Vladislav Shilo is on a five-game point scoring streak. (Submitted photo/Mark Peterson Media)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Raiders Hockey

Raiders hosting three important games this week as they chase for points and playoff hopes

Mar 30, 2022 | 11:55 AM

Every game in the past month or so has been critical for the Prince Albert Raiders, but now we are entering do-or-die territory. The Raiders will host three possible season-defining games this week, taking on the Brandon Wheat Kings both on Wednesday and again on Friday, before hosting the Regina Pats on Saturday.

The Raiders are currently in ninth place, four points out of a playoff spot. They do have two games in hand on the Swift Current Broncos—who currently occupy the final playoff spot in the hotly contested WHL Eastern Conference playoff race. The Pats may be in 11^th place but are just two points back of the Raiders with two games in hand. The Calgary Hitmen are also just one point back of the Raiders.

The Raiders are currently on an 0-3-1 streak, after an overtime defeat at home to the Winnipeg ICE last Tuesday, before losing all three games in three nights on their Manitoba road trip.

The Raiders started that trip with a 5-3 loss to the Wheat Kings, and look to make amends in a big way on Wednesday. Jake Chiasson scored just 13 seconds into Friday’s contest to kick off a chaotic first period, which the Wheat Kings led 3-2. The Wheat Kings took over the second period with two more goals, a shorthanded goal from Nolan Ritchie (his second of the game) and Riley Ginnell.

The Wheat Kings and Raiders have had a tightly contested season series, with the Raiders amassing a 2-2-1 record in the five games played between the two sides so far.

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The Raiders have only hosted the Wheat Kings once at the Art Hauser Centre this year, losing 5-4 in a shootout way back on Oct. 29. The rest of the games this year have been at Westoba Place, a 5-2 loss on Oct. 8, 3-1 victory on Oct. 30, 2-1 win on Nov. 27 before last Friday’s 5-3 defeat.

Landon Kosior has two goals and five points against the Wheat Kings this year, topping the current Raider roster (former Raider Kaiden Guhle had two goals and six points in three games before being moved to the Edmonton Oil Kings).

Vladislav Shilo has points in his last five games, with four goals and one assist.

Check out Rob Mahon’s call of the game on CKBI, with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW