By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders drop another in OT; Rhinehart with the red leaf

Oct 17, 2017 | 10:20 PM

Sure, the Prince Albert Raiders have gotten points in three of their last four games, but none of them have come from wins.

Like they unfortunately have been lately, the Raiders (3-4-3-0) fell in overtime 5-4 to the Vancouver Giants (3-4-1-1) Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre. That comes after a 6-5 overtime loss in Brandon to the Wheat Kings on Sunday and a 2-1 OT defeat on Oct. 13 to the Regina Pats.

“It’s just frustrating losing these close games all the time,” Raiders assistant captain Parker Kelly said. “Something’s got to be done about it.

“I think we just have to keep working at it in practice. Marc [Habscheid, head coach] has some pretty good plays. We had some good chances tonight but theirs are going in and ours aren’t.”

The Raiders are 1-3 in overtime periods. Their lone victory so far this year was the 6-5 overtime win over the Calgary Hitmen with Vojtech Budik scoring the winner.

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

9h ago

Liquor stores must change hours

Prince Albert limits liquor store hours

12h ago

skin care +

LUXE22 Clinic : Elevating Beauty with Expert Treatments

13h ago

Habscheid said the Raiders’ overtime play has been improving, but still has some work to do.

“We were better today. The last few times, [our opponents] possessed the puck more than we have in overtime but today, I thought we possessed the puck more than they did,” Habscheid said. “They scored on their chances. The same in Brandon, they had a shot and scored. The same at home.”

As the Raiders have had to deal with goaltender injuries to both Ian Scott and Nicholas Sanders, Curtis Meger has had to lead the ship from the back. Meger made his eighth straight appearance on Tuesday, but it didn’t last long as Meger lasted 5:22, giving up three goals on four shots.

Sanders entered the game in relief and despite not having made an appearance since getting pulled on Sept. 23 against the Moose Jaw Warriors, Sanders made 33 saves on 35 shots to weather the early storm.

“He’s in a difficult situation because we really didn’t want to play him to be quite honest, because he’s hardly practiced,” Habscheid said. “He just got back and hasn’t had a lot of practice time. Meegs, it wasn’t his night so we put Sandy in there and he did fine. It’s just the way it goes.”

The only Raider now that’s on the injured list is Ian Scott, who remains out “indefinitely” with an lower body injury.

Red leaf Rhinehart

Raiders rookie rearguard Rhett Rhinehart will wear the red maple leaf with Team Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John Nov. 5-11.

“Well, it’s awesome. You grew up watching the World Juniors and stuff as a kid,” Rhinehart said. “Being able to represent your country is an honour and I’m happy I’m able to do it.”

Rhinehart was the Raiders’ first rounder, 13^th overall selection of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. He has an assist in eight games to start this year, before getting scratched on Tuesday.

“This year, I’ve noticed that it’s more of an experience factor,” Rhinehart said. “Getting those last couple games in last year was good.”

Rhinehart previously skated with the Under-17 Development camp, scoring an assist in three camp tournament games in July.

“It was an overall great experience and I’m happy to keep it going,” Rhinehart said.

Scoring summary and GIFs

First Period

1-0, Giants, Brayden Watts (unassisted), 1:33

Here are the goals. Watts makes it 1-0 Vancouver, 1:33 in pic.twitter.com/5Uj4ck2Dnd

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

2-0, Giants, Ty Ronning from Bowen Byram, 2:21

Ronning made it 2-0 Giants, 2:21 into first pic.twitter.com/GxI92NT3XB

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

2-1, Raiders, Jordy Stallard from Sergei Sapego, 3:45

Jordy Stallard gets the Raiders on the board, 2-1, 3:45 in pic.twitter.com/UYa278JWCg

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

2-2, Raiders, Sergei Sapego *first WHL career goal* from Spencer Moe, 4:50

Raiders D man Sergei Sapego gets his first WHL career goal to tie it up at 2-2 in the first pic.twitter.com/LlD6FPnWrQ

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

3-2, Giants, Ty Ronning (unassisted), 5:21

Here’s Ronning’s second to make it a 3-2 game in the first pic.twitter.com/NjJADs5Wtg

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

3-3, Raiders, Parker Kelly from Jordy Stallard and Cole Fonstad, 18:27

Kelly, Stallard, Kelly made it 3-3 in the first pic.twitter.com/nZMyYOKYbU

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

4-3, Raiders, Sean Montgomery from Cole Fonstad and Vojtech Budik, 19:58

Snipin’ Sean Montgomery doing what Snipin’ Sean Montgomery does, his goal to end the first at 4-3 pic.twitter.com/JR3DbnW8Yz

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

Second Period

4-4, Giants, Alex Kannok-Leipert from Owen Hardy and Brad Morrison, 8:25

Regina’s Alex Kannok-Leipert scored for the Giants and made it 4-4 in the second period, and that’s where we are now pic.twitter.com/X40a1htCb5

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

Third Period

No scoring.

Overtime

5-4, Giants, Dawson Holt from Brendan Semchuk, 2:35

Here’s Holt’s OT winner pic.twitter.com/yzioFKP1c6

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 18, 2017

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW