Tigers Hand Raiders First Home Loss with Late Game-Winner

In a dramatic confrontation on December 2, 2023, the Medicine Hat Tigers defeated the Prince Albert Raiders 3-2, marking the Raiders’ first regulation loss at home this season. Despite returning from a victory in Brandon earlier that day, fatigue proved a challenge for the Raiders, who were unable to secure a win against the visiting Tigers.

The Tigers struck first at the 4:06 mark of the opening period. A well-executed rush saw Markus Ruck initiating the play down the left side before dropping the puck back for Noah Davidson. Davidson’s shot rebounded off the pad of Michal Orsulak, allowing Riley Steen to score from close range. The Tigers doubled their lead shortly thereafter, with Jonas Woo faking a shot from the blue line, then driving in to score with a precise wrist shot at 7:06.

The Raiders struggled to find their rhythm, failing to capitalize on their first power play. By the end of the first period, they trailed the Tigers 0-2, with shots on goal favoring Medicine Hat at 11-6.

Raiders Rally Back with Strong Efforts

The Raiders began the second period with a renewed sense of urgency. They pressured the Tigers early, but a standout save by Jordan Switzer on a one-timer from Ty Meunier kept the score unchanged. The momentum shifted when Matyas Man ignited the crowd with an impactful fight against Steen. This confrontation not only rallied the Raiders but also resulted in a power play opportunity.

Despite not scoring on the ensuing power play, the Raiders found their footing. Benett Kelly maneuvered the puck to the right side, allowing Jonah Sivertson to work his magic. Sivertson’s slick move around a defender led to a wrist shot that found the back of the net at 10:55, cutting the Tigers’ lead to 2-1.

The Raiders continued to press and ultimately tied the game at 13:41. After a clever play initiated by Daxon Rudolph, who passed to Aiden Oiring, Rudolph received the puck back in the slot and redirected it past Switzer for his seventh goal of the season.

By the end of the second period, the score stood at 2-2, with the Raiders edging the shot count 9-7 for the period, but still trailing 18-15 overall.

Late Game Drama Seals Raiders’ Fate

The third period saw both teams trading chances in a tightly contested matchup. A brief 4-on-4 scenario emerged due to offsetting roughing penalties, allowing for a flurry of opportunities. However, both goalies stood tall, with Switzer and Orsulak making crucial saves.

As the clock wound down, tension filled the arena. At 18:23, a miscommunication during a clearing attempt by a Raiders defenseman led to a pivotal moment. The puck deflected off the skates of Kadon McCann, bouncing high before landing on Orsulak’s shoulder and trickling into the net for the game-winner.

The final score read 3-2 in favor of the Tigers, with shot totals showing a slight edge to Medicine Hat at 26-22. This loss marks a challenging start to a demanding schedule for the Raiders, who will face the Tigers again in a rematch in Medicine Hat on December 6, 2023. Following that, they will embark on a stretch of four games in five nights, including matches against Calgary, Red Deer, and Edmonton.

The Raiders will aim to bounce back quickly, facing a rigorous challenge ahead as they seek to maintain their standing in the league.