Raiders Complete Weekend Sweep In Alberta With 4-1 Win Over Oil Kings
October 7, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders finished a perfect weekend on Saturday night in Edmonton, taking down the Edmonton Oil Kings by a 4-1 final at Rogers Place. The Raiders gave up the first goal of the game, but scored four unanswered goals to exact some revenge on Edmonton to even the season series at one game apiece.
Gavin Hodnett had two breakaways for the Oil Kings early in the first period, with chances to open the scoring. On his first attempt, Max Hildebrand shut the door with a huge right shoulder save, and on his second try he fired a shot wide of the goal to keep things scoreless.
With 8:17 left in the first period, the Oil Kings found the first goal of the game on a powerplay. Hodnett fed a cross ice pass to Adam Jecho, who blasted a one timer home past Hildebrand. His fifth goal of the season put Edmonton up 1-0 just past the midway mark of the opening frame.
With 4:31 left in the period after the Raiders killed off a 5 on 3 Oil Kings powerplay, Prince Albert knotted things up. Aiden Oiring scored his third goal of the season, finally giving the Raiders a goal on Kolby Hay after nearly four full periods. Oiring's second goal in as many games evened things up late in the opening frame.
Edmonton heavily outshot Prince Albert 17-7 in the first period, but the game was even at 1-1 heading into the second period, thanks to some big saves from Hildebrand throughout the opening frame.
With 10:47 left in the second period, Matej Kubiesa broke the deadlock to give the Raiders their first lead of the night. Hayden Pakkala flipped the puck out of his own end down the ice, and Kubiesa displayed his speed as he raced down the ice to chase it down. Kubiesa corralled the puck and worked his way down on a breakaway. Cutting across the net to his forehand, he buried a shot top corner past Hay for his second goal of the season. Collecting a secondary assist on the goal was Tyrone Sobry, who picked up his first WHL point in just his second game.
After 40 minutes, Edmonton outshout Prince Albert 25-12, but Hildebrand stopped all eight shots he faced in the middle frame, as the Raiders held onto their one goal lead heading into the third period.
With 5:05 left in the third period, Carter Anderson picked a good time to score his first goal of the season. Hayden Pakkala picked up his second assist of the contest as Anderson beat Kolby Hay. His first of the 2023-24 campaign gave the Raiders an insurance marker, as they took a 3-1 lead.
With 48 seconds left in regulation, Ryder Ritchie sealed the deal with an empty net marker on a Raider powerplay. His fifth goal of the season gave the Raiders a 4-1 lead, and that's how the game would finish.
It was another strong performance in goal for Max Hildebrand, as he stopped 35 of 36 shots on goal for his third win of the season, taking home first star honours.
The Raiders (4-3-0-0) come home from Alberta with four points after going a perfect 2-0-0-0 on their weekend road trip. The team returns home on Friday night for a game against the Calgary Hitmen at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is 7pm.
Western Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2023
- Blades Tickled Pink with 6-1 Victory Over Pats - Saskatoon Blades
- Gabriel Szturc Re-Assigned To Rockets From Syracuse Crunch - Kelowna Rockets
- Hitmen Edge Wheat Kings, 4-3 - Calgary Hitmen
- Cougars' Five-Game Win Streak Ends, Fall 6-3 to Wenatchee - Prince George Cougars
- Wild Wipe Away Prince George Power Plays, Winning Streak with 6-3 Victory - Wenatchee Wild
- Pats Fall 6-1 to Blades - Regina Pats
- Special Teams Hurt Tigers in 4-3 Loss to Warriors - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Oil Kings Bested by Raiders - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Warriors Secure Gritty Road Win in Medicine Hat on Saturday - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Tips Held in Check by Matecha, Amerks Win 3-1 - Everett Silvertips
- Buttazzoni's Hat-Trick Helps Hawks Past Giants 6-1 - Portland Winterhawks
- Raiders Complete Weekend Sweep In Alberta With 4-1 Win Over Oil Kings - Prince Albert Raiders
- Chiefs Frustrated, Deflate in Third Period as Rockets Win 6-3 - Spokane Chiefs
- Late Goal Spoils Wheat Kings Comeback on Pucks N Paws Night - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Cougars Aim for Sixth Straight Win - Prince George Cougars
- Oil Kings Trade Overage Defenceman Jacob Hoffrogge to Prince Albert - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Chiefs Play First October Road Game against Kelowna Rockets Saturday - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Preview: Game 7 vs Moose Jaw - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Keep It Rollin' - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Secure Fifth Consecutive Victory With Thrilling Comeback Win - Prince George Cougars
- Potent Prince George Power Play Pounces In 6-4 Win Over Wild Friday - Wenatchee Wild
- Stefan, Špunar Shine as Hawks Top 'Tips 4-1 in Home Opener - Portland Winterhawks
- Hawks Pick Up 4-1 Win Over Everett in Home Opener - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Fall to Seattle Friday Night, 4-2 - Spokane Chiefs
- Warriors Shut Out In Lethbridge On Friday - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Winterhawks Head Coach Mike Johnston Reaches 500 WHL Wins - Portland Winterhawks
- Tigers Come Back Down Three Twice in Overtime Win Over Broncos - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Broncos Fall in Back-And-Forth Affair to Tigers in Overtime - Swift Current Broncos
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