Stanick plays the puck against Kelowna during their lone meeting last season on Feb. 4, 2023. (Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

By Logan Lehmann

Gameday Preview

Raiders welcome Rockets in last game before break

Dec 15, 2023 | 12:33 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders (17-14-0-2) are wrapping up their four-game homestand on Friday night as the Kelowna Rockets (13-15-2-0) are in town for P.A’s final game before the Christmas Break.

The contest is also the first time the Rockets have been to the Art Hauser Centre since Dec. 6, 2019 when Kelowna downed the Raiders 2-1.

Coming into tonight, the Raiders prevailed in their last game winning 3-1 over Kamloops. The win was the third of their last five games and the second of the homestand, with the other win coming against Calgary back on Dec. 8.

For Kelowna, they were losers in their last game on Wednesday when they fell 6-3 in Brandon. So far on their East Division road trip, the Rockets are 2-1 with wins against Moose Jaw and Regina. In their last five games, Kelowna is 3-2 with the only other loss coming on Dec. 2 when Seattle beat them 3-2.

Last season saw the first meeting between the teams since 2019 when the Raiders wrapped up their B.C. Division road trip in Kelowna with a 4-0 loss.

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After tonight, P.A. heads on their Christmas break and returns to action on Dec. 27 when they head to Saskatoon to face the Blades.

How the WHL stands ahead of tonight’s interconference matchup.

Who to Watch

Veteran Sloan Stanick looks to become the first Raider to crack the 40 point mark this season. The 20-year-old currently has 39 points to his name coming into tonight and has points in 13 of his last 15 games. At the halfway mark of the season, the pride of Rapid City, Man. is on pace to break his career high of 64 points.

NHL Draft prospect Ryder Ritchie surpassed the 30 point milestone of the season earlier this month and looks to continue to build following a rough patch. The Kelowna product went eight games without lighting the lamp and managed to get the monkey off his back against Calgary one week ago. After being held off the scoresheet last game, the sophomore will look to redeem himself against his hometown team.

Rookie Luke Moroz had the opening goal in Tuesday’s contest to add to his promising totals. Entering the back half of the season, the Grand Coulee, Sask. born forward now has two goals and two assists in 19 games.

More information on tonight’s matchup.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com