By Jeff D'Andrea

Defence rules on Manson night; Guhle gives up last No. 4 jersey

Feb 12, 2016 | 10:04 PM

Early on Friday morning, Dave Manson said he was almost more focused on getting the ‘W’ over the Regina Pats than he was with the jersey retirement ceremony being honoured to him by the Prince Albert Raiders.

Manson can now relax as his Raiders beat the Pats 3-2 in a physical, tight checking affair that fit the bill for the night that was dedicated to him. It’s the Raiders 31^st win of the year to improve their record to 31-18-5-1.

“If you weren’t up for this one in that locker room, there’s something wrong with ya,” said Raiders captain Tim Vanstone. “Everyone wants to go 110 per cent for that man. He does the same, every day. He wants you to have success.

“Dave is Raider hockey,” said added Vanstone. “Anytime you can get a win for a guy like that, who’s spent countless hours in our rink, in our locker room, wearing that logo—to have us win that game makes it that much more special.”

Although he admitted it wasn’t their best effort, Manson said it meant a lot to him to see his team fight for the win as they did on his night.

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“It’s a long wait but I appreciate the players rallying and getting up for it and wanting to play—that’s important,” said Manson. “It’s important that you care about the players as coaches, and it’s always great when the players reciprocate that.”

“Oh, it feels good I always feel good personally [after a win] but I see the kids with their heads up and chests out and feeling good about themselves. It wasn’t our best effort, no, but I mean that’s the way it goes. We found a way.”

Brand new Brendan

During the Manson jersey retirement ceremony before the game, Raider defenceman Brendan Guhle made an important cameo appearance. Guhle, whose worn No. 4 for the first 168 games of his WHL career for the Raiders, gave Manson the last No. 4 jersey. Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt then presented Guhle’s new number of seven.

“It was actually really special. We looked each other in the eyes and he had tears in his eyes—don’t tell him I said that,” said Guhle. “It was pretty special for him and for me.

“We’ve known each other for almost four years now. Him mentoring me and coaching me throughout the whole process and the WHL—that was a real special moment for the both of us.”

“It’s something I know I’ll remember and I’m glad Guhles was a part of it,” said Manson. “He’s been a part of the Raiders’ success this year, so it was good he could be a part of that.

It’s Miller time

As it’s his 15-year-old season, Carson Miller can only play five games this year at the WHL level with the Raiders. That’s a shame as Miller already has two goals in his first two WHL appearances. He scored the Raiders’ first goal on Friday, after scoring in his ‘Dub’ debut on Wednesday in a 4-2 road defeat to the Moose Jaw Warriors.

“It was crazy for sure, with all those fans and the energy and everything,” said Miller on scoring at home. “It was a big experience for me. I’d like to take that back to midget with me when I go.”

Scoring

Miller’s goal gave the Raiders a 1-0 lead in the first period off a record, before Austin Wagner scored his 20^th goal of the season shorthanded to tie the game.

Reid Gardiner got the 98^th goal of his career to restore the Raiders’ lead heading into the second. Dalton Yorke extended the lead to 3-2 as he jumped into the play.

Connor Hobbs, a former Raiders draft choice, scored in the second period on a point blast at the midpoint of the second period.

Rylan Parenteau made 24 saves in goal for the Raiders for his 18^th win of the season and fourth win already in five February appearances.

Pats rookie goaltender Jordan Hollett was pulled after surrendering three goals on 12 shots. Tyler Brown made 13 saves in relief.

The only other time the Raiders retired a jersey was when they retired Mike Modano’s No. 9 jersey into the rafters on Nov. 1, 2013. They also played the Regina Pats that day and defeated them 7-1.

The Raiders have a 4-1 record over the Pats this year in the season series.

The ‘Roast of Dave Manson’ will take place on Saturday at the Ches Leach Lounge.

Watch the Dave Manson tribute below:

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea