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WHL Prince Albert Raiders

Raiders Complete Biggest Comeback of the Season to Beat Blades 6-5 in Overtime

February 24, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release


When it seemed like they were down and out, the Prince Albert Raiders proved that anything is possible, as they defeated the Saskatoon Blades 6-5 in overtime on Friday night at SaskTel Centre. After trailing 5-2 with 10 minutes left in the third period, the Raiders rattled off three goals in a three minute stretch to force overtime, with Sloan Stanick scoring the overtime winner for the second straight game.

The Blades opened the scoring at the 9:43 mark of the first period. After Jordan Keller was denied by a blocked shot, Jake Chiasson followed up. The former Wheat King sniped a shot in close past Max Hildebrand, with the shot going off the inside bar and out. The officials had to review that the puck did go in the net, but the goal was confirmed to give Saskatoon a 1-0 lead midway through the first.

After Grady Martin dropped the gloves with Josh Pillar, it created a mess in the penalty boxes. The two forwards were handed five minutes each for fighting, while Terrell Goldsmith and Connor Roulette were assessed 10 minute misconducts. Egor Sidorov was given an extra penalty, setting the Raiders up on a powerplay.

Prince Albert failed to put a shot on goal during the man advantage, and the Blades quickly made them pay the other way. After Sidorov came out of the box, he helped put the home side up 2-0. After his shot from the slot was stopped, Brandon Lisowsky followed up on the rebound, burying a shot past Hildebrand, who was at the top of his crease and couldn't react in time to find Lisowsky on the doorstep. The goal gave the Blades a 2-0 lead with 5:50 left in the first.

Late in the opening frame, Chiasson took a high sticking penalty on Aiden Oiring, and it turned into a double minor that gave the Raiders a four minute powerplay. On this one, the green and gold were able to capitalize. At the point, Landon Kosior sent a pass to the tape of Ryder Ritchie at the left circle. From Ovi's office, Ritchie unloaded a one timer on goal. Austin Elliott got a piece, but not all of the blast, as Ritchie pulled the Raiders back to within one, making it a 2-1 game with his 16th goal of the season. With the primary assist on the goal, Kosior picked up a point in his 200th career WHL game.

After a lengthy first intermission due to a power outage at SaskTel Centre, it was a lengthy stretch in the second period with no goals. That was broken with 9:57 left in the middle frame, as the Blades scored on another powerplay. Connor Roulette sent a pass in front of the net into a cluster of bodies. The puck found Chiasson's stick, who buried his second goal of the game. With just eight seconds left on their man advantage, Saskatoon took a 3-1 lead, which they took into the third period.

Saskatoon made it a 4-1 game just 1:44 into the third period. After Keaton Sorensen dropped his stick behind the net, that left Vaughn Watterodt open near the right circle. Watterodt stepped in and fired a shot before Sorensen could get back in the play, and he beat Hildebrand over the shoulder short side.

Hayden Pakkala brought the Raiders back into the game with 9:35 left in the third. With Prince Albert shorthanded, Pakkala stole the puck near the Raider blue line and worked his way into the Saskatoon zone on a breakaway. The forward worked his way in close on Elliott and fired a shot past the blocker side for his seventh goal of the season to make it 4-2.

However, the Blades took their three goal lead right back, as Aiden De La Gorgendiere ripped a slapshot from the point. The Saskatoon captain scored his 10th goal of the season to make it a 5-2 lead.

Less than two minutes later, the Raiders once again cut into that lead, and they did so on a powerplay. From the point, Kosior let a shot go that was deflected by Keaton Sorensen in front. The goal made it a 5-3 game, but the Raiders were not done there.

Under two minutes after their third goal, Prince Albert made it a one goal game on the powerplay. Aiden Oiring led a rush in the Saskatoon zone and fed a pass in front for Niall Crocker. From the slot, Crocker let a shot go that beat Elliott, and all of a sudden it became a 5-4 game with 5:37 left in the third.

A determined Raider squad did not stop there, as just 59 seconds later, they tied the game. After the Blades called a timeout, Prince Albert kept the pressure on in the Blades end. From the left circle, Ritchie sent a pass to the slot for Oiring. Wasting no time, Oiring blasted a one timer bar down past Elliott. After trailing 5-2 midway through the third period, the Raiders roared back with three goals in less than three minutes to make it a 5-5 tie.

After the best third period comeback of the season, the Raiders came back from 5-2 down to force overtime in Saskatoon.

For the second straight game, Sloan Stanick was the overtime hero, and his game winning goal came just 49 seconds into the overtime frame. Stanick gathered a loose puck in front and banged home a shot for his 19th goal of the season, and his second straight game winner, as the Raiders completed the biggest comeback of the season.

Prince Albert (24-28-3-0) are now just four points back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They got some help on Friday night as well, with the Moose Jaw Warriors beating the Swift Current Broncos, and the Regina Pats defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Raiders are one point back of the Wheaties for 10th in the East, two points back of the Broncos for 9th, and as mentioned, four points back of the Medicine Hat Tigers for 8th in the Conference.

The green and gold wrap up their home and home set with the Blades tomorrow night at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is 7pm.

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