Raiders Start Road Trip with 4-2 Win in Lethbridge
November 9, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders started their seven-game road trip on a positive note, picking up a 4-2 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday night at the Enmax Centre.
After a scoreless first period that saw the Raiders outshoot the Hurricanes 8-7, Lethbridge opened the scoring 51 seconds into the second period. After some early relentless pressure forced Max Hildebrand to make a couple of big saves, Leo Braillard finally opened the scoring. After Hildebrand couldn't quite control a rebound, Braillard followed up with a shot from the low slot that beat the Raider netminder over the glove. His fourth goal of the season gave the home side a 1-0 lead early in the middle frame.
The Raiders found themselves on a long powerplay after Cole Cairns was handed a five-minute major and game misconduct for a checking to the head penalty. The green and gold cashed in on the man advantage, as Brayden Dube tied things up. From near the goal line, Dube attempted to slip a pass across the crease, but it went off of a Lethbridge defender's stick and over goalie Harrison Meneghin. Dube was credited with his seventh goal of the season, as it became a 1-1 game just past the midway mark of the second.
In the final minute of the second, the Raiders took their first lead of the night. Jacob Hoffrogge sent a lead feed ahead to Ritchie, who juggled the puck a couple of times near the Lethbridge blue line. Ritchie then skated in and fired a shot from the bottom of the left circle past Meneghin's ear and in for his 11th goal of the campaign. The late strike gave the Raiders a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. They also led on the shot clock by a 22-18 margin.
Ritchie was given a penalty shot early in the third period, after he was slashed on a breakaway. However, the Raider forward couldn't convert. Lethbridge was also given a penalty shot in the third period, but couldn't find the back of the net either.
Justice Christensen gave the Raiders a 3-1 lead with 8:10 left in the third period on the powerplay. Ritchie sent a pass to the point for the Raider blueliner. Christensen sent a seeing eye shot on goal with Niall Crocker screening in front, and he found the back of the net. Christensen's second goal of the season gave Prince Albert a two goal lead.
Kooper Gizowski responded for Lethbridge with 6:14 left in the third. He buried his sixth goal of the season to make it a one goal game again in the later stages of regulation, as it became a 3-2 game.
The Raiders put the game to bed with 1:04 left in the third, as Aiden Oiring flipped a shot down the ice from the neutral zone and into an empty net. His seventh goal of the season into the yawning cage made it a 4-2 game.
Prince Albert improved to 10-8-0-1 with the win, and kick off their seven-game road trip on the right foot.
The Raiders are back in action on Friday night in Spokane. Puck drop is at 9pm Sask time.
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