Raiders Fall to Oil Kings in Edmonton
November 19, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Edmonton, Alta. - The Prince Albert Raiders (6-9-0-1) were downed 6-3 by the Edmonton Oil Kings (12-3-2-1) to open their weekend trip to Alberta on Friday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Landon Kosior, Hayden Pakkala, and Reece Vitelli all scored for the Raiders in the loss. Sloan Stanick chipped in a pair of assists.
The Raiders peppered Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa with shots in the first period. Their best chance came midway through the period. Ross Stanley's pass from the right point found Cale Sanders to the left of the Oil Kings' net. He made a pass back against the grain to Pakkala in the slot. Pakkala got a one-timer off, but Cossa got his left bad on the low shot.
Late in the opening period, the Oil Kings opened the scoring on the power play. Edmonton won a faceoff back to Luke Prokop at the blueline, who sent it to Simon Kubicek at the other side of the zone. His one-timer got through a moving Carter Serhyenko to put the Oil Kings ahead 1-0 with 1:06 left in the first.
The Oil Kings extended their lead 1:29 into the second period. Jalen Luypen's shot was deflected in front by the stick of a Raider. Serhyenko wasn't able to keep hold of the puck and Carter Souch was able to chip the puck over the Raiders netminder to make it a 2-0 game.
Edmonton added another when Jake Neighbours sprung Dylan Guenther on a two-on-one rush. Guenther elected to keep and fired a shot shortside that beat Serhyenko to give the Oil Kings a three-goal advantage.
The Raiders cut into the lead at the 7:29 mark of the frame with a power-play strike. Nolan Allan let a shot go from the point that hit the skate of an Oil Kings defender in front. The puck landed in the blue paint for Pakkala, who deposited it into the back of the net for his fourth of the season, making it a 3-1 contest.
The Oil Kings responded just over a minute later. John Szabo forced a turnover along the boards in the Raiders' end. His quick pass to the slot was one-timed past Serhyenko by Kobe Verbicky to restore Edmonton's three-goal lead.
Late in the period, Edmonton added another. Guenther was able to settle a pass down and slap a pass to the left post, finding Neighbours at the back door who one-touched it past Serhyenko to put the Oil Kings up 5-1 after two periods.
Tikhon Chaika replaced Serhyenko at the start of the third period. Serhyenko finished the game with 17 saves in his two periods of work.
Early in the third, the Raiders cut into the lead with a four-on-four goal. Kosior got the puck in the neutral zone and used his speed to split two defenders. He made a move to his backhand and lifted a shot over Cossa for his third of the season, bringing the Raiders back within three 3:48 into the third.
Three-and-a-half minutes later, Vitelli struck to make it a two-goal game. Tyson Laventure and Stanick battled in the corner for the puck. Stanick was able to stick handle out of the corner and Vitelli cutting to the front of the net. The Winnipeg, Man. product one-timed the pass past Cossa over the goaltender's right shoulder to make it a two-goal game.
As the Raiders continued to press to make it a one-goal game, it was the Oil Kings that got the next goal. A quick shot from Jacob Boucher went off a Raiders defender in front, fooling Chaika as he was sliding to play the original trajectory of the shot to put the Oil Kings ahead 6-3.
Chaika stopped nine of 10 shots faced in relief in the third period, including a fantastic toe save on Josh Williams at the top of the crease. Cossa stopped 44 shots for the Oil Kings, including 21 of 23 in the third as the Raiders fought to get back into the game.
The Raiders head to Red Deer tomorrow night to wrap up their weekend trip to Alberta with a game against the Rebels at the Peavey Mart Centrium. Puck drop is 8 p.m. CST. Catch the game on WHL Live on CHL TV, or head to The Rock & Iron Club House and Original Joe's to watch.
The next Raiders' home game is on Wednesday when the Moose Jaw Warriors visit the Art Hauser Centre. Game time is 7 p.m. CST. Tickets are available at the Raiders Office during working hours and any time online at SaskTix.ca.
Western Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2021
- Wheat Kings Knock off Warriors - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Raiders Fall to Oil Kings in Edmonton - Prince Albert Raiders
- Rebels Stay Hot at Hitmen's Expense - Calgary Hitmen
- Warriors Fall Short in Brandon on Friday - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Winnipeg ICE Announce Vallen's "Local Like You" Hockey Night and Showcasing the Rising Stars Foundation Presented by Vallen on Wednesday November 24th - Winnipeg Ice
- World Junior Volunteers Needed - Red Deer Rebels
- Pats Alumnus Hobbs to Represent Canada at FISU Winter Universiade - Regina Pats
- Game Day Hub: November 19 - Portland Winterhawks
- Americans Open Weekend Doubleheader in Prince George - Tri-City Americans
- Preview: Chiefs Seek First Win at Home as They Host Seattle Thunderbirds Friday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Four Cougars Named to NHL Central Scouting's Updated Players to Watch List - Prince George Cougars
- Gameday Preview - November 19 at Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Preview: Rockets At Winterhawks - Kelowna Rockets
- Wheat Kings Welcome Warriors Tonight - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game 19 - ICE at Swift Current - Winnipeg Ice
- Warriors Open Weekend with Trip to Brandon Friday - Moose Jaw Warriors
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
