Max Hildebrand and the Prince Albert Raiders almost caught lightning in a bottle for a second straight night, but the Saskatoon Blades were able to eventually overwhelm the P-A goaltender and the Raiders for a 3-2 triumph Saturday night.
In his 200th career W-H-L game, Prince Albert winger Niall Crocker opened the scoring 29 seconds into the contest, then Hildebrand took over the show for most of the rest of the second period as the Bridge City Bunch ran up their side of the shot clock like the points on a pinball machine. Easton Armstrong deflected Charlie Wright’s point shot past Hildebrand on the Blue and Gold’s 14th shot of the game late in the first period. Then, Tanner Molendyk rifled a power play slap shot past a beleaguered Hildebrand late in the second period to give the Blades a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, on Saskatoon’s 28th shot of the night. On that goal, the primary assist went to Brandon Lisowsky – giving the fourth-year Bridge City Bunch left winger 200 career points…the 49th player in franchise history to reach the milestone. After two periods, the Blue and Gold held a 30-5 advantage on the shot clock, but only led 2-1. Egor Sidorov (pictured) ended a four-game goal-less drought with his 36th goal of the season, while the teams played four skaters aside, early in the third period on the Blades’ 31st shot. However, there would be drama late in the game as Sloan Stanick collected the Raiders’ first short-handed goal of the season with just over three minutes remaining in the third period. But, Saskatoon would lock down their 32nd win of the campaign and fifth, head-to-head, over P-A while out-shooting them 33-9 in front of 5.650 fans at SaskTel Centre. The Bridge City Bunch complete a three-game weekend Sunday when they entertain the Swift Current Broncos at 4 o’clock at SaskTel Centre. CJWW’s broadcast begins at 3:45 p.m. with the Palliser Rooms E-Q-3 Cutting Edge Pre-Game Show. Following are the audio highlights of Saturday’s game from CJWW’s broadcast, Post-Game Show comments from head coach Brennan Sonne, Lisowsky and defenceman Grayden Siepmann plus the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..
Prince Albert Raiders 2 at Saskatoon Blades 3 – Status: Final
Saturday, January 27, 2024 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK
Prince Albert 1 0 1 – 2
Saskatoon 1 1 1 – 3
1st Period-1, Prince Albert, Crocker 14 (Oiring), 0:29. 2, Saskatoon, Armstrong 24 (Wright, Suzdalev), 18:12. Penalties-Sidorov Sas (interference), 6:28; Goldsmith Pa (interference), 10:19; Hoffrogge Pa (roughing), 11:53.
2nd Period-3, Saskatoon, Molendyk 6 (Lisowsky, Sidorov), 18:30 (PP). Penalties-served by Kubiesa Pa (too many men), 12:39; Oiring Pa (holding), 17:28; Oiring Pa (roughing), 20:00; Minten Sas (slashing), 20:00.
3rd Period-4, Saskatoon, Sidorov 36 (Andrusiak, Saunderson), 1:41. 5, Prince Albert, Stanick 21 16:42 (SH). Penalties-Kubiesa Pa (boarding), 6:04; Babcock Sas (interference), 13:48; Goldsmith Pa (high sticking), 16:04; Sidorov Sas (10-minute misconduct), 20:00.
Shots on Goal-Prince Albert 3-2-4-9. Saskatoon 15-15-3-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Prince Albert 0 / 2; Saskatoon 1 / 6.
Goalies-Prince Albert, Hildebrand 14-13-1-2 (33 shots-30 saves). Saskatoon, Elliott 20-4-2-1 (9 shots-7 saves).
A-5,650
Referees-Adam Forbes (62), Josh Grimm (76).
Linesmen-Tanner McGregor (55), Levi Schutz (110).
