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WHL Prince Albert Raiders

Raiders Knock off Defending WHL Champions 3-2 in Seattle

November 15, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release


It was an entertaining game in Kent on Tuesday night at accesso ShoWare Center, and it saw the Prince Albert Raiders defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2. Three first period goals was all it took for the Raiders, as they held on the rest of the way to pick up their 12th win of the season.

The Raiders got off to a hot start, scoring three goals in the opening 7:33. Ryder Ritchie opened the scoring with 13:13 left in the first period, as he snapped a two game pointless streak. Ritchie gathered a pass from Aiden Oiring at the Seattle blueline and blue a tire near the left circle, but quickly regrouped. Ritchie threw a backhand shot on goal that fooled Spencer Michnik for his 12th goal of the season to put the Raiders up 1-0.

Prince Albert took a 2-0 lead under a minute later, as they continued to apply pressure in the Thunderbirds end. Hayden Pakkala fed a pass to Easton Kovacs at the point, and he fired a shot on goal. In front was Niall Crocker, who tipped the shot home for his seventh goal of the season. The goal was initially credited to Kovacs, but changed to Crocker after the first period.

The Raiders didn't score on their first powerplay of the game, but were rewarded with another one moments later. On their second man advantage, Justice Christensen gave the green and gold a 3-0 lead. Crocker teed up Christensen for a one timer, and he fired a bullet past Michnik for his fourth goal of the season, which gave the Raiders an early 3-0 lead. The goal chased Michnik from the Seattle goal, as he was replaced between the pipes by Scott Ratzlaff.

The goalie change gave the Thunderbirds a little bit of life, as it was their turn to apply pressure in the Raider zone in the second half of the first period. Seattle was rewarded with their first goal of the game with exactly one minute left in the opening frame, as Antonio Martorana put the T-Birds on the board. Braden Cootes sent a pass to the slot for Martorana, who fired a one timer that just snuck through the five hole of Max Hildebrand. Martorana's eighth goal of the season made it a 3-1 game after 20 minutes of play.

Just one goal was scored in the second period, and it came on Seattle's first powerplay of the game. After Max Hildebrand made a highlight reel save in tight, the rebound came back to Jordan Gustafson, and he fed a pass across to Jeremy Hanzel. Hanzel blasted a one timer from the right circle that beat Hildebrand to make it a 3-2 game. After 40 minutes, the Raiders outshot the Thunderbirds 23-18, and took a 3-2 lead into the third period.

No goals were scored in the third period, but the shots favoured Seattle 10-8 in the final 20 minutes. The Raiders had the only two powerplays in the third period, but failed to score on either.

Seattle really turned on the pressure in the late stages of regulation, throwing pucks and bodies at Max Hildebrand. Off-setting roughing calls late meant four on four hockey was played for the remainder of the game, with Scott Ratzlaff heading to the Thundebirds bench to make it a five on four powerplay situation for Seattle with an empty net. Hildebrand was forced to make a couple of key saves in the final 60 seconds, including tracking a loose puck in a pile up in front of him. Hildebrand finished the night with 26 saves on 28 shots in the win for Prince Albert, as they improved to 12-9-0-1 on the season.

The Raiders are back in action tomorrow night in Everett as they take on the Silvertips. Puck drop is 9:05 Sask time.

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