WHL Prince Albert Raiders

Raiders Downed by Regina in Opener

Published on October 2, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release


Prince Albert, SK - The Prince Albert Raiders got the 2021-22 WHL Season underway on Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre, but fell 3-1 to the Regina Pats in front of 2,578 fans.

Connor Bedard got the scoring started for the Pats 5:37 into the first. He cut through the defence to the right side of the zone and fired a shot that went off the left post and past Carter Serhyenko to put Regina ahead.

The Pats added another goal with 1:36 left to go in the opening frame. Logan Nijhoff found Ryker Evans in the Raiders' end with a pass. Evans cut across the middle of the zone and passed back across the zone to Drew Englot who was able to slide a puck to the opposite side from where Serhyenko was sliding to give Regina a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

The Raiders had a chance to cut into the lead midway through the second when Evan Herman was tripped up on a breakaway, giving the forward a penalty shot attempt. Herman had a deliberate approach towards goal, but his shot was turned aside by Matthew Kieper.

Shortly after, the Raiders were able to solve Kieper. Cale Sanders sprung Keaton Sorensen on a partial breakaway with a nifty pass. Sorensen made a move to his backhand and slid his shot through Kieper's five-hole to make it 2-1 game with his first as a Raider.

The Raiders were inches away from tying the game shortly after Sorensen's goal. Ethan Ironside decided to keep on a two-on-one rush with Niall Crocker. Ironside's shot beat Kieper, but hit the post and stayed out.

The score stayed 2-1 until midway through the third. Stanislav Svozil got a pass around a Raiders defender to Zack Smith. The Pats forward cut to the corner and found Bedard in the slot. Serhyenko got a piece of Bedard's shot, but it bounced off the top of his pad and over the goal line to give Regina a 3-1 lead.

After killing off a pair of penalties, the Raiders pressed for another goal with the extra attacker. One of their best chances came when Michael Horon fired a shot towards goal that just missed the stick of Sorensen who was trying to deflect it past Kieper.

Serhyenko stopped 36 shots in the loss for the Raiders in his first start of the year; Kieper made 21 saves at the other end of the rink to pick up the win.

It's a quick turnaround for both teams as they head to Regina for a rematch on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Fans can watch the game on CBC, or listen on 900 CKBI.

The next Raiders' home game is on Friday, October 15 when the Moose Jaw Warriors visit the Art Hauser Centre. Game time is 7 p.m. Tickets are available at SaskTix.ca.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2021


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