Ritchie's Late Goal Propels Raiders to 4-3 Win Over Pats
September 16, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders hosted the Regina Pats on Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre, looking to extend their pre-season winning streak to three games. Regina erased a 3-1 deficit late in the third period, but Ryder Ritchie scored the game winning goal with 37 seconds left in regulation to give the Raiders a 4-3 victory on home ice.
The Raiders struck early in the first period, as Ritchie put the home side up just 1:44 into the contest. Taking a pass from Sloan Stanick, Ritchie circled around and fired a shot from the slot, beating Ewan Huet. The quick strike was Ritchie's second goal of the pre-season, as he gave Prince Albert a 1-0 lead.
1:04 later, Justice Christensen doubled Prince Albert's lead. After his initial long distance shot was stopped, Christensen crashed the net and buried his own rebound. His second goal of the pre-season gave the Raiders a 2-0 lead just 5:49 into the game.
The Pats failed to score on two powerplay chances, while the Raiders couldn't convert on their only man advantage of the first period. 2-0 would be the score in favour of Prince Albert after 20 minutes, with the shots also favouring PA by an 11-8 margin.
The Raiders jumped out to a 3-0 lead with 5:55 left in the second period, as Justice Christensen scored his second goal of the night. The Pats responded with a goal of their own 1:36 later, as Zack Stringer scored Regina's first goal of the night. After an original shot was blocked, Stringer pounced on the rebound and scored his first goal of the pre-season to make it a 3-1 game.
With six more penalties called in the middle frame and neither team able to capitalize on their respective powerplays, Prince Albert went to the dressing room after 40 minutes holding onto their 3-1 lead.
That lead evaporated in the third period, as Regina scored twice in a span of 1:31 to tie the game. With 3:55 left in regulation, Tye Spencer struck on a Pats powerplay to make it a 3-2 game. Then 91 seconds later, Spencer buried another goal on even strength to tie the game. After controlling the action for most of the game, the Raiders were suddenly stuck in their own end, giving up a pair of goals to make it a 3-3 game.
When it seemed like overtime was going to be needed to find a winner, Ryder Ritchie changed the outcome with 37 seconds left in regulation. Taking a lead feed from Christensen, the winger bolted down the right wing and fired a shot past Huet for his second goal of the night. In the late stages of the game, Ritchie delivered with the game winning goal, giving Prince Albert a 4-3 win.
All three of the Raiders' pre-season wins have been decided by one goal (2-1, 4-3, 4-3). The team wraps up exhibition play tomorrow night in Warman against the Saskatoon Blades. Puck drop is 7pm.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 16, 2023
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- Rockets Fall To Royals In Final Pre-Season Contest - Kelowna Rockets
- Warriors Drop Preseason Finale to Wheat Kings - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Perfect Power Play Powers Wheat Kings Past Warriors - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Raiders Win Shootout Thriller to Finish with Flawless Pre-Season Record - Prince Albert Raiders
- Tigers Close Out Pre Season With 10-3 Win Over The Broncos - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Isogai Scores Twice, Adds Assist in 4-2 Wild Win at Tri-City Saturday - Wenatchee Wild
- Streek Scores Twice As Chiefs Wrap Up Preseason With Tough 6-2 Loss To Winterhawks - Spokane Chiefs
- Hawks Conclude Preseason with Fourth Straight Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Preview: Pre Season Game #4 at Swift Current - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Wild West Showdown at Co-Op Place Leads to Tigers 10-7 Victory Over Broncos - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Oil Kings Dump Cougars in Pre-Season Action - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Pats Make Late Comeback, But Fall 4-3 - Regina Pats
- Warriors Fall to Wheat Kings in Brandon on Friday - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Hawks Win Third Straight Contest - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Narrowly Fall to Oil Kings in Exciting Pre-Season Showdown in Grande Cache - Prince George Cougars
- Broncos Fall to Tigers in Wild Pre-Season Affair in Medicine Hat - Swift Current Broncos
- Hitmen Conclude Preseason Play in Red Deer - Calgary Hitmen
- Ritchie's Late Goal Propels Raiders to 4-3 Win Over Pats - Prince Albert Raiders
- Rockets Lose, 7-4, to Giants - Kelowna Rockets
- Giants Top Rockets on the Road 7-4 - Vancouver Giants
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