Brayden Dube skates by an ICE defender on Jan. 18, 2023. (Mark Peterson Media)

By Logan Lehmann

Gameday Preview

Raiders host nation’s best ICE for final time

Mar 14, 2023 | 11:52 AM

The Prince Albert Raiders (26-33-3-0) prepare for battle as they welcome the CHL-best Winnipeg ICE (52-9-1-0) to the Art Hauser Centre for the final time this season.

The Raiders coming off a dominating win on the road after thrashing their rivals Saskatoon Blades 8-1. The win snapped a four-game skid for PA and saw 13 different skaters find the scoresheet on Sunday afternoon. The win also keeps the Raiders at 0.500 in their last 10 games having posted a 5-5-0-0 record over that stretch.

Meanwhile, the ICE continue their reign over the league as they come into the game on a four-game win streak while also being victors in eight of their last 10 games. Winnipeg holds the best record not just in the WHL, but in the CHL too as they are just one of only two teams in the country to reach the 50-win plateau with the other team being the Seattle Thunderbirds.

The ICE hold the advantage in the season series so far at 3-0-0-0 against the Raiders. After tonight, the two clubs will meet twice more to close out the series.

Prince Albert will hit the road following tonight’s contest as they’ll head east to Manitoba for the Raiders final three-in-three weekend of the season. The first will be in Brandon against the Wheat Kings on Friday with back-to-back games against Winnipeg on Saturday and Sunday.

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A look at the Eastern Conference standings ahead of tonight’s contest. The Raiders sit just five points of eighth place for the final playoff spot in the East.

Who to Watch

Veteran Keaton Sorensen earned the game’s second star on Sunday in Saskatoon for his performance, netting a pair of goals while adding an assist. The centreman boosted his season totals to 25 goals and 28 assists on the year while sitting just three points shy of the 100-point milestone.

Rookie Ryder Ritchie was awarded with the third star versus the Blades, where he netted a trio of assists. This is the second time the 16-year-old has achieved the feat in the last month after putting up the same stat line against Moose Jaw on Feb. 18. The winger also sits just a single point shy of 50 on the season, and in his career.

Blueliner Terrell Goldsmith potted a pair of helpers on Sunday, assisting on Pakkala’s goal as well as one of Sorensen’s tallies. The Fort St. James, B.C. product has nine points this season and will look to build on that heading into tonight.

More information about tonight’s game.

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logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann