Raiders goaltender Max Hildebrand made three incredible saves during the game to earn the second star in Lethbridge, stopping 34 of 37 shots faced. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nick Nielsen

Raiders lose 5-3

Raiders drop heartbreaker in Lethbridge

Mar 13, 2025 | 2:19 AM

After Saskatoon passed the Raiders by a point in the standings Tuesday and the Brandon did Wednesday afternoon, the Raiders needed a win Wednesday to protect their top spot in the East Division. The Raiders led for most of the a game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, but they’d fall in the end 5-3 after an empty netter.

The Raiders opened the scoring at the 12:31 mark on a play started by Rilen Kovacevic. He busted down the right wall, pushing through a defender before passing across the slot to Ty Meunier, and he fed a one touch pass to Riley Boychuk in the middle of the slot for his 13th of the season.

The Raiders extended their lead at the 17:43 mark when Daxon Rudolph collected the puck in the middle of his zone and passed ahead for Aiden Oiring. Two-on-two with Brayden Dube, Oiring slowed down at centre just enough to draw in both defenders before he found Dube on the right wing, and he’d streak in on a breakaway before roofing his 28th of the season with a backhand.

At the 18:10 mark, the Hurricanes would get their first of the game after a failed offensive zone entry by Carsten Adair would make the puck squirt out to Miguel Marques, and he then cut into the slot and tried to shoot. His shot was blocked and came to Leo Braillard at the side of the goal, and he put it in to bring the Hurricanes back within one.

Twice in the first period, Max Hildebrand was left out to dry in goal but made two great saves with the glove to keep his team ahead.

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After 1: Raiders 2 – 1 Hurricanes, shots 14-8 Hurricanes

The Raiders would give up two penalties early in the second to go down 5-on-3, and the Hurricanes took advantage. At the 2:48 mark, Brayden Edwards would set up a onetimer from the side of the goal for Logan Wormald, and the rebound would bounce off a Raiders defender and in.

The Raiders took the lead back at 6:45 when Tomas Mrsic brought the puck in through the middle before finding Luka’s Dragicevic on the right side. He made an excellent play around the defender, taking the puck down towards the goal line before centering it for Aiden Oiring who was wide open for the backdoor tap in for his 25th of the year.

As the halfway mark crossed, Hildebrand made another huge save. This time one of the Hurricanes was sprung on a partial breakaway, but Hildebrand would make the stop before the rebound came out to the trailing man, but Hildebrand again robbed him with a diving save.

At the 10:51 mark however, the Hurricanes would tie it. This time it came from a shot at the point that was tipped on goal, Hildebrand made the save, but the rebound landed right on the stick of Kooper Gizowski to tap it in and tie it.

After 2: Raiders 3 – 3 Hurricanes, shots 16-7 Hurricanes, 30-15 Hurricanes overall

The third period would see the Raiders get their first and only powerplay of the game, but it wouldn’t be successful. The Raiders would get great chances, Evan Smith was denied on a great onetimer set up by Niall Crocker, and Dube would get denied on a second breakaway.

With just 31 seconds left however, it was Lethbridge that broke the tie. Logan Wormald got a shot from the middle of the slot, and his shot was stopped by Hildebrand. The rebound was going to his right where there was an open Hurricane, so Hildebrand tried to sweep the puck into his glove to cover but instead swept it forward back to Wormald, but he had an open man at the left of the net and he gave it to Gizowski give the Hurricanes their first and only lead.

The Hurricanes would add an empty netter thanks to Logan McCutcheon from his own end.

FINAL: Raiders 3 – 4 Hurricanes, shots 8-4 Hurricanes, 38-19 Hurricanes overall

The Raiders have now lost their last three in a row, and six of their last seven.

The Raiders have Thursday’s off before heading to Red Deer to take on the Rebels on Friday, and the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday.