By Drew Wilson

Raiders pump PG 5-2 to open a road trip

Dec 4, 2014 | 12:31 AM

The Raiders are off to a great start to their seven game road trip with Wednesday night’s 5-2 win in Prince George.

Assistant Coach Kelly Guard told the 900 CKBI post game show audience the coaches chastised the players for a sluggish first period which resulted in the team’s trading power play goals.

The Raiders got the only two goals of the second period on odd man rushes with former Cougar Jordan Tkatch finishing a three way passing play with a sizzling snap shot into a wide open top corner at 10:44 and Gage Quinney hammered a Simon Stransky pass home on a 4-and-1 break in the final minute of the second period.

The Raiders dominated the first shift of the final frame and had several chances but couldn’t convert and then the Cougars got back into the game with Brad Morrison scoring on a forehand-backhand move at 6:32, but Reid Gardiner restored the two goal lead midway through the third period out battling Cougar Captain Sam Ruopp and lifting a sharp angle backhander into the top corner.

Captain Josh Morrissey sealed the victory with an empty net goal at 18:50 after being robbed on three great chances throughout the game by Cougars goalie Ty Edmonds. The goal ties Morrissey for the franchise record for career goals among Raider defenseman at 60. A record he shares with Wall of Honor member Emanuel Viveiros whose single season record Morrissey eclipsed last season. The Raider captain also assisted on two goals and was named first star.

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Colton Heffley made his Raider debut after arriving in Prince George at midnight and was paired for much of the night with Morrissey. However former Raider Chance Braid drilled Heffley with a huge hit after the Raider defenseman kept the puck in Cougar territory in the opening moments of the game.  

Ryan Parenteau’s biggest of 24 saves came on a first period breakaway on Chase Witala while the game was still scoreless. He also foiled a 2-and-0 breakaway in the final frame just after the Cougars scored to make it a one goal game. 

Craig Leverton opened the scoring on a two man Raider advantage in the first period and set up Tkatch’s second period goal. 

Guard says it was a solid effort in the final two periods stating good teams find ways to hold on to leads.

The 14-14 Raiders have now won five in a row on the road heading into Friday’s game in Kamloops.   

All Raider gams can be heard on 900 CKBI.

dwilson@panow.com

At Twitter: RaidersVoice