Raiders Still in Search for First Win After 4-2 Loss to Warriors
September 30, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Prince Albert Raiders News Release
The Prince Albert Raiders travelled to Moose Jaw on Friday night looking to collect their first win of the season, while the Warriors came in looking to avenge a loss to the Regina Pats last Saturday. It would be a tough battle, as the Warriors saw six players return to their starting lineup, most notably defenceman Denton Mateychuk and forward Jagger Firkus. The Raiders, meanwhile, saw three new faces in their lineup on Friday. Anton Yatsyshin, who was signed by the Raiders earlier this week, as well as Alessandro Segafredo and defenceman Owen Boucher, who were acquired via a trade on Thursday night which saw Vladislav Shilo head to the Winnipeg ICE.
On Friday night, the Raiders did something they hadn’t done up to this point in the season: score first. Just 2:21 into the game, a point shot from Terrell Goldsmith beat traffic in front and also beat Warriors goaltender Connor Ungar. The big defenceman’s second goal of the season put the Raiders up 1-0, while Grady Martin picked up his first Western Hockey League point with the primary assist; Harrison Lodewyk registered the second assist.
While the Raiders didn’t get any help from the officials in the first period, being served three penalties to Moose Jaw’s zero, including a late double minor for high sticking assessed to Carson Latimer, Prince Albert still managed to bring their 1-0 lead into the second period, while trailing in shots 8-7.
In the second period, the Warriors capitalized on a powerplay after a questionable penalty called to Justice Christensen. Brayden Yager fired a shot pass down from the point towards the goal line which was redirected in front by Eric Alarie, who was right on the doorstep to tip it home. The powerplay goal tied things up at 1-1.
Just over a minute later, the Warriors took their first lead of the night on a snipe from Maximus Wanner. Walking down the right wing, Wanner gathered and fired a missile top corner past Chaika’s glove and in for his first goal of the season in his first game. The goal put the Warriors up 2-1 near the midway point of the second period.
Late in the second, the Warriors went up by a pair. After a shot from Atley Calvert was turned aside by Chaika, Lynden Lakovic took advantage of the rebound. Scooping up the loose puck from the side of the net, Lakovic went behind the net and scored a nifty wraparound to put Moose Jaw up 3-1, and that’s what the score would be heading into the third period, with the Warriors also leading 21-12 in shots.
3:22 into the third period, Jagger Firkus put the Warriors up 4-1. Stepping in from the slot, Firkus fired a shot five hole that Chaika got a piece but not all of, as it worked its way past the goal line. The 18-year-old forward also made an impact in his first game in the Moose Jaw lineup, scoring his first goal of the season.
The Raiders got one back with less than eight minutes to go in the third period as Landon Kosior struck with his first goal of the season on a powerplay. The overage defenceman converted on a pass from Carson Latimer to make it 4-2. With 12.6 seconds left, Kosior scored again to trim the Moose Jaw lead to 4-3.
However, that’s as far as the Raiders would get, as the Warriors held on for the 4-2 win at home. The loss dropped the Raiders to 0-3-1-0 on the season.
Prince Albert returns home on Saturday night to face the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Raiders will be wearing their orange jersey in a game sponsored by the car guys and gals at Mann Northway. Puck drop is 7pm.
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