By Jeff D'Andrea

Simon says it’s a Raiders OT win in MJ

Mar 14, 2017 | 10:12 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders are hunting down the 10^th spot in the WHL Eastern , and Simon Stransky’s goal on Tuesday kept that hunt very much alive.

Stransky ended the game in overtime to give the Raiders a 3-2 decision over the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Friendly City. The Raiders’ win keeps them one point back of the Edmonton Oil Kings, who also had a 3-2 OT win over the Kootenay ICE. 

For the game-ender, Stransky flew up the ice and received a long stretch pass from Raiders forward Curtis Miske to set up the breakaway.

Simon Stransky snipes in overtime to give the Raiders a 3-2 OT win over the Warriors. Great stretch pass from Miske to set up the breakaway. pic.twitter.com/UInpLbe8nA

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

The last time the Raiders won a road game against the Warriors was back on Oct. 31, 2014. The Raiders fired former head coach Cory Clouston earlier that day, and associate coach Dave Manson took over as bench boss to lead the Raiders to a 6-3 victory that night.

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“It’s a tough building to come into and win,” Manson said. “We did it tonight with what I thought a pretty solid game. We came out, they had some jump off the early go in the first. Then we picked it up, scored that goal and picked it up from there. It was back and forth.”

It was a low scoring first-40 minutes of play. Max Martin opened the scoring in the first period, streaking down the middle of the ice as the Warriors were caught out of position.

Max Martin gives the Raiders a 1-0 lead. Low shot beats Sawchenko on the blocker side pic.twitter.com/wiJOP967Wt

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

Warriors’ defenceman Dmitri Zaitsev tied the game late in the first period as his shot found its way through a screen.

Warriors tie the game. Zaitsev’s shot goes through a screen. 1-1 pic.twitter.com/1KDmshgnzX

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

There was no scoring in the second period, but there were four close calls—two saves on penalty shots and two disallowed goals.

Raiders forward Cavin Leth was turned aside by Warriors goaltender Zach Sawchenko.

Leth stopped by Sawchenko on a penalty shot. Still 1-0 Raiders pic.twitter.com/3piRX9RCJJ

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

Nicholas Sanders returned the favour, denying Warriors’ sniper Jayden Halbgewachs of his 47^th goal of the season.

Sanders makes a great save on Halbgewachs’ penalty shot. Both teams have a penalty shot attempt each, both didn’t convert. Still 1-1 pic.twitter.com/ujSWUCS95R

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

Both of the disallowed goals were at the hands of the Warriors. Moose Jaw’s Noah Gregor’s goal was disallowed as the referees prematurely blew the whistle and lost sight of the puck.

This Noah Gregor goal was disallowed due to a quick whistle. Raiders lucky the game is still tied at 1-1 pic.twitter.com/ggeRMWogcs

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

Gregor was involved on the second disallowed goal of the period, as he was checked into Sanders and ended up on top of him as Brett Howden put the puck in the net.

Here’s the 2nd disallowed goal of the period for the Warriors. Gregor is checked into Sanders before Howden puts it in. Faceoff in NZ pic.twitter.com/GPatjws3Go

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

Parker Kelly gave the Raiders a 2-1 lead with his seventh goal in as many March games. He also had an assist on Martin’s opening goal.

Wheel, snipe, Kelly boys. Parker Kelly puts the Raiders up 2-1. Kelly has points on both Raider goals, and 7 goals in as many March games pic.twitter.com/fzheJi2ep9

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

Gregor scored the tying goal for the Warriors with 1:04 left in the game to force overtime.

Burke, to Howden, to Gregor to tie the game late for the Warriors. That forces OT. 2-2 after regulation pic.twitter.com/DedhNfFlJJ

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 15, 2017

The Raiders finish off the regular season with a home-and-home series against the Saskatoon Blades Friday and Saturday. The season will conclude for the Raiders after Saturday’s contest at the Art Hauser Centre. Although they won’t be in the postseason, they have been able to keep their focus.

“You still need that motivation, there’s a lot of scouts watch teams that are out of the playoffs,” Manson said. “That’s when the true character of individuals shines through. You can see that by the amount of black coats that are in the rinks when we’re playing. There’s always something to play for and there’s always someone watching.”

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