By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders ‘struggling to score,’ lose 3-1 to ‘Canes

Oct 25, 2014 | 9:58 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders’ gun has a lot less bullets than it did when they started the season.

They shot blanks on Saturday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a 3-1 loss.

The Raiders were held scoreless until 39.9 seconds left in the game when Jayden Hart scored on the Raiders’ 25^th shot to make it 3-1.

The Raiders leading scorer Reid Gardiner (seven goals, 10 points) sat out Saturday’s game recovering from an upper body injury after receiving a headshot from Portland Winterhawks forward Alex Schoenborn (whose resulting suspension will be determined by the WHL in the upcoming days)

The team is also adjusting from sniper Dakota Conroy’s departure from the team on Sunday. Playmaker extraordinaire Leon Draisaitl is still toiling with the Edmonton Oilers, scoring his first NHL career goal on Friday.

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The Raiders have been snakebitten without them as they scored just 2.2 goals per game in their five-game homestand.

“Right now, we’re really having trouble scoring goals,” said Raiders head coach Cory Clouston. “We’re getting the chances but right now, we’re not burying them.”

Their power play is also ice cold. They’ve only scored two goals on their last 34 power play opportunities for 5.8 per cent since Oct. 7.

The last power play goal the Raiders scored was by Craig Leverton back on Oct. 18 against the Red Deer Rebels. The Raiders were 1-8 with the man-advantage that day. That goal was the only PP goal in the five-game homestand dating back to Oct. 17.

“We have guys that aren’t used to playing power play at this level,” said Clouston. “It’s not easy when the pressure’s on to execute, sometimes. We have young guys playing it and some guys that haven’t had experience on it, and it’s shown when we’ve needed (a goal) the most.

“We’re struggling and it’s not chipping in offensively when we need it.”

Hurricanes’ goaltender Stuart Skinner made 24 saves in the game and was 39.9 seconds away from his first career WHL shutout. Skinner, who doesn’t turn 16 years old until Nov. 1, has carried the load for the Hurricanes. He’s appeared in 10 games and has all four Hurricanes wins, including winning their past three games in goal.

“It’s huge. He has so much confidence for a young guy,” said Hurricanes defenceman Bryton Sayers. “He’s 15 years old, but he plays like he’s played here for four years. He can make those key saves that can keep a game, those are huge.”

The big win against the Raiders for the three-game winning streak is even sweeter to Sayers, who is from Prince Albert and played with the Mintos for two seasons before joining the Hurricanes.

“It seems so good in front of friends and family,” said 18-year-old Sayers. “The team played great, we were playing as a team and we’re really coming together.

“The dressing room, it’s great in there. Everything’s positive.”

Also on the Hurricanes is P.A. product Miles Warkentine, who’s only played two games as he nurses a lower body injury.

Meeting Messier

The Raiders got their first glance at what Marcus Messier will look like in Raider green this year.

The 20-year-old centreman was acquired from free agency on Thursday by the Raiders, four days after 20-year-old Dakota Conroy left the team.

Messier was released by the Spokane Chiefs two games into the season on Oct. 2 so the Chiefs could get down to the maximum three overagers. Most players in Messier’s situation would have opted for a Junior A contract, but Messier waited to see if there was interest from WHL clubs and was happy the Raiders reached out.

 “It was an opportunity I didn’t want to (give) up,” said Messier. “I mean, they have a lot of skilled guys, a good coaching staff and all that here.

“I was pretty quick to jump on the opportunity. I’m glad to be here.”

The bloodlines are as hockey-rich as any. Yes, he’s related to the great Mark Messier, they’re cousins.

Marcus’ older brother Jordan Messier was a five-year WHL veteran, playing with the Tri-City Americans before finishing his WHL career with the Moose Jaw Warriors. Jordan now plays with the University of Calgary Dinos in the CIS.

Summary

‘Canes forward Taylor Cooper led the way with a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes and was the game’s first star. Cooper scored in the first period and assisted on Dexter Bricker’s goal in the second.

Hurricanes defenceman Andrew Nielsen made it 3-0 midway through the third, before Jayden Hart scored late for the 3-1 final score.

Rylan Parenteau made 21 saves on 24 shots in goal for the Raiders.

Road trippin’

The Raiders will embark on a three-game road trip next week with games against the Kootenay Ice on Tuesday, the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday and the Moose Jaw Warriors on Halloween Friday.

The Raiders will return home on Nov. 1 for a rivalry matchup against the Saskatoon Blades.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea