Raiders Fall 5-1 to Blades, But Clinch the Final Playoff Spot After Hitmen Loss in Swift Current
March 22, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
While the Prince Albert Raiders couldn't get the job done on Friday night on home ice, losing to the Saskatoon Blades by a 5-1 final, they got all the help they needed in Swift Current, as the Broncos defeated the Calgary Hitmen 7-6. The Calgary loss means the Raiders have clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, sending the green and gold on a collision course with the Blades in the first round of the 2024 WHL Playoffs Presented by Nutrien.
The Raiders got off to the best start possible, opening the scoring 1:35 into the game. From behind the net, Sloan Stanick dished a backhand pass into the slot for Aiden Oiring. Waiting for it, Oiring powdered a one timer past Austin Elliott glove side, scoring his 21st goal of the season to give Prince Albert the early 1-0 lead.
From there, Saskatoon took over the rest of the period, scoring three straight goals. With 12:35 left in the first, a shot by Rhett Melnyk at the left circle fooled Max Hildebrand five hole. It was Melnyk's fifth goal of the season, and it tied the game at 1-1.
Less than two minutes later, the Blades grabbed their first lead of the night thanks to Tanner Molendyk. After Egor Sidorov wheeled from behind the net to the bottom of the left circle, Molendyk took a pass from him and fired home a one timer glove side past Max Hildebrand. Molendyk's 10th of the year made it a 2-1 game.
That lead became 3-1 for Saskatoon with 8:25 left in the first, as Misha Volotovskii scored his ninth goal of the year. After a relentless shift from the Blades in the offensive zone, Volotovskii found a loose puck among a scramble of bodies in the slot. He fired a shot top corner over Hildebrand's blocker with traffic in front of the net.
After 20 minutes, a quick start from the Raiders ended in the green and gold heading into the second period trailing by two.
Saskatoon scored the only goal of the second period, thanks to a handful of penalties that were called against the Raiders in the middle frame. An eventual five on three for the Blades resulted in Brandon Lisowsky finding the back of the net for the 41st time this season. Right after the two man advantage ended, Charlie Wright found Lisowsky on the five on four. From the right circle, Lisowsky took a pass from Wright and fired a one timer home, giving the Blades a 4-1 lead.
The Raiders were being outshot 32-12 after 40 minutes, and went into the third looking for a response, trailing by three goals.
Lisowsky scored his second goal of the game 12:07 into the third period to make it a 5-1 Blades lead, and that would be the final on Friday night.
The Raiders and Blades are back in action tomorrow night for the regular season finale, and the second half of a home and home set. Puck drop from SaskTel Centre is at 7pm.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2024
- Wheat Kings Carry Winning Streak into Playoffs with Win over Pats - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Loss to Broncos Ends Playoff Hopes - Calgary Hitmen
- Raiders Fall 5-1 to Blades, But Clinch the Final Playoff Spot After Hitmen Loss in Swift Current - Prince Albert Raiders
- Ziemmer Makes Return; Cougars Battle Blazers in Final Weekend of Regular Season - Prince George Cougars
- 2023-24 BWK Year-End Awards Announced - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Playoff Battle Continues As Rockets Close Out Regular-Season, Fan Appreciation Night On Saturday - Kelowna Rockets
- Game Day Hub: March 22 at Tri-City - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Look to Stay Hot Friday against Seattle - Spokane Chiefs
- Warriors Set to Host Games 1 & 2 of First Round Next Weekend - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Broncos Sign Yerex to Scholarship and Development Agreement - Swift Current Broncos
- Game Day Preview: Game 67 at Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
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