Raiders Gear Up for Tough Matchups Against Silvertips, Winterhawks

UPDATE: The Prince Albert Raiders are in the midst of a critical U.S. road trip, facing two of the toughest teams in the Western Conference this week. Starting with a showdown against the Everett Silvertips on Tuesday, October 17, the Raiders aim to bounce back from their first regulation loss of the season after falling 6-2 to the Tri-City Americans on Saturday.

With a record of 12-1-3, the Raiders sit just three points behind the Edmonton Oil Kings and are desperate to maintain their position in the standings. The stakes are high, as they prepare to face the Silvertips, who boast a stellar 15-2-1 record and are tied for the best winning percentage in the league. Both teams will clash at 9:00 p.m. Saskatchewan time, with a pregame show beginning at 8:30 p.m. on 900 CKBI.

The Raiders are not just looking to recover from their loss; they are also welcoming back key players including Ben Harvey and Brock Cripps, along with head coach Ryan McDonald, fresh from a successful U17 World Hockey Challenge where they secured gold and silver medals. This adds an emotional layer as the team rallies around their returning members.

On the other side, the Silvertips arrive after a 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Giants. They are ready to capitalize on their momentum, with Finnish rookie Matias Vanhanen leading the charge with a remarkable 4G-25A-29P season tally.

As both teams prepare for battle, special teams will be crucial. The Raiders’ power play has struggled recently, failing to score on their last three road games and dropping to sixth in the league with a 26.9% efficiency. In contrast, the Silvertips are ranked higher at 25.7%, making this matchup even more intense.

After the Everett showdown, the Raiders will head to Portland to challenge the Winterhawks on Wednesday, October 18. The Winterhawks are currently in a slump, having lost their last three games and holding a 9-9-0 record. They will be eager to turn their fortunes around, especially with top scorer Ryan Miller, a Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick, looking to maintain his scoring streak.

The Winterhawks’ power play ranks 12th in the league at 25%, and they have the second-most chances in the league, while their penalty kill struggles at 71.6%.

Both games are critical for the Raiders as they look to solidify their position in the standings and rebound from their recent setback. Fans and players alike are eager for what promises to be an electrifying week of hockey.

Stay tuned for live updates and highlights as the Raiders face off against the Silvertips and Winterhawks this week!