Raiders Suffer Third Straight Loss as Hitmen Strike Late

UPDATE: The Prince Albert Raiders have suffered a devastating loss, falling to the Calgary Hitmen 3-2 in a tense matchup on December 2, 2023. This defeat marks the Raiders’ third consecutive loss, a significant shift for a team that previously went 23 games without losing back-to-back matches.

The game began with an electrifying start as the Raiders took an early lead. At 4:31 into the first period, newly acquired forward Maddix McCagherty made an immediate impact, initiating a forecheck that led to a goal by a Hitmen defender trying to clear the puck. This gave McCagherty his first goal as a Raider and his seventh of the season.

The Raiders continued their strong performance with a power play goal from Riley Boychuk at 7:04, extending their lead to 2-0. The Raiders dominated the first period, outshooting the Hitmen 13-7 and maintaining control of the game.

However, the Hitmen’s resilience shone through in the second period. With 12:09 remaining, Wyatt Pisarcyk scored off a faceoff, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Hitmen shifted momentum, showing their determination to fight back.

In the third period, the Raiders maintained pressure, but another strike from Pisarcyk at 5:06 tied the game at 2-2. With 9:30 left on the clock, the Hitmen took the lead when defenseman Calder Hamilton fired a surprise shot that found its way past Raiders goalie Orsulak.

Despite several chances and a strong effort from the Raiders, they could not equalize, as Hitmen goalie Eric Tu stood firm. The final score remained 3-2 in favor of Calgary, with the Raiders outshooting the Hitmen 31-23 overall.

The Raiders now face a critical turnaround as they prepare for their next game against the Red Deer Rebels tonight at 7:00 p.m. Saskatchewan time. Fans can catch the pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m. on Brandt Raider radio.

This urgent loss raises questions about the Raiders’ strategy and resilience as they look to break their losing streak. Will they bounce back tonight against the Rebels? The pressure is on for the team to reclaim their winning form. Stay tuned for updates as the Raiders aim to turn their fortunes around.