Debden, Saskatchewan native Chase Wutzke made 41 saves on 43 shots to help lift the Rebels over the Raiders 3-2. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nick Nielsen

Raiders lose 3-2

Raiders point streak stopped at eight games against Red Deer

Dec 4, 2024 | 5:19 AM

Through the entire month of November, the Prince Albert Raiders lost just a single game in regulation to start the month, leading to a streak of eight games that saw the Raiders win seven and lose one in overtime. That streak was broken Tuesday night when the Raiders lost 3-2 to the Red Deer Rebels.

The first period was one of the lowest chance periods we’ve seen all year with just eight shots total. The Raiders did have two powerplays in the period, but Red Deer kept a lot of pressure on the blueline making it difficult for the Raiders to get anything into the middle of the ice.

After 1: Raiders 0 – 0 Rebels, shots 4-4

The Rebels opened the scoring on the powerplay at the 5:47 mark as the offence opened wide in the second. The puck was cycled towards the left point where Derek Thurston was waiting for it, and he fired a wrist shot through traffic that snuck past Fortin and gave the Rebels the lead.

Just over a minute later, and the Raiders tied it at 7:19. Luke Moroz came back to help hold the puck in the blueline, and once the pile broke up he sent the puck ahead for Lukas Dragicevic. He made a beautiful toe drag to get around a defender and into open ice, and he sent a pass to the slot where Riley Boychuk was waiting to tip in his second of the season.

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After 2: Raiders 1 – 1 Rebels, shots 18-17 Rebels, 22-21 Rebels overall

Just 3:18 into the third, the Rebels took the lead again. This time it was Sam Drancak who found the back of the net on the rush when he was set up through the slot for a onetimer near the goal.

Then at the 6:40 mark, the Rebels scored again for what would become the game winner. On the powerplay, Hunter Mayo was set up for the onetimer in the middle of the blueline and he drove the puck through traffic to give the Rebels the two goal lead.

The Raiders would fight back and get within one at the 16:43 mark thanks to Tomas Mrsic. After Daxon Rudolph dumped the puck in deep, Aiden Oiring got a whack towards the net that was stopped. He found his rebound and centre it for Mrsic, his first shot was blocked, but Mrsic picked up the rebound and scored his 11th of the year on what was called an unassisted effort.

The Raiders would pull their goaltender with two minutes left, and despite a couple offensive zone faceoff wins, they couldn’t find a way past Chase Wutzke and the Rebels would walk away with the win.

FINAL: Raiders 2 – 3 Rebels, shots 22-6 Raiders, 43-28 Raiders

The game serves as the first time all season a goaltender other than Max Hildebrand has started two straight games for the Raiders. Since being acquired from Moose Jaw, Dimitri Fortin has been excellent with 51 saves on 56 shots, good for a 0.911 save percentage in two games.

Tomas Mrsic’s unassisted goal keeps his point streak alive with 4G-3A in his last three games.

The Raiders now get ready for Teddy Bear Toss night on Friday when they welcome the Calgary Hitmen.