RED DEER, Alberta (Interstat) — The Western Hockey League’s top team visits its cellar dweller Tuesday when the Prince Albert Raiders face the Red Deer Rebels at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

The Raiders (54-16-0) enter on a dominant run, having won nine of their last ten games. They have outscored opponents 45-12 over that stretch and are coming off a decisive 6-0 victory over these same Rebels just three days ago. Prince Albert’s powerhouse season is built on both ends of the ice, boasting the league’s best goal differential.

A key catalyst is defenseman Daxon Rudolph, who is riding a seven-game point streak. In the two-game set against Red Deer last weekend, Rudolph tallied two goals and three assists, including a goal and two assists in Saturday’s shutout. His offensive production from the blue line has been a constant for the league leaders.

The Rebels (26-44-0), long eliminated from playoff contention, are mired in a five-game losing streak and have been outscored 22-4 in their last three outings. Their lone bright spot in the recent matchups with Prince Albert was a 3-1 home win on March 7. Goaltender Matthew Kondro, who earned that victory with 28 saves, will likely be called upon again. He faced 75 shots in the two losses over the weekend, making 65 saves.

Red Deer will need a similar standout performance from Kondro to have a chance against the relentless Raiders attack. Prince Albert has taken four of the six meetings between the teams this season, including the last two by a combined 10-1 score.

The game is the first of a home-and-home set to conclude the regular season for both clubs. They will meet again in Red Deer on Wednesday before finishing the schedule in Prince Albert on Friday.