Czechia import Matej Kubiesa contests an Oil Kings pass during an earlier meeting this season. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Gameday preview

Raiders welcome Oil Kings to wrap up season series

Mar 8, 2024 | 12:13 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders (29-27-1-3) return to action on Friday night after nearly a week off, hosting the Edmonton Oil Kings (22-36-2-1) to wrap up the regular season at the Art Hauser Centre.

The two clubs have met three previous times this season with the Raiders coming out on top just once with the only win coming back on Oct. 7 by a 4-1 decision in Edmonton. The other two contests resulted in 3-0 and 6-4 victories for the Oil Kings.

Entering Friday, the Raiders occupy the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, sitting two points ahead of Calgary while trailing seventh-place Lethbridge by one point and sixth-place Brandon by three.

Prince Albert also comes into the contest on the heels of a loss in their contest, falling 4-3 to Lethbridge on Saturday. Before the loss, the Raiders were riding a three-game win streak that featured a pair of wins against Brandon and one against Red Deer. Despite the latest setback, the Raiders are 3-2-0 in their last five while also being 7-3-0 in their last 10.

Meanwhile, the Oil Kings come to Hockeytown North with nothing to lose as they have already been eliminated from playoff contention and sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Like the Raiders, Edmonton also comes into the game on a loss, taking a beating at the hands of Swift Current 8-2. The Oil Kings are also 2-3 in their last five and 6-4 in their last 10.

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Following the game, the Raiders will have a quick turnaround as they hit the ice again on Saturday hosting the Medicine Hat Tigers to wrap up the season series at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m.

A look at the Eastern Conference entering Friday’s contest.

Who to Watch

Polish import Krzysztof Macias has been turning heads over the last few games following his outstanding performances in the last stretch. The Raiders rookie had points in six of his last eight games which includes five multi-point outings, highlighted by four assists against Brandon on Feb. 24 and a pair of two-goal, one-assist performances versus Brandon on Feb. 10 and last game against Lethbridge on Saturday. Over the stretch, the 19-year-old potted 15 points to make it 41 in the year.

Forward Ryder Ritchie continues to look like his old self since coming back from injury as he found the back of the net in his last outing against Lethbridge. The marker came early in the first period which made it four points (2g, 2a) in his first five games since returning to action. The points added to his season total of 15 goals and 20 assists while helping him eclipse the 90-point mark in his career. In five career games against Edmonton, the 2024 NHL Draft prospect has three goals and three assists.

More information about Friday game.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com