Raiders defenceman Justice Christensen battles a Regina attacker for puck possession on Oct. 21, 2023. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Gameday preview

Raiders pay Pats final visit of season in Regina

Mar 15, 2024 | 11:58 AM

The Prince Albert Raiders (30-28-2-3) are in Saskatchewan’s provincial capital for the final time this season, taking on the Regina Pats (21-36-4-2) at the Brandt Centre.

The Raiders come into Friday’s contest on the heels of a 4-2 loss to the Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday night. The loss was the third in their last five games and fourth in their last 10 but thankfully, it did not harm P.A. in the standings as they are still in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Three spots remain up for grabs in the Eastern Conference for this year’s postseason with four teams still in the mix: Brandon occupies the sixth spot with 67 points, Prince Albert and Lethbridge sit one game behind tied in the seventh and eighth spots with 65 points, while Calgary is on the outside looking in claiming ninth with 60 points.

Brandon has three games left on their regular season schedule while P.A. along with Lethbridge and Calgary each have five.

The Pats will be playing for pride during Friday’s game as they are already eliminated from playoff contention, which is their first time missing the postseason since 2022.

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Friday’s matchup is also Regina’s first game at home since Feb. 17 when they blanked Calgary 6-0. That game was also the Pats’ most recent win as they are riding a seven-game skid following their U.S. Division road trip as well as a stop in Moose Jaw. Regina comes into the game sitting last in the Eastern Conference.

The Pats and the Raiders have met four previous times out of their six-game season series, with Prince Albert taking three of the matchups. However, the most recent meeting went to Regina when they edged the Raiders 4-3 at the Brandt Centre on Jan. 13.

The two clubs will wrap up the season series on Wednesday night when the Pats visit the Art Hauser Centre for the final time. The Raiders are back in action on Saturday, closing out the season series with the Wheat Kings in Brandon.

A look at the Eastern Conference playoff race entering Friday night.

Who to Watch

Raiders rookie Krzysztof Macias continued to add to his season totals during Tuesday’s loss against Swift Current, assisting on both of P.A.’s goals. The Polish import is now up to 46 points (22g, 24a) on the year, ranking him ninth among all rookie skaters in the league. The 19-year-old has three points against the Pats this season and looks to build on that on Friday as he closes in on a 50-point season.

2024 NHL Draft prospect Ryder Ritchie continues to produce since returning from injury, adding another goal to his totals against Swift Current on Tuesday. The Raiders first-round pick in 2021 has five goals and three assists in eight games since coming back as he’s now up to 38 points on the year. The Kelowna B.C. product is also nearing a milestone of his own currently sitting seven points shy of 100 in his career.

More information about Friday’s contest.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

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