Raiders Survive Late Surge to Beat Pats 4-3
September 29, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders nearly saw a three goal lead disappear on Friday night, but the green and gold fended off the Regina Pats by a 4-3 final at the Art Hauser Centre.
Ryder Ritchie opened the scoring 5:41 into the game on a Raider powerplay. After a shot from Niall Crocker was stopped, the puck bounced over near the goal line halfway between the net and the corner boards. Ritchie picked up the rebound and fired home a bad angle shot, putting Prince Albert up 1-0 with his second goal of the season.
Seven minutes later the Pats tied things up during some four on four play. Defenceman Corbin Vaughan was the one to beat Chase Coward for Regina's first goal of the night, making it a 1-1 game with 7:05 left in the first.
Later in the first period, the Raiders were given a four minute powerplay after Vaughan was sent to the box for slew footing. That powerplay became a 4 on 3, as Aiden Oiring and Borya Valis were given penalties during the four minute stretch. The Raiders capitalized with the extra ice, as they scored their second powerplay goal of the game. A point shot from Justice Christensen hit Niall Crocker in the midsection right in front of the net, and Crocker was able to track the puck and slip a shot five hole past Ewan Huet. Crocker scored his first goal of the season, and it gave the Raiders a 2-1 lead with 1:19 left in the opening frame.
A total of seven penalties were called in the first period (5 to Regina, 2 to Prince Albert). As a result, the Raiders outshot Regina 13-7, and also took a 2-1 lead into the second period.
Brayden Dube scored the only goal of the second period, and it gave the Raiders a 3-1 lead. With 7:51 left in the middle frame, Dube wheeled around the zone, finding space in the right circle. From there, Dube sniped a shot bar down past Huet, who had no chance to fight it off. Dube collected his first goal of the season, as the Raiders ended the second period up by a pair of goals. After 40 minutes, the Raiders were also outshooting the Pats 22-12. The game was also turning into a penalty fest, with eight more penalties (5 to Prince Albert, 3 to Regina) called in the second period.
Nine minutes into the third period, the Raiders grabbed their first three goal lead of the night. It was Ritchie and Stanick on a two on one rush, with Ritchie carrying the puck. He dragged the puck around a defender, and everyone thought he was going to shoot, but he passed it to Stanick down low, and Stanick fired a one timer home. His first goal of the season was a big one, as it put Prince Albert up 4-1.
The Pats made things interesting down the stretch, however, as they scored twice in a one minute span to make it a one goal game. Cole Temple score to make it 4-2 with 2:59 left, and Tanner Howe scored in his hometown to make it 4-3 with 1:59 left.
Regina pulled the goalie and nearly tied the game with six seconds left in regulation, but Chase Coward shut the door on a Brayden Barnett breakaway chance. The final buzzer sounded after the ensuing faceoff, and the Raiders were able to hang on for the 4-3 win at home.
Prince Albert (2-2-0-0) will have the weekend off, before hosting the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday night at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is 7pm.
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