The Prince Albert Raiders opened the 2024 WHL preseason on the right foot knocking off the Saskatoon Blades 4-1 at the Art Hauser Centre on Wednesday night.
Both teams dressed younger rosters consisting mainly of 2008 and 2009-born players. Raider head coach Jeff Truitt says he was impressed by the performance of the team as a whole.
“I thought they played real well from a speed aspect and also puck movement and confidence with the puck. I thought they did a lot of great things and a lot of puck possession, which was good, but this is kind of the second step. We had our first step through training camp and in the green and white game, and now it’s against an opponent we get that done. We know we got a long way to go, but real happy with the kids in that lineup here tonight.”
Prince Albert would open the scoring at the 2:39 mark of the opening period as Jonah Sivertson would wire a shot home on a 2-on-1 to give the Raiders the early 1-0 lead. The goal was unassisted.
Colten Worthington would pull the Blades even at the 4:44 mark. A centering pass would hit a Raider skate and beat Cooper Anderson to pull Saskatoon even at 1-1. Cooper Williams would pick up an assist on the play.
On a delayed penalty, Oli Chenier would tip a Benett Kelly point shot past Ryley Budd to restore the Raider lead at the 12:17 mark. Ty Meunier was credited with the secondary helper.
Shots favoured Prince Albert 18-5 after twenty minutes.
Ty Meunier would strike for the Raiders at the 14:38 mark of the second period to extend the lead to 3-1. Chenier picked up the lone helper.
After a boarding call against Saskatoon, the Raider power play would go to work as Ben Harvey would lift a rebound over the outstretched pad of Budd to increase the Raider lead to 4-1. Kyle Obobaifo and Benett Kelly assisted on the play.
Several players on the Raiders had switched from wearing a full cage during training camp to a visor during pre-season.
Truitt says those players who made the switch have a change to make the opening night roster, but no decisions have been made yet.
“(It’s) pretty much that if he’s got a definite chance that you can put them in the visor. We definitely want to see that and go for there’s no guarantees. It’s a little bit of a change with the guys wearing the full cage to half visor.”
The Raiders continue the pre-season on Thursday night when they travel to take on the Swift Current Broncos.
