiders got on the board. Max Martin chipped a puck ahead to Sean Montgomery, creating an odd-man rush with Spencer Moe. Montgomery passed off to Moe, who snapped a shot past Tyler Brown to tie the game with 3:15 left in the period.
Saskatoon responded quickly with two goals. Mark Rubinchik regained the lead for Saskatoon a minute after Moe's goal. Then with 1:01 remaining, Gerlach tallied his second of the game off a rebound.
In the second, the Blades increased their lead with a power-play goal. Gerlach completed his hat trick when he buried a cross-ice pass.
The Raiders cut the lead in half midway through the third. Curtis Miske tipped a shot through Brown at the 10:46 mark of the frame.
Late in the third, Evan Fiala restored the Blades' three-goal lead with an empty-net marker.
After that empty netter, the Raiders kept pressing. Sergei Sapego scored twice in the final two minutes of the game. However, it was as close as the Raiders came as the Blades pinned the puck in the corner as the final seconds ticked away.
Meger finished the game with 27 saves in the loss. Brown stopped 33 Raider shots to pick up the win.
The Raiders now turn their attention to the Moose Jaw Warriors for the first round of the WHL Playoffs. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is on Friday night in Moose Jaw. Games 3 and 4 are back in Prince Albert on Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28, respectively.
Playoff packages are now available for purchase in the Raider Office. Single game tickets go on sale on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2018
- Pats Fall in OT to Complete Regular Season - Regina Pats
- Raiders Comeback Falls Short In Saskatoon - Prince Albert Raiders
- Hitmen Clobbers Edmonton in Penultimate Regular Season Game - Calgary Hitmen
- Hurricanes vs. Rebels Series Schedule Set - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Game Day Preview: Blades Looking to Close out Season on Winning Note - Saskatoon Blades
- Jersey Draw March 17 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland at Seattle - Portland Winterhawks
- Game 72 vs. Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Tonight Is Wheat Kings' Awards Night - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, March 17 at Edmonton - Calgary Hitmen
- ICE Conclude 17-18 Regular Season Schedule with Home Date against the Rebels - Kootenay Ice
- Wheat Kings Beat Warriors; Playoff Matchup Set - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Day Preview: Pats Wrap Regular Season in Swift Current Saturday - Regina Pats
- Giants Fall 5-2 to the Rockets; Will Start the Playoffs Friday in Victoria - Vancouver Giants
- Sellout Crowd Sees Tips Win in OT - Everett Silvertips
- Rivalry Renewed, Broncos Edged by Pats in Playoff Preview - Swift Current Broncos
- Glass' Career Night Lifts Hawks to Blowout Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Royals Secure Second Seed in BC Division Despite Loss to Silvertips - Victoria Royals
- Giants Announce First Round Playoff Dates against Victoria - Vancouver Giants
- Blades Edge Raiders in Feisty Friday Affair - Saskatoon Blades
- Rockets Dispatch Vancouver 5-2 - Kelowna Rockets
- Royals Clinch Home Ice in First Round of Playoffs; Tickets on Sale Now - Victoria Royals
- Broncos, Pats to Renew Hostilities in First Round of 2018 WHL Playoffs - Swift Current Broncos
- Winterhawks Skate Past T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rebels Get Help from Tigers, But Fail to Help Themselves - Red Deer Rebels
- Chiefs Drop Home Finale to Americans, 2-1 - Spokane Chiefs
- Tigers Storm Past Hurricanes 4-2 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Use OT to Win Seventh Straight - Regina Pats
- Raiders Drop Home Finale To Blades - Prince Albert Raiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
