GAME 42 RECAP | Blades run out of gas, fall 3-1 to Raiders
Prince Albert, SK – Brandon Lisowsky scored the lone Saskatoon Blades goal, but a three-goal third period jolted the Prince Albert Raiders to a 3-1 victory at the Art Hauser Centre.
All seemed well and good up for the Blue and Gold leading 1-0 heading into the final 20, but ran out of gas playing their fourth game in five nights.
It’s the first time Saskatoon’s been defeated at the hands of their Highway 11 rival, still leading the season-series 5-1.
The loss drops the Blades record to 28-10-3-1 as they near the end of a busy January in which they play 13 games.
Blades forward Brandon Lisowsky seems to love playing in the Hauser. The Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick opened the scoring on the man-advantage 7:58 into the game. The Port Coquitlam, BC. product’s 23rd goal of the year came easy after a beautfiul backhand feed from Edmonton Oilers prospect Jake Chiasson. Lisowsky also opened the scoring in Prince Albert the last time they were here Dec. 10th, going on to finish the night with a hat-trick and five points.
If you're still not sure what Chiasson is all about #BladeCity, it's passes like this 🥵
Lisowsky's 23rd of the year is CAN'T MISS! pic.twitter.com/YtwZoQtW8m
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 22, 2023
Play was much tighter in the second, as neither team found the back of the net through the 20-minutes. In typical Blades vs Raiders fashion, the intensity picked up with several instances of extra curricular activities.
The Blades defensive pairing of Blake Gustafson and Charlie Wright in particular showcased some physicality.
The Wright way to do things 💥 pic.twitter.com/PCPw4W8Q27
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 22, 2023
Gus the Bus 🚌 pic.twitter.com/LtrQ2jATcN
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 22, 2023
You've made Chuck angry 😠 pic.twitter.com/VRrFW0fO27
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 22, 2023
The Raiders turned stepped on the pedal for three-unanswered goals.
The Raiders waited until 18 seconds into the final frame to get their first powerplay of the night. It was the spark forward Keaton Sorenson needed to even the game 1-1. It’s the first time the two team’s have been tied since the Blades home-opener on Sept. 23. Sorensen’s equalizer gives him 16 goals and 30 points in 43 games this season.
Prince Albert took that momentum and ran with it.
Forward Niall Crocker buried his seventh of the season on the man-advantage to give the Raiders their first lead of the game. Under a minute later, Raider defenceman Eric Johnston scored his first of the season on a point shot to make it 3-1 Raiders.
The Blades headed to the man-advantage one more time, but there was no answer for the home side’s defence and netminder Tikhon Chaika. The loss drops Saskatoon’s record to 28-10-3-1.
What’s Next?
The Blades enjoy a well deserved five days off before heading to Red Deer Jan. 27th for the second of a five-game road trip.
Puck drop between the Blades and Rebels is 7:00pm.
BANANA JERSEY AUCTION
Want to own one of these delicious game-worn threads?
Our game-worn jersey auction is live! Bid now until 12:00pm Sunday, Jan. 29th, with all proceeds going to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation!
Bidding starts at $200.
Bid on your favourite Banana by CLICKING HERE
