The Prince Albert Raiders had no problem creating chances in their showdown with the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday.
Converting them was another matter.
The Raider fired 29 shots on Blades starting goaltender Evan Gardner, but failed to put a single one past him in a 4-0 loss in front of 3,044 fans at the Art Hauser Centre.
“We didn’t get to our game until the third period,” Raiders head coach Ryan McDonald said. “You want to start with urgency. That’s been our bread and butter all year—coming out of the gate strong and playing north and playing fast and playing behind. I just felt we didn’t get to our game until the third period. We put all sorts of pressure on them, and they’ve got a goalie that’s good in there.”
Prince Albert pressed hard in the third period, outshooting the visitors 14-5, and forcing Gardner to make key saves off a Braeden Cootes on a partial breakaway, and Brandon Gorzynski. The last save likely prevented Gorzynski from landing on the WHL’s top 10 plays of the week, since the Airzona product effortlessly walked around a Saskatoon defenceman before bearing down on Gardner.
While the Saskatoon goalie was unflappable, the Raiders didn’t get many bounces either. A Bennet Kelly point shot that clanged off the far post and out at around the eight minute mark of the third period summed up the Raiders’ night. It was one of several posts the Raiders hit on Saturday, in addition to the multiple scoring changes that went unfulfilled.
“We didn’t perform how we wanted to,” Raiders forward Jonah Sivertson said. “(There are) a couple things we could clean up. It’s nice that we’ve got a quick turnaround and we can get back at them tomorrow.
“He (Gardner) played great. In the third period, that’s how I think we normally play. We’ve got to bring it for a full 60.”
The Raiders held a 15-11 edge in shots heading into the third period, but trailed 4-0.
Raiders starter Steele Bass could do little on each Saskatoon tally. The first goal, courtesy of Saskatoon left winger David Lewandowski, was the only shot to beat him cleanly all night.
Goals from Cooper Williams in the first and Dustin Willhoft in the second came when both players were left all alone at the side of the Prince Albert net. The fourth and final tally was an third period empty netter from centreman Hayden Harsanyi.
While the Blades offence found the back of the net, Lewandowski said there was no doubt Gardner’s play kept the Raiders from rallying.
“He had an unbelievable night—shutout, of course,” Lewandowski said. “He saved us. I think he was the difference.
“He’s so good. He always has our backs. He’s a great goalie. He’s our best man on the ice.”
The two clubs are set to meet again late Sunday afternoon in Saskatoon. McDonald said he expects a better push from his team on the road.
“The best thing about hockey is the sun comes up tomorrow,” McDonald said. “Tomorrow’s a new day. For us, it’s learn from our mistakes and learn our lessons. (We had) a really good push in the third period, so that’s something we’re going to build off of.”
Puck drop is 4 p.m. on Sunday.
News and Notes:
• The Raiders called up former Prince Albert Minto Brady Holtvogt to fill in as Bass’ back-up on Saturday. McDonald said Raiders starting goalie Michal Orsulak is listed as day-to-day. The team expects to get more information in the coming days. Holtvogt has appeared in 12 games with the Humboldt Broncos this season, sporting a 2.85 GAA and .922 save percentage.
• Saturday’s loss snapped an eight game Raiders winning streak. It also ended a three-game Blades losing streak.
• The Raiders went 0/3 on the power play. The Blades were 1/4.
• Sivertson had the hit of the game when he flattened a Blades player in front of the Prince Albert bench.
Daily Herald Three Stars
First Star: Evan Gardner (Saskatoon) – stopped 29 shots for his first shutout of the season. Seemed unbothered by the frantic play around him.
Second Star: David Lewandowski (Saskatoon) – import winger scored on a perfectly placed wrist shot in the first, and made a nice heads up pass in the second to give Willhoft a tap-in at the side of the net.
Third Star: Dustin Willfort (Saskatoon) – quietly put together a great night. Scored a goal, and chipped in with two assist, including one on Lewandowski’s game winner.
