Raiders Snap Losing Streak Against Hitmen
February 9, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Prince Albert, Sask. - The Prince Albert Raiders (16-24-1-1) ended a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Calgary Hitmen (18-16-5-2) at the Art Hauser Centre on Tuesday night.
For the second consecutive game, Cale Sanders recorded a pair of goals. Tayem Gislason, Keaton Sorensen, and Landon Kosior also scored in the win. Reece Vitelli and Carson Latimer each had a pair of assists in the contest.
Tikhon Chaika picked up his 10th win of the season while setting a Raiders record in the Internet Era, dating back to the 1996-97 season. He broke the record for most consecutive appearances with 24. The record was previously held by Rejean Beauchemin, who appeared in 23 straight games during the 2003-04 season.
The Hitmen got on the board first with 6:44 to play in the opening frame. Anton Astashevich went to circle the net, but instead dropped a pass to Brandon Whynott who deposited the puck into the empty side of the net.
Four minutes later, the Raiders levelled the score. Vitelli made a pass from the right corner to Gislason at the left point. Gislason was able to skate to the top of the left faceoff circle to beat Brayden Peters with a shot for his third goal of the season, making it a 1-1 game after 20 minutes.
The Raiders took the lead 6:53 into the middle frame. Hayden Pakkala forced a turnover at the right halfboards. He drove to the net and sent a pass across the crease to Sanders who buried his ninth of the season, putting the Raiders up 2-1.
Late in the second, the Hitmen tied things up with a power-play goal. Chaika was able to make the first save on Blake Stevenson before robbing Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Sean Tschigerl from his stomach. The rebound did find the stick of Stevenson again who finally lifted it over the sprawled Raiders goaltender to send the game to the intermission tied up at 2-2.
At the 4:59 mark of the third, the Raiders regained the lead for good. On a rush into the Hitmen's end, Vitelli sent a pass to Latimer on the right wing. The Ottawa Senators prospect sent a quick pass across the crease to Sorensen who had his initial attempt stopped. Sorensen stayed with it and jammed in the rebound for his eighth of the season.
Sanders struck again midway through the second period. He forced a turnover deep in the Hitmen's end on a Calgary power play. He turned and with ample time and snapped a shot off the right post and in for his 10th of the year.
Landon Kosior iced the game with an empty-net marker from just inside the red line for his 10th of the year, rounding out the scoring at 5-2.
Chaika stopped 30 shots in the victory for the Raiders; Peters made 33 saves in the loss for the Hitmen.
The Raiders are off until Friday night when they head to Moose Jaw to battle the Warriors at Mosaic Place. Game time is 7 p.m. Catch the game on WHL Live on CHL TV, or head to The Rock And Iron Club House or Original Joe's to watch.
The next Raiders' home game is on Saturday night when the Lethbridge Hurricanes make their first trip to the Art Hauser Centre in more than two years. Tickets are available at the Raiders Office and at SaskTix.ca.
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