PRINCE ALBERT -- Now that’s more like it.
One night after losing the opening game of their Western Hockey League first round playoff series with the Edmonton Oil Kings, the Prince Albert Raiders were able to respond with an impressive 6-1 victory at the Art Hauser Centre.
As a result, the best-of-seven series is now tied at a game apiece heading into Edmonton on Tuesday night.
Justice Christensen got things started with the game’s opening goal with 36 seconds remaining in the first period and Rilen Kovacevic -- who won the WHL title with Moose Jaw last season -- made it a 2-0 Prince Albert lead 2:35 into the second.
Lukas Sawchyn got one back for Edmonton 3:26 later, but that would be the last bit of good news for the Oil Kings, as Niall Crocker restored the two goal lead for the Raiders at the 9:37 mark of the period.
Prince Albert then made sure there would be no comeback with three third period goals. Crocker scored his second at 3:04, Aiden Oiring made it 5-1 at the 7:48 mark and Lukas Dragicevic capped scoring on the night with 7:34 remaining in the contest.
Dragicevic finished with three points, while Daxon Rudolph picked up a pair of assists and Harrison Lodewyk had two helpers.
Despite the final score, Edmonton had more than their share of chances to get back in the game, but Raiders goaltender Max Hildebrand was on point, turning aside 42 shots. Alex Worthington stopped 20 for the Oil Kings.
Game 3 of the series is now set for Tuesday, Apr. 1 at Rogers Centre in Edmonton.
