Blades Top Raiders on Opening Night
Saskatoon, SK – After tying the game in the first period, the Prince Albert Raiders were unable to cease momentum, falling 7-2 to the Saskatoon Blades in their season opener on Friday night at the SaskTel Centre.
Setting the tone in their home opener, the Blades scored the game’s first two goals – but the lead didn’t last long. Late in the first period, the Raiders received goals from Reid Gardiner and Jordan Tkatch to quickly tie the game. The second period would be Prince Albert’s undoing as the home team found the back of the net three times and chased Rylan Parenteau from the net.
Gardiner and Tkatch scored the only goals for the Raiders, with Simon Stransky, Austin Glover, and Cal Babych notching assists.
Connor Gay (2g-2a) and Cameron Hebig (1g-3a) led the way for the Blades on opening night. Nick Zajac, Ryan Graham, Chasetan Braid, and Brycen Martin also scored for Saskatoon in the win.
Rylan Parenteau made 16 saves on 21 shots before being relieved in the second period by Ian Scott. The rookie netminder stopped 12 of 14 shots faced.
Brock Hamm started opening night for the Blades and turned away 23 of 25 shots.
Saskatoon outshot Prince Albert 35-25. The Raiders went 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Blades were 1-for-8.
The Raiders fall to 0-1-0-0 on the season, while the Blades begin the year at 1-0-0-0.
The Prince Albert Raiders next home game is on Saturday, September 26, as they welcome the Saskatoon Blades to the Art Hauser Centre for their home opener. Puck drop is 7:00 PM. Festivities will get underway at 4:00PM with events both outside the Art Hauser Centre and in the Ches Leach Lounge. Visit Raiderhockey.com or call 764-5348 to get your tickets now!
