By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders and G Sanders finally rewarded in win over Rebels

Jan 20, 2017 | 10:18 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders got rid of a couple of long and painful streaks Friday in Red Deer.

They ended an 11-game winless streak (0-8-2-1) dating back to Dec. 27 with a 3-2 victory over the Red Deer Rebels.

Raiders goaltender Nicholas Sanders picked up his first victory with the Raiders, breaking a personal 13-game winless streak (0-9-1-2) in the Green and Gold since being traded from the Tri-City Americans on Oct. 13. 

He made 40 stops in the victory, including a game-saver with 20 seconds left on former Raider forward Austin Glover.

Here’s that save with 20 seconds left by Sanders on ex-Raider Glover pic.twitter.com/OLZ0ex8BR0

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2017

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“Sandy, we have to congratulate him. It’s his first win and it was really hanging over him so I’m really, really happy for him to get that first one,” Raiders associate coach Dave Manson said. “Hopefully it continues. He was very solid tonight, he made the saves he had to make and made a couple that were ones that have been going in lately. He found a way to dig in, the guys dug in for him and it’s a real good feeling.”

Jordy Stallard continues to produce in his young Raiders tenure, since arriving at the trade deadline from the Calgary Hitmen. The 19-year-old was in on all three Raiders goals, scoring the first one and setting up Parker Kelly and Brayden Pachal for their markers as well.

Stallard now has four goals and seven points in six games with the Raiders.

The Rebels got both of their goals in the second period from Michael Spacek and Evan Polei to take a 2-1 lead.

‘Pesky’ Parker Kelly tied the game at 2-2 late in the sandwich stanza with a very skilled play. A puck bounced high over his head in front of the Rebel net, but Kelly was able to turn quickly to track it, settle the puck down and fill the back of the net.

That was Kelly’s eighth goal of the season, but his fourth maker and seventh point in 10 January games.

Raiders’ Parker Kelly tracks a bouncing puck, settles it down quickly and ties the game late in the second period. Stallard, Hayes with A’s pic.twitter.com/hsUkcHVKvB

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2017

Pachal had the game-winner for the Raiders with just over five minutes left in the game. On the power play, Pachal’s shot deflected off the skate of Rebels defenceman Brandon Schuldhaus and into the back of the net.

Sick moves by Brayden Pachal, goes off a Rebel defenceman and puts the Raiders ahead 3-2. His first. Just over 5 minutes left in 3rd pic.twitter.com/D5nSZh93VY

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2017

The Raiders have sat in the last place spot on the power play for most of the season, clicking at 13.2 per cent. But Manson said it’s coming along and said the players are buying in to getting pucks on goal. 

“We have done that and we haven’t been rewarded, so it’s nice to be on the other side of it tonight. The kids worked hard and we’re very, very happy for them,” Manson said. “You look at that power play goal, we’ve been knocking on the door for most of the year. Tonight, one went our way and we’re very happy for that.”

The Raiders still have two more games this weekend, Saturday against the Edmonton Oil Kings and a Sunday 5 p.m. start against the Calgary Hitmen.

Jeff D’Andrea is paNOW’s sports reporter. He can be reached at jdandrea@jpbg.ca or tweet him @jeff_paNOW.