The Prince Albert Raiders took time before Friday night’s W-H-L regular-season opener to unveil four championship banners…from the 2018-19 season.
But, on opening night of the 2019-20 campaign, the Saskatoon Blades rallied twice and won in overtime as Ryan Hughes (pictured) scored 17 seconds into the extra period for a 3-2 triumph.
A sell-out crowd of 3,108 at the Art Hauser Centre cheered lustily as the four banners…plus a new scoreboard…were unveiled. They roared more approval as Aliaksei Protas opened the scoring and rookie Landon Kosior notched his first Western Hockey League goal in his first W-H-L game.
But, Tristen Robins and Scott Walford matched those tallies on the power play before Hughes’ heroics. It was the Bridge City Bunch’s first win in P-A since a 2-1 victory on March 16, 2018.
“Yeah, it does,” assistant coach Ryan Keller admitted when it came to the Blue and Gold winning in Prince Albert after losing all seven games there last season…playoffs included. “Our guys stuck with it and they continued to try and push and try and push and feel more comfortable as the game went on. The wins have been hard to come by here, so I really don’t think you really concern yourself with the picture that’s been painted and moreso the result.”
The Raiders, who didn’t lose once last season when leading after two periods, out-shot the Blades 20-18. The same teams meet Saturday at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon’s home opener at 7 o’clock. The broadcast on 98-COOL begins at 6. Following is the official game summary from the W-H-L…
Saskatoon Blades 3 (OT) at Prince Albert Raiders 2 – Status: Final OT
Friday, September 20, 2019 – Art Hauser Centre – Prince Albert, SK
Saskatoon 0 1 1 1 – 3
Prince Albert 0 2 0 0 – 2
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Martin Pa (hooking), 8:03.
2nd Period-1, Prince Albert, Protas 1 (Fonstad, Allan), 4:25. 2, Saskatoon, Robins 1 (Kneen, Hughes), 6:48 (PP). 3, Prince Albert, Kosior 1 (Nachbaur, Masella), 11:28. Penalties-Herman Pa (high sticking), 6:02; Kaddoura Sas (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 10:18; Usau Pa (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 10:18; Kucerik Sas (hooking), 14:10.
3rd Period-4, Saskatoon, Walford 1 (Robins, Hughes), 10:11 (PP). Penalties-Schmidt Sas (major-fighting), 2:37; Clark Pa (major-fighting), 2:37; Kneen Sas (high sticking), 2:58; Kjemhus Sas (cross checking, major-fighting), 7:28; Allan Pa (roughing, major-fighting), 7:28; Wiesblatt Pa (high sticking), 9:51.
OT Period-5, Saskatoon, Hughes 1 (Walford), 0:17. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 4-7-6-1-18. Prince Albert 6-9-5-0-20.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 2 / 3; Prince Albert 0 / 2.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 1-0-0-0 (20 shots-18 saves). Prince Albert, Bilous 0-0-1-0 (18 shots-15 saves).
A-3,108
Referees-Adam Bloski (16), Mike Langin (67).
Linesmen-Tanner McGregor (55), Devan Thiessen (94).
