Tigers roar back against Prince Albert Raiders in Game 2

After the thrill of Game 1’s dominant 8-3 win for the Prince Albert Raiders, hopes were high in HockeyTown North as the team hosted the Medicine Hat Tigers for Game 2 on Saturday.

The reality of the two best teams in the WHL Eastern Conference set in, however, and the Tigers made their statement, tying the series up with a 5-0 shutout over the Raiders.

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The shots ended up lopsided in favour of the Tigers in the first period, but that separation happened on two power plays for the Tigers during the period.

On the first, the Raiders did a good job of clearing the puck out of their zone for one-and-done chances, but the Tigers unit of Markus and Liam Ruck, Andrew Basha, Bryce Pickford, and Jonas Woo reloaded in their own zone quickly and came back for another attack after each clear. One chance even bounced in behind Michal Orsulak, hit the crossbar, then was blocked by Maddix McCagherty and cleared down the ice.

On the second power play in the dying seconds of the period, the Tigers hemmed the Raiders into their own zone for an entire minute and just when play turned back to 5-on-5, Woo threw a shot on goal from the corner that banked in off a defender and into the back of the net at 19:54.

After 1: Raiders 0 – 1 Tigers, shots 16-6 Tigers

This time, the Raiders got one power play to start the second period, but the Tigers still had the better chances early. Orsulak had to make a couple great saves including one on wrist shot from Andrew Basha on the rush.

The Tigers got their third power play opportunity in the back half of the period however, and they scored again when Markus Ruck circled the zone towards the right wing, then passed back to his brother Liam in the middle of the slot who ripped a wrist shot through to double the Tigers lead.

After 2: Raiders 0 – 2 Tigers, shot 17-9 Tigers, 33-15 Tigers overall

The Raiders had just over 20 seconds of powerplay to start the period, and they started to look like their usual selves, helped by another two powerplays during the period. The best chance saw Brock Cripps send a great pass down low to Daxon Rudolph looking for a backdoor tip, but Jordan Switzer was strong in the first game he had played in the series and kept it out.

Halfway through the period, the Raiders were starting to get aggressive and as a result, the Tigers end up poking a puck out to centre where Markus Ruck chased it down for a breakaway. He fired a great shot to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead at the 12:49 mark.

The Tigers had two more goals in the last two minutes of the game. First, Woo hit the empty net at the other end of the ice at the 18:05 mark, and then at the 18:41 mark defenceman Niilopekka Muhonen fired a shot on goal from the left point and it deflected in off a defender.

FINAL: Raiders 0 – 5 Tigers, shots 15-8 Raiders, 41-30 Tigers overall

After a win, a few of the Tigers are known for a celebration at centre ice no matter where they are, where the gather for a prayer circle. This time around, two Raiders defencemen Linden Burrett and Matyas man knelt at centre ice and waited for every last Tiger to step off the ice.

During the game, two Raiders were injured while one of the Tigers was also banged up.

Raiders defenceman Brock Cripps took a puck up high in the mouth and had to receive stitches, but stayed in the game. Brandon Gorzynski did not return, however, when he took a hit into the wall and left the ice.

Tigers Bryce Pickford took a hit from Aiden Oiring that sent Pickford down the tunnel to end the first period. He returned early in the second, but seemed to be used sparingly afterwards.

This is just the second time this season the Raiders have been shut out this season. The last time it happened was at the hands of the Saskatoon Blades back on Jan. 31. It’s also the first time the Raiders have been ou-tshot since playing the Edmonton Oil Kings on March 8.

The Raiders will have a day of rest on Sunday, then another day on the road on Monday, and finally play in Game 3 on Tuesday in Medicine Hat.

— with files from CKOM News

Read more:

• VIDEO: Saskatchewan Rush eliminated by Toronto Rock in NLL quarterfinals
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• Regina Pat Canadians lose in semifinals at Telus Cup ending repeat hopes