Aiden Oiring gets loads up a shot against the Pats during a game earlier this season. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Gameday preview

Raiders look to clinch playoff spot on Wednesday against Regina

Mar 20, 2024 | 12:22 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders (30-30-2-3) are looking to punch their ticket to the 2024 WHL Playoffs on Wednesday night against the Regina Pats (22-37-4-2) at the Art Hauser Centre.

The Raiders will claim the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a regulation win against the Pats and if Calgary loses in regulation to Saskatoon. Calgary is the only other team left in contention in the Conference and sit three points, or two and a half games, back of P.A. who both have three games remaining on the schedule. Calgary’s only hope at clinching a playoff spot is if they win their next three games in regulation and if the Raiders lose their next three contests in regulation.

If Calgary and Prince Albert end the regular season tied in points, the two clubs will play in a sudden-death game to determine who moves on. The team with the most wins in the regular season will be the host. If both teams are tied in wins, then the Raiders would be the home team as they won the season series against Calgary.

P.A. comes into Wednesday’s contest on a skid having dropped their last three games. The Raiders fell to Swift Current, Regina, and Brandon over that stretch with their most recent loss coming on Saturday at the hands of the Wheat Kings, 3-2. Over the last five games, the Raiders are 1-4-0-0 while they also don a 4-5-1-0 over their last 10.

Regina enters Wednesday on a down note having lost their last game 6-3 to Moose Jaw on Sunday. Like Prince Albert, the Pats are also 1-4-0-0 in their last five with the only win coming against the Raiders on Friday. Regina boasts a 2-8-0-0 record in their last 10 games with those two wins coming at home while the seven of those losses come on the road.

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Wednesday’s matchup will wrap up the season series between the Raiders and Pats with P.A. currently leading the series 3-2. Regina has won the last two contests with the Raiders’ last win against the Pats coming back on Nov. 1.

Following the game, the Raiders will prepare for their final weekend of the regular season when they play their final two games in a home-and-home against their rival, Saskatoon Blades. Game one of the set will be the Raiders last home game of the regular season on Friday before P.A. will head to Saskatoon to wrap up the season on Saturday.

How the Eastern Conference stands as the final week of the regular season continues.

Who to Watch

Blueliner Justice Christensen lit the lamp for the third time in four games during Saturday’s loss in Brandon. The Red Deer product has also potted three assists over that same span, equaling six points over the last four games. The 18-year-old also recently surpassed the 50-point milestone in his career as he now sits with 52 (14g, 38a) in the WHL and 43 points (12g, 31a) on the season.

Centreman Aiden Oiring was the other goal-getter during Saturday’s loss as he continues to work on a career year. The Calgary-born forward is now up to 18 goals and 29 assists on the year. Saturday’s tally also helped the 18-year-old reach the 30-goal mark in his career as he is now up to 78 points in the WHL.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

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