Raiders defenceman Nolan Allan collides with Braxton Whitehead of the Regina Pats earlier in the season. (Submitted photo/Mark Peterson Media)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Raiders Hockey

Raiders now tied with Pats with 57 points after loss in Regina

Apr 9, 2022 | 10:23 PM

The good news is the Prince Albert Raiders are still just two points out of a playoff spot, and one point behind ninth place.

The bad news is the Raiders are running out of games to make up the ground, while now having some company at the 57-point make. After the Regina Pats beat the Raiders 5-3 on Saturday, both teams are now tied at 57 points. The Pats also still have three games remaining, while the Raiders have just two.

The Raiders did get some help from the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday, as the Hurricanes (who clinched a playoff spot on Friday) defeated the Calgary Hitmen 5-1. The Hitmen stay in ninth with 58 points as a result.

Even as we quickly approach the end of the regular season, the hunt for the final playoff spot is still quite tense.

8. Swift Current Broncos, 59 points, 2 games remaining

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9. Calgary Hitmen, 58 points, 3 games remaining

10. Regina Pats, 57 points, 3 games remaining

11. Prince Albert Raiders, 57 points, 2 games remaining

Raiders Pats

Evan Herman scored twice in the defeat, returned to the game quickly after being shoved into Pats goaltender Kelton Pyne, and was a puck hound throughout the game. Reece Vitelli assisted on both of Herman’s goals as well.

Raiders assistant coach Jeff Truitt said the Raiders’ veteran players, especially Herman and Vitelli, did everything they could.

“They know what’s at stake and they don’t want it to end. They’ve given it all for us, and that’s what we’ve been asking for, for quite a long time,” Truitt said. “Those guys keep battling for us, keeping pushing. The human element says ‘jeepers, can you do it one more time?’ But this group is highly determined. They never let you down with their effort.”

Prince Albert’s Tanner Howe was an absolute terror in the game against his hometown team. The Pats’ rookie scored the Pats’ first goal, blocking a Nolan Allan shot and scoring a shorthanded goal in the first period. Howe then set up Connor Bedard for the second. Howe also added an assist on Logan Nijhoff’s empty-net goal.

Bedard ended up with a pair of goals for the Pats, putting him at 49 on the season. The Pats had a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes, but Herman scored 1:44 into the third to make it a one-goal game. Keaton Sorensen drew a penalty shot at the four-minute mark of the period but hit the post with his would-be equalizing attempt.

Bedard’s second goal restored the Pats’ two-goal lead, but Herman’s goal 40 seconds later would make it a 4-3 game with 12:34 left in the game. The Raiders would hunt for the tying goal, but would never find it. Pats’ captain Logan Nijhoff scored late on the empty net to seal it.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Pats, Tanner Howe, (shorthanded, unassisted), 16:04

Second Period

1-1, Raiders, Cale Sanders (unassisted, shorthanded), 2:45

2-1, Pats, Connor Bedard from Tanner Howe, 6:19

3-1, Pats, Borya Valis from Braxton Whitehead from Cole Carrier (power play), 16:36

Third Period

3-2, Raiders, Evan Herman from Reece Vitelli and Landon Kosior, 1:44

4-2, Pats, Connor Bedard from Neithan Salame and Jakob Brook (power play), 6:46

4-3, Raiders, Evan Herman from Reece Vitelli and Remy Aquilon, 7:26

5-3, Pats, Logan Nijhoff from Connor Bedard and Tanner Howe (empty net), 18:20

Last two

The Raiders have just two games left on their regular-season schedule, Friday against the Swift Current Broncos on the road and Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

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jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW