Raiders Dominate Spokane Chiefs 5-2 in U.S. Road Trip Opener

UPDATE: The Prince Albert Raiders kicked off their U.S. road swing with a commanding 5-2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs on Friday night, marking their third consecutive win. This significant matchup featured the first face-off between the Sarkenov brothers, but it was Alisher Sarkenov who shone brightly, contributing to the Raiders’ triumph.

The game began with a quick strike at 9:57 when Max Heise set up Alisher Sarkenov, who assisted Daxon Rudolph in scoring his fifth goal of the season. Just minutes later, Jonah Sivertson doubled the lead, pouncing on a rebound to net his sixth goal, making it 3-0 by the end of the first period.

As tensions rose in the second period, the Chiefs struggled to contain the Raiders’ aggressive play. Despite a notable save from Michal Orsulak against a 2-on-1 break, the Raiders continued to dominate, with Linden Burrett scoring his first goal of the season, extending their lead to 4-0.

In the third period, the Chiefs finally broke through with a goal from Coco Armstrong, reducing the deficit to 4-1. However, the Raiders responded swiftly, with Alisher Sarkenov sealing the deal with an empty-net goal, bringing his total for the night to two points.

The final score stood at 5-2, with the Raiders outshooting the Chiefs 25-24. Remarkably, 11 different Raiders players earned points, showcasing the team’s depth and offensive prowess.

This game marked a historic moment as it was the first time a Raiders goalie, Michal Orsulak, has started two consecutive games this season, and he has only allowed five goals in his last four outings, achieving a 0.941 save percentage during that stretch.

Looking ahead, the Raiders face the Tri-City Americans on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Saskatchewan time. The Americans are coming off a 5-2 win against the Vancouver Giants, promising an exciting challenge for the Raiders.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Raiders continue their road journey and seek to extend their winning streak!