Tigers roar back against Raiders in Game 2

This time, the Raiders got one powerplay to start the second period, but the Tigers still had the better chances early in the period. Orsulak had to make a couple great saves including one on wrist shot from Andrew Basha on the rush.

The Tigers got their third powerplay opportunity in the back half of the period however, and they scored again when Markus Ruck circled the zone towards the right wing, then passed back to his brother Liam in the middle of the slot who ripped a wrist shot through to double the Tigers lead.

After 2: Raiders 0 – 2 Tigers, shot 17-9 Tigers, 33-15 Tigers overall

The Raiders had just over 20 seconds of powerplay to start the period, and they started to look like their usual selves, helped by another two powerplays during the period. The best chance saw Brock Cripps send a great pass down low to Daxon Rudolph looking for a backdoor tip, but Jordan Switzer was strong in the first game he had played in the series and kept it out.

Halfway through the period, the Raiders were starting to get aggressive and as a result, the Tigers end up poking a puck out to centre where Markus Ruck chased it down for a breakaway. He fired a great shot to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead at the 12:49 mark.

The Tigers had two more goals in the last two minutes of the game. First, Jonas Woo hit the empty net at the other end of the ice at the 18:05 mark, and then at the 18:41 mark defenceman Niilopekka Muhonen fired a shot on goal from the left point and it deflected in off a defender.

FINAL: Raiders 0 – 5 Tigers, shots 15-8 Raiders, 41-30 Tigers overall

After a win, a few of the Tigers are known for a celebration at centre ice, no matter where they are, where the gather for a prayer circle. This time around, two Raiders defencemen Linden Burrett and Matyas man kneeled at centre ice and waited for every last Tiger to step off the ice.

During the game, two Raiders were injured while one of the Tigers was also banged up. For the Raiders, defenceman Brock Cripps took a puck up high in the mouth and had to receive stitches, but stayed in the game. Brandon Gorzynski did not return to the game however when he took a hit into the wall and left the ice.

For the Tigers, Bryce Pickford took a hit from Aiden Oiring that sent Pickford down the tunnel to end the first period and start the second period. He returned early in the second, but seemed to be used sparringly throughout the night afterwards.

This is just the second time this season the Prince Albert Raiders have been shut out this entire season. The last time it happened was at the hands of the Saskatoon Blades back on Jan. 31. It’s also the first time the Raiders have been outshot since the Edmonton Oil Kings did it on March 8.

The Raiders will have a day of rest on Sunday, then another day on the road on Monday, and finally play in Game 3 on Tuesday in Medicine Hat.

by Nick Nielsen

Tigers roar back against Raiders in Game 2

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