Raiders Complete Central Sweep With Win Over Oil Kings
February 25, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Edmonton, AB - The Prince Albert Raiders (26-25-9-2) completed the three-game sweep of their Central Division swing with a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings (18-35-5-2) on Saturday night at Rogers Place.
With the win, the Raiders moved two points back of the idle Saskatoon Blades for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
After the Raiders scored in the opening moments of the past two games of their trip, it was their opponent's turn to get on the board early. Trey Fix-Wolansky opened the scoring 1:44 into the game. Four minutes later, Conner McDonald scored on the power play to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead.
That held until the 5:18 mark of the second period. Vojtech Budik cut into Edmonton's lead with a one-timer from the point on a power play. Just 34 seconds later, Curtis Miske took a pass from Justin Nachbaur and the Beaumont, AB product made no mistake in tying the game at 2-2. Less than a minute later, Brett Leason was left alone in the slot and he beat Josh Dechaine to extend his goal-scoring streak to six games. On Leason's goal, Kody McDonald recorded his 150th career point with an assist.
The rapid scoring continued as the Oil Kings tied the game. Wyatt McLeod deflected a Fix-Wolansky shot past Scott at the 7:07 mark to make it 3-3.
The Raiders restored their lead five minutes later. Leason found some empty space on the top of the crease and roofed the puck over Dechaine for his second of the contest.
Late in the second, Edmonton drew even again. David Kope's pass from behind the Raider goal bounced off of a skate in front of the net and past Ian Scott to level the score at 4-4 after 40 minutes.
In the third, the Raiders regained the lead midway through the frame. Parker Kelly, who was playing in his 200th game, buried a feed from Regan Nagy just two seconds after a power play expired to put the Raiders ahead 5-4.
The Raiders held on the rest of the way. While Edmonton's net was empty, Tomas Soustal took a penalty with 28 seconds remaining to end the Oil Kings' late push for an equalizer.
Scott made all five saves in the third period to preserve the win. He stopped 25 shots in total to earn his 19th win of the year. Dechaine turned aside 26 Raider shots in the loss.
The Raiders are back at home on Tuesday night when the Brandon Wheat Kings visit the Art Hauser Centre. Brandon is just six points ahead of the Raiders for the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Puck drop is 7 p.m. Tickets are available at raiderhockey.com, the Raider Office, or by calling 306-764-5348.
Also, the Raiders are hosting Unplugged And On Tap With Chris Phillips on Friday, March 2 in the Ches Leach Lounge, presented by OK Tire and Lake Country Co-Op. Tickets are $25 each, or $200 for a table of eight and can be purchased at the Raider Office.
On the following night, the Raiders will induct Chris Phillips into the Wall of Honour prior to their game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2018
- Gawdin, Malenstyn Tally Shorthanded Markers, Broncos Dismiss Oil King 8-0 - Swift Current Broncos
- Rockets Clinch Playoffs for 11th Consecutive Season - Kelowna Rockets
- Brandon Doubles up Hitmen 6-3 - Calgary Hitmen
- Blades Fall Short against League's Best - Saskatoon Blades
- Kootenay ICE, CMHA Team up Again to Raise Awareness About Mental Health During Wednesday's Game - Kootenay Ice
- Game Day Preview: Blades Prep for Tilt with Top Dogs - Saskatoon Blades
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, February 25 vs. Brandon - Calgary Hitmen
- Royals Come up Short against Winterhawks - Victoria Royals
- Silvertips Take Tight Battle with Seattle - Everett Silvertips
- Tigers Claw Back to Force Overtime - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Late Goal Lifts Hawks to Win over Royals - Portland Winterhawks
- Rockets Outscore Kamloops - Kelowna Rockets
- Broncos Give up Four Unanswered in Loss to Rebels - Swift Current Broncos
- Third Period Outburst Gives Rebels Huge Win over Broncos - Red Deer Rebels
- Silvertips Slip Past T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Raiders Complete Central Sweep With Win Over Oil Kings - Prince Albert Raiders
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