Raiders Fall To Rockets
December 6, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Prince Albert, SK - The Prince Albert Raiders (18-6-3-1) dropped a close game to the Kelowna Rockets (15-8-1-2) on Friday night, falling 2-1 at the Art Hauser Centre.
Ozzy Wiesblatt scored the lone goal for the Raiders in the loss, giving him points in seven of the past eight contests.
The Raiders came out firing in the first period. They outshot the Rockets 10-3 in the opening 20 minutes, but were unable to solve Roman Basran.
In the second, the Rockets took the lead at the 3:31 mark. Alex Swetlikoff put a puck on net that was stopped by Boston Bilous. Dallon Wilton followed the play and banged home the rebound for his second goal of the season.
The Raiders thought they tied the game in the second. Kaiden Guhle put a shot on goal that was stopped by Basran. The puck stayed in the crease as a few Raiders jammed away. Daniil Stepanov came out of the scrum in front of the net with his arms raised and the goal light on behind him. After a brief review, it was determined to be no goal.
At the 6:19 mark of the third, the Raiders tied it up with a power-play goal. A four-on-three advantage gave extra space to the power play unit and Wiesblatt took advantage. He skated towards goal, faked a shot, skated to the post and tucked in his 13th goal of the year to make it a 1-1 game.
After the media timeout, the Raiders ran into penalty trouble and found themselves down two skaters. Rockets captain Nolan Foote wired a shot from the left faceoff circle that beat Bilous to give his team the 2-1 lead with 6:33 to play.
The Raiders then were assessed two more penalties, not giving much time for a late push. However, they had chances to tie the game with Bilous on the bench for the extra attacker. The best chance came when Landon Kosior's point shot was stopped by Basran and popped up in the air. Justin Nachbaur was able to get a stick on it, but his deflection on the rebound went wide of the goal.
Bilous finished the game with 13 saves for the Raiders. Basran stopped 26 shots to pick up the win for the Rockets.
Up next for the Raiders is a trip to Moose Jaw on Saturday night to take on the Warriors (9-15-1-0). Puck drop is 7 p.m. Head to The Rock And Iron Sports Bar to watch the game, or listen on 900 CKBI with Trevor Redden.
The next Raiders' home game is on Wednesday night when the Medicine Hat Tigers come to the Art Hauser Centre for the Wawanesa Toy Drive in support of the Optimist Club of Prince Albert. Fans can bring a new and unwrapped toy for donation to the Optimist Club's Santa Anonymous program for a chance to win tickets to the 2020 Memorial Cup Presented By Kia in Kelowna.
Tickets for Wednesday's game are available at the Raiders Office and at raiderhockey.com. For more information on the Wawanesa Toy Drive, visit wawanesa.com/toydrive.
Also, the Raiders' auction for Ugly Christmas Sweater Night Presented By Lakeland Ford is now underway. Bid on or outright buy a jersey at https://www.32auctions.com/UglyChristmasSweaters. The Raiders will wear the jerseys on Friday, December 13 against the Winnipeg ICE. Pick up tickets at the Raiders Office and at raiderhockey.com.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2019
- Krane Lifts Pats to a Point in OT Loss - Regina Pats
- Raiders Fall To Rockets - Prince Albert Raiders
- Warriors Downed by Rebels Friday at Mosaic Place - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Early Deficit Too Much for Broncos in Loss to Everett - Swift Current Broncos
- Teddy Bear Toss Game Hub: December 7 - Portland Winterhawks
- Kelowna opens road trip with a 2-1 win in Prince Albert - Kelowna Rockets
- Knak Invited to Switzerland Camp - Portland Winterhawks
- Lang and Baragano to Attend U-20 National Team Camps - Kamloops Blazers
- Silvertips Acquire 4th Round Selection in '20 from Seattle for Patterson - Everett Silvertips
- T-Birds Acquire Max Patterson from Everett - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Game 28 at Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
- ICE and Pats Meet for Third Time this Season - Winnipeg Ice
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, December 6 vs. Edmonton - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Conclude Seven-Game Road Stretch in Winnipeg Friday - Regina Pats
- T-Birds Acquire First, Second, and Fifth Round Picks from Kelowna for Matthew Wedman - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Chiefs Acquire Veteran Forward Leif Mattson from Kelowna - Spokane Chiefs
- Rockets acquire Matthew Wedman from Seattle, send Leif Mattson to Spokane - Kelowna Rockets
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