Gabe Ludwig prepares to fend off a Pats defender druing a game on Dec. 9, 2022. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Raiders drop fourth straight

Raiders comeback efforts fall short against Pats

Dec 9, 2022 | 10:38 PM

PRINCE ALBERT, SK – The Prince Albert Raiders made a valiant effort to comeback on Friday night, but the Regina Pats managed to just edge out the Raiders 3-2 at the Art Hauser Centre.

The loss is the most recent in a string of losses for the Green and Gold where they have now lost four straight.

When asked about his teams play tonight and what needs to change for tomorrow’s game against Saskatoon, Raiders head coach Jeff Truitt said that it all comes down to how you start the game.

“We didn’t protect the ice well enough in that first period,” he said. “We got puck focused and our feet started drifting. We made (some) vital mistakes that gave them big opportunities. We can’t give up big quality opportunities against (teams) like Regina and Saskatoon, so things got to tighten up, for sure.”

PA rookie Ryder Ritchie scored the goal that sent the stuffies soaring in the Art Hauser Centre on Friday where he said that it was very memorable experience for him.

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“It was pretty cool,” he said. “I’ve never experienced a game like this before. Packed barn, lots of teddy bears. It was a good experience.”

Ritchie also had an assist on Sorensen’s third period marker while Landon Kosior also tallied an assist.

Riley Ginnell paved the way for Regina scoring twice. Stanislav Svozil also scored in the contest while Alexander Suzdalev, Tanner Howe, Borya Valis, and Easton Armstrong all tallied helpers.

Max Hildebrand made 16 stops for PA in loss where PA now falls to 10-17-1-1 on the campaign.

Drew Sim was a brick wall in net for the Pats, turning aside 25 shots to help Regina improve to 15-12-1-1 on the year.

COMPLETE BOX SCORE

The Raiders and Pats battled it out through a fast paced and exciting opening frame, but it would be Regina who came out of the period on top. Svozil and Ginnell both found the back of the net just five minutes apart to double up PA 2-0 heading into the second.

Regina made it 3-0 in the early minutes of the middle period when Ginnell potted his second of the night to extend the Pats lead.

Finally at the 4:50 mark of the frame, the teddies came raining down.

The original shot came from a tough angle and was easily stopped by Sim who then covered the puck to ice it, or so he thought. The puck sat unattended just off to the side of the goal when Ritchie swatted at the puck with stick and chipped up and over the netminder to put the Raiders on the board and to let the fluff fly.

The goal resulted in a lengthy delay as they had to clean up the teddies and resurface the ice due to tire tracks being left behind by one of the vehicles helping clean up.

Less than two minutes into the third and the Raiders continued the pressure and started to rally back. Kosior let a howitzer go from the point that ended up hitting Sorensen who set a screen in front. Sorensen then collected the loose puck and put it into the open cage, taking advantage of the clueless Regina netminder.

The Raiders pulled Hildebrand in the final minutes but couldn’t do anything with extra attacker as the Pats held on to win it 3-2.

A quick turnaround for Prince Albert now where in less than 24 hours, they’ll be back on the ice to host the Saskatoon Blades for the first time this season. Puck drop is at 7pm.

—

logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann