(Submitted Photo/Steve Hiscock/Saskatoon Blades)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Raiders Hockey

Raiders’ playoff race even more crowded and complicated after Blades’ Maier sets WHL record

Apr 8, 2022 | 9:56 PM

The super-crowded WHL Eastern Conference playoff race just got even more jammed up after the Prince Albert Raiders lost their game 2-0 to the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday at SaskTel Centre. Not only did Blades goaltender Nolan Maier get a 20-save shutout, but he also set a new WHL record for career wins with 121.

The Raiders’ defeat keeps them at 57 points with two games remaining. But in Swift Current, the Regina Pats defeated the Swift Current Broncos 4-2. The Broncos still have 59 points but only have one game remaining—against the Raiders next Friday. As that is good news of sorts for the Raiders, the Pats are now just two points back of the Raiders after their victory, with two less games played.

“We need everybody really battling and extending themselves as much as they can. We know the situation,” Raiders assistant coach Jeff Truitt said. “When push comes to shove, it will come down to wins and losses, and we need this win tomorrow.”

The Lethbridge Hurricanes also clinched a playoff spot with their point in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Red Deer Rebels. That leaves only the eighth spot unclaimed.

Here’s what the standings look like after Friday’s results.

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7. x Lethbridge Hurricanes, 65 points, 3 games remaining

8. Swift Current Broncos, 59 points, 1 game remaining

9. Calgary Hitmen, 58 points, 4 games remaining

10. Prince Albert Raiders, 57 points, 3 games remaining

11. Regina Pats, 55 points, 4 games remaining

Blades 2 Raiders 0

Both teams seemed to cancel each other out for the 50 minutes of the game, with both teams sprinkling in a few chances.

Blades forward Egor Sidorov drew a double-minor for high-sticking at the midway point of the third period. After getting some gauze in his nose to stop the bleeding, Sidorov then scored the go-ahead goal on a rebound, 12:17 into the third.

“It was a tight-checking 50 minutes, and we knew if somebody got an opportunity, they’re going to bear down on your chances. We were in the same boat, if we get those opportunities, we have to bear down—but they did it,” Truitt said. “We’re on the penalty kill and we don’t clear the puck. We had chances to clear the puck up, just simple plays. When you start stickhandling and slowing things down rather than just, on the penalty kill, hack it down the ice as much as you can.”

Tyler Wong scored on his own rebound with 1:59 left in regulation to give the Blades an insurance goal.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

No scoring.

Third Period

1-0, Blades, Egor Sidorov from Tanner Molendyk and Noah Boyko (power play), 12:17

2-0, Blades, Trevor Wong from Brandon Lisowsky and Egor Sidorov, 18:01

Pats

The Raiders will take on the Pats at the Brandt Centre in Regina. Rob Mahon will have your call of the game on CKBI, starting at 6:30 p.m.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW