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WHL Prince Albert Raiders

Raiders Get Weekend Split With 4-1 Win Over Broncos

February 11, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release


The Prince Albert Raiders snapped a three-game losing streak, as they beat the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday night at the Art Hauser Centre. It was a payback night of sorts, as the Raiders avenged a 4-0 loss the night before in Swift.

The opening minute of the game was the busiest minute. Just 19 seconds in, the net was knocked off in the Swift Current end. A delay was caused, as the ice crew had to come out and re-peg the net. Just 15 seconds after play resumed, the Broncos opened the scoring. A turnover by a Raider forward caused a pass to be picked off by Caleb Wyrostok. With time in the slot, Wyrostok sniped a shot blocker side past Max Hildebrand, giving the Broncos a very early 1-0 lead.

The Raiders tied things back up with 9:47 left in the first. After a scramble in front of netminder Reid Dyck, a loose puck was picked up by Harrison Lodewyk. After a couple of quick scoring chances, Lodewyk shoveled a shot past Dyck, tying the game at 1-1. The goal broke a goal-less drought for Prince Albert, dating all the way back to the second period against the Kamloops Blazers, a span of nearly three full games.

Late in the first period, a scary incident occurred, as Hayden Pakkala finished a check behind the Broncos goal. Pakkala took his man out, but the Bronco went headfirst into the dasher along the board, and was down on the ice for a few minutes, requiring a trainer to come out for assistance. Pakkala was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct, and the Broncos went to work on their second powerplay of the game. However, they failed to score on the man advantage in the first period, as it carried over into the second with both teams tied at 1-1.

The Raiders scored three goals in the second period to take a 4-1 lead, and the offensive explosion was started by Ryder Ritchie. Stepping into the zone, Ritchie toe dragged around a defender before firing a shot on goal. Dyck got a piece, but not all of the shot, and it trickled in past the goal line. Ritchie's 14th goal of the season put Prince Albert on top 4:04 into the middle frame.

Four and a half minutes later, that lead became 3-1, as the Raiders struck on the powerplay. A passing play behind the net led to the puck being sent out in front for Niall Crocker. Parked on the doorstep, Crocker fired a one timer home for his ninth goal of the season, giving the green and gold a two-goal lead.

With 57 seconds left in the second, the Raiders added another goal. After a centering feed from Gabe Ludwig just missed the tape of Dube, another scoring chance was generated. Dube picked the puck up in the far corner and fired a perfect pass in front. Wide open in tight was Keaton Sorensen, who redirected a shot on goal, beating Dyck for his 18th goal of the campaign. The late marker was a big one, as it gave the Raiders a 4-1 lead heading into the third.

Prince Albert was able to shut things down in the third period, thanks to Hildebrand being a brick wall between the pipes. The netminder finished the game with 33 saves on 34 shots, as the Raiders won by a 4-1 final.

Prince Albert improves to 20-28-3-0 with the win, and will look to stay in the win column when Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats come to town on Friday night. Puck drop is 7pm.

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