Special Teams the Difference in 5-4 Loss to Raiders
November 2, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Tri-City Americans News Release
The Tri-City Americans (6-7-0-0) had a hard time stopping the Prince Albert Raiders (4-9-2-0) power play unit Tuesday night, surrendering four power play goals on five opportunities in a 5-4 loss at the Art Hauser Centre.
The game had a perhaps surprisingly-physical start despite the two teams meeting for the first time in over three years. Lukas Dragicevic dropped the gloves with Carter Anderson 12 minutes into the game, then Andrew Fan and Anthony Wilson went toe-to-toe moments later. Fan and Wilson were ejected from the game for being the second fight in the same stoppage.
Prince Albert opened the scoring a few minutes later on an unfortunate bounce. Keaton Sorenson sent the puck to the front of the net from below the goal line, and it deflected off a Tri-City skate and right to the stick of Naill Crocker who tapped in his second goal of the season.
Less than three minutes later, the Raiders added to their lead on a power play goal by Sorenson as he jumped on a rebound in front of the net.
Penalty trouble continued for Tri-City as Prince Albert scored a second power play goal just 1:39 later. It was another unlucky bounce for the Americans as the puck deflected off a Tri-City skate below the goal line and in front of the net for Landon Kosior to fire in. Tomas Suchanek was turned the other way as nobody except Kosior seemed to know where the puck was.
Reese Belton was then given a five-minute major for checking to the head with 10 seconds remaining in the period.After Raiders captain Nolan Allan added to their lead with a power play goal early in the second period, the Americans began their comeback. Ethan Ernst got the offence started, beating Tikhon Chaika on the blocker side off the rush to make it 4-1 at 5:08 of the second period.
Just 50 seconds later, Jake Sloan knocked in a loose puck at the top of the crease with one hand to get the Americans within two with his sixth of the season.
Four minutes later, during a delayed penalty against Prince Albert, Tyson Greenway redirected a slow shot with his skate to extend his goal-scoring streak to four games and make it a 4-3 game.
Drew Freer then pulled the Americans back onto even ground when he deflected a centring pass over the blocker of Chaika from the slot, capping off the Americans comeback with his second of the season. It was four goals in 8:41 to tie the game at four heading into the third period.
Prince Albert’s power play struck again just 1:09 into the third period as Kosior scored his second of the night, restoring their lead at 5-4.
The Americans were held to just four shots in the third period, unable to pull even again as the Raiders held on for the 5-4 victory.
Tri-City is back in action Wednesday night as they travel to the Sasktel Centre to face the Saskatoon Blades (10-3-0-0).
Shots: 29-27 TC
Score: 5-4 PA
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