DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: November 23, 2019, Prince Albert Raiders 16-4-3-1 @ Medicine Hat Tigers 15-7-1-1, 730 PM (MST)
Tonight’s Eastern Conference matchup features the second-best and fifth-best teams in the Western Hockey League based on points percentage. The Prince Albert Raiders are also the fifth-ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League.
Both teams are firing on all cylinders, with the Raiders scoring 93 goals in their 24 games, and the Tigers scoring 91 times over their 23 games. Both teams have goal scorers in the WHL’s top 5 — Aliaksei Protas leads the way with 17 tallies, and James Hamblin is only a few back with 15. The players are also 1-2 in WHL points — Protas has 36, Hamblin 35.
The Raiders are a little bit stingier with goals being scored against them, allowing just 58. The Tigers have allowed 66. Boston Bilous has proven to be a steal for the Raiders, posting a 14-2-3-1 record while allowing an average of 2.30 goals per game. He has a .904 save percentage as well. Garin Bjorklund has been outstanding for the Tigers, with a record of 7-1-0-0, a 2.33 goals against average, and .920 save percentage.
This game will be the first of four tilts between the teams. Last season, the Raiders picked up all eight points against the Tigers, going 4-0-0-0. Medicine Hat was unable to collect any points in the four games.
On special teams, the Tigers lead the way on the power play, clipping along at 24.2% — good for third in the WHL. The Raiders are ninth at 21.2%. The penalty kill is another story, as the Raiders are killing off 82.7% of their penalties, sixth in the WHL. Meanwhile, the Tigers are struggling; they are 18th in the league at 76.3%. Both teams are in the bottom half of the league when it comes to taking penalties. The Raiders take 10.2 penalty minutes per game while the Tigers average just 8.7.
Both teams have defensemen in the top 12 in WHL scoring (among defenders). 17-year-old Kaiden Guhle has 18 points in 24 games for the Raiders. The experience he gained while the Raiders were winning the WHL title last season was invaluable to his continued growth. He is also eligible for the NHL draft in June. On the other side, the Tigers have 18-year-old Daniel Baker. He has 15 points for the Tigers, who are adding offense from the back end by committee. Three other Tigers have nine or more points.
The Raiders have points in their last four games (3-0-0-1), with three of those games on the road. It is the final game of a three-game road swing through Alberta for the Raiders. For the Tigers, this is the last of a four-game homestand. The team is 2-1-0-0 in those games.
DUBNetwork’s Glen Erickson (@glenerickson51) will have post-game coverage.
In other WHL action:
Calgary Hitmen (12-6-2-1) @ Moose Jaw Warriors (9-10-1-0)
The two teams are headed in opposite directions. The Hitmen have collected points in four straight. The Warriors have not collected points in their last three. The teams have met twice already this season. Calgary took both games.
Regina Pats (4-14-2-0) @ Brandon Wheat Kings (11-13-1-0)
The Pats are the WHL’s current basement dwellers, two points behind the Prince George Cougars. They are coming off a 6-0 win against the Swift Current Broncos. The Wheat Kings have points in their last three games, but will be without the services of Nolan Ritchie for the foreseeable future. A freak accident in last night’s game resulted in a broken femur.
Everett Silvertips (15-4-1-0) @ Portland Winterhawks (13-5-1-2)
The battle for US Division supremacy continues in Oregon. The Winterhawks hold the edge, having won the only other meeting between the two teams. Everett has allowed a league-low 45 goals over its 20 games. Both teams have been collecting points over a stretch of games — Portland has points in their last 5, Everett in its last 7. The teams will face off six more times this season.
Lethbridge Hurricanes (15-7-0-3) @ Red Deer Rebels (7-12-0-3)
Two teams that should be in similar circumstances are the Hurricanes fighting for the division title and the Rebels fighting to stay out of the basement. Both teams are coming off losses to the Prince Albert Raiders. Each team has won a previous game in the other team’s barn.
Saskatoon Blades (12-10-1-1) @ Seattle Thunderbirds (6-12-2-1)
The Blades are making their way through the US Division; this is their third game. The team has yet to win south of the border. The Thunderbirds are rebuilding this season and have lost three straight, including a 10-1 loss to the Blazers.
Kamloops Blazers (15-8-0-0) @ Prince George Cougars (5-16-0-2)
The Cougars hung on to win last night against the same Blazers, with Taylor Gauthier making 41 saves. It was a rare off night for the Blazers, specifically for Rayce Ramsey who allowed three goals on nine shots. The season series is tied at one win each.
Edmonton Oil Kings (14-5-3-2) @ Vancouver Giants (11-10-1-1)
The Oil Kings are making their way through the BC Division; their third game comes against the Giants. The team is 1-1-0-0, coming off a loss to the Victoria Royals last night. The team is atop the tight Central Division. Vancouver has lost its last two games and is not the team it was expected to be at the start of the season.
Winnipeg ICE (13-9-1-0) @ Spokane Chiefs (11-8-2-0)
Coming into game six of a seven-game road trip for the ICE, the team is currently 3-2-0-0 while away from Wayne Fleming Arena. The US Division trip is bookended by games in Brandon. Formerly a team that was often walked over, the ICE find themselves in a battle for second in the East Division. The Chiefs are in the midst of a real up and down season. Fortunately, there have been a few more ups than downs.
Kelowna Rockets (12-8-1-1) @ Tri-City Americans (11-7-1-1)
The Memorial Cup hosts are off to a better start than many expected. The moves made in the off-season and early this season have worked out for the team. Three straight wins have the Rockets in second in the BC Division. The Americans are struggling at home this season with a 5-4-1-1 record.
