Watterodt Nets Hat Trick as Raiders Fall 3-1 to the Blades
December 27, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Three goals from Saskatoon Blades forward Vaughn Watterodt was all the offense the Saskatoon Blades needed on Tuesday night, as they took down the Prince Albert Raiders 3-1 at SaskTel Centre. It was teddy bear toss night in Saskatoon, as the Blades were the last team in the WHL to host the event.
The bears were released from the stands with 3:14 left in the first period, as the Blades opened the scoring. After a first chance from Saskatoon resulted in a shot off the post, the rebound came in front to Vaughn Watterodt. Spinning with a backhand shot, Watterodt's bid found the back bar over Max Hildebrand's blocker, coming back out of the net in a hurry, but the official on the goal line ruled a good goal. A quick video review confirmed the puck did indeed go in, as the Blades took a 1-0 lead, and the clean up of teddy bears began.
Since the goal came with less than five minutes in the frame, the first intermission began, as the Raiders went to the dressing room, while the Blades helped with the clean up, before heading to their own room.
After both teams hit the ice again for the remainder of the first period, the Blades went up by a 2-0 score, and it was Watterodt again who scored the home side. Skating down the left wing, Watterodt fired a shot far side, this time over Hildebrand's glove. Much like his first goal, Watterodt's shot hit the back bar and immediately bounced back out. The official called it a goal, and another quick video review confirmed the second goal of the night, as the Blades took a 2-0 lead with 59 seconds left in what was remaining in the first period.
Watterodt wasn't done their, as with 2:53 left in the second, as well as 50 seconds left on a Raider powerplay, the Blades forward cashed home his third goal of the contest. After his original shot was kicked away by Hildebrand, the rebound came right back to Watterodt, who buried the second chance opportunity. The shorthanded marker continued the celebrations in Saskatoon, as the teddy bears turned into hats with the 3-0 goal.
Carson Latimer almost dug into that lead in the dying seconds of the second period, as he nearly pulled off a highlight reel goal. Toe dragging twice through Blades defenders, Latimer was hooked at the tail end of the play by Brandon Lisowsky. While the penalty may have saved a goal, it put the Raiders on the powerplay with two seconds left in the middle frame, and that man advantage carried into the third period, with the Blades holding a 3-0 lead, while they also led 23-12 in shots.
Carter Anderson broke Austin Elliott's shutout bid with 1:07 left in the third period. Streaking down the right wing, Anderson lowered his shoulder and cut towards the net. Anderson flipped the puck on goal and went crashing into the crease, knocking Elliott out of position, but the puck ended up in the back of the net. The Blades were calling for a goalie interference call, but a video review confirmed a good goal. Anderson picked up his second goal with the Raiders after being traded from the Red Deer Rebels earlier this season, scoring his fifth goal overall in the 2022-23 campaign, making it a 3-1 game.
The late goal was not enough for the green and gold, as the Blades were able to shut things down in the final minute and take a 3-1 victory on home ice. Hildebrand turned aside 32 of 35 shots in the loss, while Elliott stopped 15 of 16 Raider shots in the victory.
The Raiders (11-20-2-0) will return to action at home on Friday night against the Regina Pats. Puck drop us 7pm.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2022
- Oil Kings Dropped by Rebels - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Watterodt Nets Hat Trick as Raiders Fall 3-1 to the Blades - Prince Albert Raiders
- WORLD JUNIORS: Svozil Guides Czechia to 9-0 Win Over Austria, As Czechia Improves to 2-0 - Regina Pats
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- Game Day Preview December 27 at Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
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