Niall Crocker (left) and Brayden Dube battle for a puck in front of the Blades net late in their loss to the Saskatoon Blades. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nick Nielsen

Raiders lose 4-2

Questionable end as Raiders lose against Saskatoon

Dec 31, 2024 | 12:39 PM

After picking up two wins over Swift Current out of the Christmas break, the Prince Albert Raiders had just one day off before they faced the Saskatoon Blades for the first time this season. Both teams had their struggles throughout the game, but a late non-call against the Raiders had this game end in controversial fashion as the Raiders fell 4-2.

The Blades came out quickly in the first half of the first period, at one point out shooting the Raiders 8-1. The Raiders then stormed back for the final 13 minutes or so, generating 13 straight shots,

Justice Christensen opened the scoring in the game with his eighth of the season at 11:22 mark. After Tomas Mrsic got on the right point, he rifled the puck to Christensen at the left point, Christensen had an open look at the net down the left side and fired a hard shot for the game’s first goal.

After 1: Raiders 1 – 0 Blades, shots 14-8 Raiders

The second period saw both teams trade powerplays back and forth with the Raiders getting two and the Blades getting three, but neither team could get themselves organized to generate much for offense.

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The highlight of the period saw Blades forward Brandon Lisowsky get behind the Raiders defence on a breakaway, and he tried to shoot fivehole but Max Hildebrand shut the door for the Raiders to maintain their lead.

After 2: Raiders 1 – 0 Blades, shots 8-7 Blades, 21-16 Raiders overall

With Lukas Dragicevic still in the penalty box after a cross checking call at the end of the second, the Blades managed to tie the game 1:24 into the third. Again it was Lisowsky with the chance after he was set up for a onetimer at the top of the slot.

At 4:06, the Blades managed to take the lead. On the forecheck, Zach Olsen managed to collect the puck in the left corner and he put it out front for Cooper Williams to redirect on net and score the go ahead goal.

The Raiders tied it back up on their sixth and final powerplay of the game at 10:37. Mrsic picked up an assist after putting a shot on goal that was kicked out to Aiden Oiring. He waitied a moment and found the right stick in the pile up in front of the net, and Oiring sent a great pass to Brayden Dube who managed to score his 16th of the season.

The Blades took the lead back at 15:42, again on the powerplay. Ben Riche was set up for a onetimer on the right side point that he blasted home for the go ahead goal.

In the dying moments of the game, the Raiders were pressing with the goaltender pulled when Aiden Oiring made a hit in the corner that knocked down Grayden Siepmann, and he stayed on the ice hurt. Play continued and the Raiders got the puck on goal, and Zach Olsen of the Blades covered the puck in the crease with his glove before shoving the puck forward for his goaltender to cover. The whistle was blown, the Raiders and their fans called for a penalty shot, but they were denied.

The Blades would add an empty netter from Hudson Kibblewhite at the 19:30 mark, and that would seal it.

FINAL: Raiders 2 – 4 Blades, shots 11-10 Raiders, 32-26 Raiders overall

Both teams will have one day off before they rematch to start the New Year in Saskatoon on Wednesday.