Raiders drop season opener in Saskatoon

paNOW.com Staff

A power play hiccup and  a 1:40 lapse in the third period cost the Raiders a 4-3 setback in Saskatoon on opening night in the WHL.

The visitors from Prince Albert rode the stellar goaltending of Eric Williams through the first 25 minutes and trailled only 1-0 despite being outplayed. The 18-year-old made his biggest save early on came on Blades centreman Brent Benson from the slot as Williams flashed the trapper to take away a sure goal.

The only puck to beat him during an 18 shot barrage in the opening frame was a quick snap shot from Jesse Pradis on a Saskatoon power play that defelected off a fallen P.A. defenseman on the Blades first power play of the game.

The Raiders seized the momentum when Tyler Yaworski's blast from the left wing boards tied the game at the 5:10 mark of the second period. Three minutes later the Raiders found themselves with a two man advantage for 1:34. However, Blade penalty killers got into passing lanes and blocked shots until a mistake in the Prince Albert zone proved costly.

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An ill fated pass from Williams to Antoine Corbin deflected off the Raider defenseman right to Paradis who would score on the breakaway while the Blades were two men short sending the Credit Union Centre crowd of 7,143 into a frenzy. The 20-year-old Paradis who was picked up on waivers this week from Moose Jaw also earned first star honours.  

Two quick goals from Chris Collins and Brent Benson from close in gave the Blades a 4-1 lead, but the Raiders would storm back with two rapid fire goals just 28 seconds apart from Justin Maylan and Mike Winther with just over 10 minutes to go. It took just 2:24 for the teams to count four goals.

The Raider came within inches of tying the game moments later Corbin when ripped a right wing wrist shot  off the post.

Although the Raiders had a few chances to tie the game in the late going, they couldn't bury the equalizer. Veteran Brandon Herrod had best chance with just over a minute to go but was denied point blank by the quick trapper of Blades goalie Adam Morrison.

The Blades also held the line of Herrod, Mark McNeill and Todd Fiddler off the scoresheet  Maylan and Yawroski led the Raider offense with a goal and an assist each.

Saskatoon held a 44-33 edge in shots and won the specialty teams battle by going 1-for-7 on the power play while killing off all four Raider advantages including the shorthanded marker by Paradis.

The performance of the specialty teams was a snapshot of the entire effort by the Raiders. While there were dominant stretches there were also shifts that were inconsistant and lacked intensity.  

On the injury front 19-year-old Raider defenseman Tyler Vanscourt was shaken up in the second period after being taken into the boards by Benson. He only played one more shift. Defenseman Harrison Ruopp didn't dress and winger Austin Connor also missed Friday's game with an upper body injury. Both are listed as day-to-day.

Williams was named second star for his 40 save effort while Saskatoon defenseman Darren Dietz was the third star for his three assist performance.

The home-and-home series wraps up in Prince Albert Saturday night. The 900 CKBI Raider home opener will include player introductions and fireworks which the Raiders hope to carry into the contest.  

As of the close of business Friday, ticket sales for the Saturday game were over 2,000 with seasons tickets at 1,579. The puck will drop following the opening cerimonies at around 7:15pm.

dwilson@rawlco.com