By Jeff D'Andrea

SaskTel Centre continues to haunt the Raiders

Feb 24, 2017 | 9:01 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders (16-40-4-2) haven’t had much luck against the Saskatoon Blades in their building in the last couple of years.

The Raiders have now lost 10 straight games in the SaskTel Centre after Friday’s 3-1 defeat to the Blades (24-29-6-2), dating back to Sept 20, 2014. Both teams will meet for a rematch on Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre.

“We were talking about that before the game. Since the playoff series that I was a part of and we won (in 2005), I don’t remember too much success here,” Raiders associate coach Dave Manson said. “I don’t know what it is. If I knew the secret answer, I’d certainly be sharing it.”

After both teams were held scoreless for the first 32:14 of the game, Blades forward Josh Paterson opened scoring just as their power play was expiring.

Paterson makes it 1-0, gets inside position on Paivarinta just as power play was expiring pic.twitter.com/Zf7galmLqy

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) February 25, 2017

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Raiders forward Curtis Miske tied the game two minutes afterwards, after receiving a nice pass from winger Adam Kadlec. Miske’s goal is his fifth in his last six games, and his 11^th in 23 games as a Raider.

Raiders’ Curtis Miske ties the game after a nice feed from Kadlec. Miske now has 5 goals in his last 6 games pic.twitter.com/Hc0HgRELmm

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) February 25, 2017

Braylon Shmyr gave the Blades a go-ahead late in the second period after a give-and-go with Josh Paterson.

Braylon Shmyr’s 2-1 goal for the Blades, give and go on the power play with McCarty pic.twitter.com/YXBSe4WT9A

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) February 25, 2017

Libor Hajek made it a 3-1 game after he was left wide open and allowed to walk in on goal.

Nobody takes Libor Hajek, he makes it 3-1 Blades; 15:19 into 3rd pic.twitter.com/eF4gE7mrLU

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) February 25, 2017

Manson said there was a coverage issue on the play that should have been dealt with better.

“At this time of the year, things can’t happen like that. We have to buckle down. It’s got to be a mindless way to play, your habits should be ingrained. Those type of things cost us.”

Blades’ goaltender Logan Flodell was the first star of the game, making 29 saves.

Ian Scott was solid in goal for the Raiders, making 20 saves including a crazy, diving save in the second period.

Ian Scott with a crazy diving save to keep this a 1-goal game pic.twitter.com/zV3lTbmSgz

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) February 25, 2017

WHL makes statement on mumps virus

During Friday’s game, the WHL released a statement on the spread of the mumps virus this season. Although it’s not mentioned specifically in the release, both the Brandon Wheat Kings and Medicine Hat Tigers have been exposed to the virus according to reports this year.

In part of the document, the WHL advises on fans to avoid players to prevent the mumps’ spread.

“While there is an extremely low risk of spectators contracting the virus, the WHL has also instructed all WHL Clubs to advise players to refrain from any direct contact with fans at this time,” the statement read.

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