Nolan Maier stood tall all night in game three, stopping all 26 shots faced by the Raiders including this second period attempt by Noah Gregor. (Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Trevor Redden

Raiders looking to bounce back after game three setback

Apr 10, 2019 | 4:31 PM

After being stymied by Blades goaltender Nolan Maier in game three, the Prince Albert Raiders are determined to push back in game four.

Maier earned his first career playoff shutout with 26 saves on Tuesday night at SaskTel Centre, giving the Raiders their first taste of defeat this post-season.

Prince Albert Head Coach Marc Habscheid commended Maier’s play, but acknowledged some tough luck in the game as well.

“I thought we had a really good game, but we didn’t have a great game. I thought their goalie played real good, he was the difference. But we hit posts, we broke sticks on great opportunities, pucks bounced over sticks, those types of things,” Habscheid said.

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As for the message heading into game four, he said it’s about sticking to their identity.

“We like to play a fast game. We just want to keep up the pace,” Habscheid said.

Tuesday was the first time in this series where the Blades have outshot the Raiders, edging the visitors 27-26. Through three games, the Raiders have outshot Saskatoon 97-77, and have outscored the Blades 9-4.

Special teams played a smaller role in game three than they had in the previous two, as the teams combined for 17 power plays in games one and two in Prince Albert. On Tuesday the Blades had a pair of opportunities on the man advantage, and the Raiders had one.

So far in the series, Prince Albert is three for 12 on their power plays, while Saskatoon is one for eight.

Game four goes Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at SaskTel Centre. You can hear all the action on CKBI with the pregame show beginning at 6.

Tuesday’s result has also guaranteed a game five back in Prince Albert on Friday night. Tickets go on sale at the Raider box office on Thursday at 9 a.m., and online Thursday at 10 a.m.

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trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden