The Rebels headed to Saskatchewan and started their first of 2 games on the road Friday night. They headed to Prince Albert to play the 11th place in the east Raiders and lost 2-1 Friday night. The Raiders successfully killed 2 penalties until Jace Isley opened up the scoring for the Rebels on a Jace Wier rebound. Making 1-0 Rebels from the power play goal.
In the second period Marek Schneider went to clear the puck out of the Rebels zone and accidently hit Dwayne Jean Jr. in the skates with the puck. That puck bounced on the stick of Raiders forward Ryder Ritchie the 16 year old son of former NHLer Byron Ritchie. Ritchie buried his 10th of the season to tie the game at 1. Sloan Stanick scored on a point shot from Eric Johnston and Niall Crocker at 13:19 of the second period to give the Raiders a 2-1 lead.
The third period was all Rebels. With Red Deer outshooting the Raiders 10-3. But with no scoring.
Former Flin Flon Bomber goalie Max Hildebrand was on fire for the Raiders stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced all night. The Prince Albert Raiders did play well, but I am pretty sure deep down inside every single person on that team knows the ONLY reason they won that game is the stellar play of Hildebrand.
Rhett Stoesser also played well for the Rebels making 18 saves on 20 shots.
I want to See These 2 Go At Centre Ice
I don’t think its a secret that Wolly Bolly is the coolest mascot in the league. The Prince Albert Raiders have the worst. PMS. Why would you call your Parrot PMS? Wasn’t the old Raiders mascot or logo considered racist or offensive at one time🙄🙄Have them fight at centre Ice for a good cause like preventing animal abuse of domestic violence. 😉 At least let them race each other. WHL Mascot Mario Kart.
Other Notes
Attendance at the Art Hauser Centre was 2,279.
Rebels next game in Saskatoon against the 25-6 Blades. The last time the Rebels played the Blades was December 2nd and the Blades won that game 4-3 in overtime. The Blades also have the lowest Goals Against in the WHL. The Broncos lost Friday night in a shootout to Swift Current.
Dr. Mike’s 3 Stars
- Max Hildebrand- Raiders- Made 32 saves. Would of been a different game without him.
- Max Hildebrand- Raiders- See above had to give it to him twice..
- Ryder Ritchie- Raiders- A nice goal and a great game by the 16 year old rookie.