Raiders Dominate Regina Pats 9-2 in Thrilling New Year Opener

The Prince Albert Raiders delivered a commanding performance to begin the New Year, defeating the Regina Pats 9-2 at the Art Hauser Centre on January 5, 2024. The Raiders’ victory not only marked their third consecutive win since returning to action on December 27, but it also solidified their position at the top of the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) East Division.

Forward Jonah Sivertson was instrumental in the Raiders’ success, contributing four points during the game. “I think we stuck to our game plan that Macker (head coach Ryan McDonald) set out for us,” Sivertson stated after the match. “We got pucks deep, we got shots on their goalie early, and we just stuck to the game plan.”

The game started with an unexpected twist as the Pats took an early lead just 4:26 into the first period. Zach Moore scored on a power play, giving Regina a brief advantage. However, the Raiders responded with a flurry of scoring, netting four unanswered goals before the end of the first period. Goals from Maddix McCagherty, Owen Corkish, Aiden Oiring, and Brayden Dube propelled the Raiders to a 4-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

“We kept it simple after the first (Regina) goal,” Dube said. “Playing fast and north, that’s our game. When we start trying to do fancy stuff, it doesn’t go our way.”

The Raiders had faced challenges in previous matchups against Regina, having nearly lost leads in their earlier encounters this season. In their first meeting on September 26, the Raiders initially led 4-0, only to hang on for a 6-4 win. Similarly, on October 17, they held a 5-1 lead before Regina’s comeback forced a close 6-5 finish.

This latest game seemed poised to follow a similar trajectory when Pats forward Jace Egland scored shorthanded, narrowing the gap to 4-2. Yet, Dube quickly restored the Raiders’ three-goal cushion with his second goal of the night, a crucial moment that shifted the momentum back in favor of Prince Albert. “It was huge,” McDonald remarked about Dube’s goal. “They pushed on that power play and came down to get a shorty. The other unit goes out and they get a big-time goal for us in a timely manner.”

As the third period commenced, the Raiders maintained their aggressive strategy, outshooting the Pats 16-8. Sivertson set the stage with a breakaway, and although Regina’s goalie Matthew Hutchison made an initial save, Sivertson found the net just 3:55 into the period, extending the lead to 6-2. Max Heise, Justice Christensen, and Riley Boychuk added three more goals in a two-minute span, effectively sealing the game for the Raiders.

“I think we were a little sloppy there in the second,” Sivertson noted. “We just talked as a team and said we needed to be better and then we just kept it simple and played our game.”

The match concluded with heightened emotions, resulting in a few penalties. The only misconduct penalty was awarded to Regina defenceman Matt Paranych after a confrontation involving teammates from both sides.

The Raiders will face the Regina Pats again on January 6, 2024, at the Brandt Centre in Regina, with the puck scheduled to drop at 18:00. Sivertson emphasized the need for a solid recovery before the rematch. “We’ve got to get a good recovery in and just play our game. Not be too complex. Just be simple and play the right way.”

In additional notes from the game, Raiders captain Justice Christensen delivered standout performances, including a powerful hit that was selected as the Hit of the Night. In total, eight players recorded multiple points, showcasing the Raiders’ potent offensive depth. Dimitri Fortin made 23 saves, earning his 13th win of the season, placing him eighth among all WHL goaltenders.

This decisive victory showcased the Raiders’ resilience and ability to dominate on home ice, making them a formidable contender as the season progresses.