Late Raider rally sinks Swift

The Prince Albert Raiders shook off a stale week at the Art Hauser Centre with a dramatic 2-1 road win over the Broncos.

Simon Stransky had a memorable Saturday night in Swift Current ending an evening of frustration with a sensational goal, The “A” list (first round) prospect according to NHL Central Scouting was denied on a first period breakaway by Bronco goalie Travis Child who outguessed the young Czech on his patented forehand-backhand deke after Stransky stole the puck at the Raider blue line during a 4-on-4 situation.

Stransky also sent a sneaky second period snap shot from the left win circle off the cross bar and out of play, but would make no mistake on his third scoring chance about six minutes into the third period. Simon skillfully handled a deflected pass from behind through his legs, a tow-drag, semi-spin and high backhand later, the puck tickled the twine in the top opposite corner of the net.  

The Broncos abandoned their trapping style and both teams pressed until the 18:30 mark when Austin Glover hammered home a rink wide cross seam pass from the point feathered perfectly by Jesse Lees during the Raiders fifth and final power play of the night. Reid Gardiner also assisted on the winning goal as both he and Lees recovered quickly from brief third period injuries.  Less was taken into the boards from behind by Bronco captain Jon Martin right in front of the Raider bench and moments earlier Gardiner was favoring his right arm with his glove off after a hit into the boards.

The Raiders closed the door for the final 90-seconds for the win to take the sting away from home ice losses to Calgary and Edmonton earlier this week.

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Rylan Parenteau turned in a solid 25 save effort to record his 9th win of the season.  The only shot that got past him was a Jake DeBrusk deflection with just 1.6 seconds remaining in the first period sending a shower of stuffed animals to the ice from the 2,213 fans at the Credit Union I-Plex during teddy bear toss night.

The Raiders ripped 29 shots at Child who made three great saves in the first period including the breakaway stop on Stransky and was named the game’s first star. Stransky was second and DeBrusk third.

Assistant coach Kelly Guard told the 900 CKBI post game show audience it was a much better effort in all three zones and credits a slight tweaking of the top two lines for lighting a slight spark in their third period offense. Sean Montgonery and Reid Gardiner traded spots with Gardiner joining Jordan Tkatch and Matteo Gennero and Montgonery moved up with Glover and Stransky.

The change was made after the Raiders could generate only four shots on goal in a very tight checking defensively played second period with the Broncos leading 1-0.

The win raises the Raider record to 16-7-2-1 to hold on to a three point lead on the second place Brandon Wheat Kings in the eastern division and remain three points back of conference leading Red Deer with a game in hand on the Rebels. The Prince Albert pack plays game two of a five game road swing Thursday night in Calgary with stops in Lethbridge, Red Deer and Edmonton before returning home Saturday December 12th to host the Kamloops Blazers. 

All Raider games can be heard on 900 CKBI.

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: RaidersVoice