Raiders Fall to .500 After 2-1 Loss to Moose Jaw
December 30, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders held a 1-0 lead over Moose Jaw after the first period, but a two goal second period from the Warriors proved to be the difference, as the green and gold fell 2-1 on Saturday night at the Art Hauser Centre. The Raiders are now sitting at the .500 mark for the first time since October 6.
It took 19 minutes and 13 seconds, but the Raiders opened the scoring in the final minute of the first period, after having a handful of chances to find the back of the net. From the right corner, Niall Crocker circled back to the point and dropped a pass off for Easton Kovacs. The Raider blueliner fired a one timer past Jackson Unger for his fourth goal of the season, putting the Raiders up 1-0. After 20 minutes of play, Prince Albert would take their one goal lead into the middle frame, holding a 10-6 edge in shots.
The Warriors controlled most of the second period, scoring twice to take a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes. Pavel McKenzie tied things up 5:09 into the middle frame, after Moose Jaw won a puck battle in the Raiders end. Atley Calvert poked a pass to the slot for McKenzie, who was wide open. The Warriors forward ripped a shot point blank past Max Hildebrand for his eighth goal of the season, tying things up at 1-1.
With 6:50 left in the second, Brayden Schuurman gave Moose Jaw their first lead of the night. Taking a drop pass from Ethan Semeniuk at the point, Schuurman wheeled down the right win. With space to shoot, he sniped the puck top shelf over Hildebrand for his tenth goal of the campaign. The Warriors outshot the Raiders 16-8 in the second period, and took a 2-1 lead heading into the third.
Prince Albert spent much of the final 20 minutes in the offensive zone, but were only able to get eight shots on goal. They played sound defence in their own end, however, holding Moose Jaw to just three shots in the final frame. The Raiders couldn't get anything to go there way in terms of goals, including the only powerplay of the game in the final half of the third period. Jackson Unger was able to keep the home side at bay, as the Warriors were able to come out of the Art Hauser Centre with a 2-1 win, thanks to their goaltender's 25-save performance.
The Raiders have now dropped three games in a row, and will look to get back into the win column on Friday night with a rematch on the road in Moose Jaw. Puck drops at 7pm.
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