By Jeff D'Andrea

Czech-mate, Budik does it again and tames Tigers in OT

Jan 20, 2018 | 10:48 PM

Vojtech Budik is more known for his defensive prowess, as he has a modest total of 11 career goals in 165 Western Hockey League games—all with the Prince Albert Raiders.

But this week, Budik has transformed from shutdown defenceman to a supreme sniper.

The 19-year-old Czech Republic import scored the overtime winner on Saturday night to beat the Medicine Hat Tigers 3-2 in the extra frame on the road. That’s Budik’s fourth goal in three games this week, after he scored a pair in Friday’s 5-1 win over the Rebels. 

What has gotten into Budik lately?! That’s his fourth goal in his last three games. This one is in OT to lift the Raiders over the Tigers 3-2. Raiders have taken all 4 available points so far this road trip, will wrap it up tomorrow in Calgary pic.twitter.com/cxOLykko5N

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2018

“Buds seems to have the hot stick right, hopefully it continues for quite a while,” Raiders associate coach Dave Manson said. “Like I said last night, he’s throwing pucks on net and good things are happening for him. I’m really happy for him.”

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This isn’t the first time Budik has been able to score after regulation. He gave the Raiders their first win of the season, a 6-5 OT win over the Calgary Hitmen on Sept. 29 at the Art Hauser Centre.

Again for the second straight night, the Raiders got a ton of saves from tender Ian Scott. He made 33 stops on 35 shots, including this physics defying, behind-the-back trapper save on Tigers captain Mark Rassell.

This for sure is a save of the year candidate. Didn’t see this at first but Ian Scott actually reaches behind his back with his trapper to rob Rassell back in the first. Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/j1ejjJ8q0V

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2018

Scott also had some late game adversity to deal with. The Raiders had to kill a two-man disadvantage off for 1:51 late with 7:33 remaining in the third period of a 2-2 game. Raiders captain Curtis Miske was assessed a roughing minor well away from the play, and the Raiders were given a bench minor for arguing the call. In large part of some clutch saves from Scott, the Raiders were able to kill it off and keep the score tied.

“He was solid. That part of his game, especially on that penalty kill, he has to be our best killer and he was tonight, for sure,” Manson said.

The Raiders (18-20-6-2) are still five points back of the Saskatoon Blades for the second WHL Eastern Conference wildcard spot. The Blades beat the Regina Pats 3-2 in overtime at the SaskTel Centre.

Scary moment for Nagy

Raider fans may be holding their breath as they saw 20-year-old forward Regan Nagy awkwardly fall in the corner during a puck fight with Dalton Gally. Nagy appeared to twist his knee as he tumbled to the ice and didn’t put any weight on his right leg as he was assisted to the Raiders’ bench.

Nagy, who scored in the game, was playing in just his eighth game since returning from a finger injury that forced him to the press box for close to two months while still with the Victoria Royals. Nagy had three goals and nine points in those eight games with the Raiders since the deadline trade with Victoria.

Nagy appears to hyper-extend his knee after getting tangled up with Gally. No weight put on his right leg as he was helped to the bench. pic.twitter.com/ovlQT8SL62

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2018

“It’s a stick between the legs that was uncalled. Hopefully it’s not too bad for Nags,” Manson said. “They’re still evaluating him right now, but it didn’t look good on the video.”

Scoring Summary and GIFs

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

1-0, Tigers, Mark Rassell from David Quenneville, 9:27

Scott is finally beaten, takes a real nice deke from Mark Rassell to open the scoring for the Tigers pic.twitter.com/dg1QdBOLJC

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2018

1-1, Raiders, Curtis Miske from Jordy Stallard, 11:01

Just how they drew it up, Jordy Stallard finds Miske right out in front off the faceoff. That’s Miske’s 3rd goal and 7th point in his last 4 games. pic.twitter.com/tbTyXeDkfE

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2018

2-1, Raiders, Regan Nagy from Spencer Moe and Curtis Miske (power play), 17:48

Regan Nagy holds the line, then finishes off a give-and-go with Moe to put the Raiders up 2-1 on the power play, 17:48 into 2nd period. Miske with secondary assist pic.twitter.com/QHY2qHty5N

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2018

Third Period

2-2, Tigers, Josh Williams from Henry Rybinski and Joel Craven, 2:25

Scott loses control of the rebound, goes off Masella and right to Josh Williams who ties the game for Medicine Hat pic.twitter.com/FilM55TtM6

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2018

Overtime

3-2, Raiders, Vojtech Budik from Parker Kelly and Jordy Stallard, 1:00

What has gotten into Budik lately?! That’s his fourth goal in his last three games. This one is in OT to lift the Raiders over the Tigers 3-2. Raiders have taken all 4 available points so far this road trip, will wrap it up tomorrow in Calgary pic.twitter.com/cxOLykko5N

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 21, 2018

Stats and things

Raiders forward Curtis Miske had a goal and an assist, giving him three goals and eight points in his last four games. Linemate Jordy Stallard had two helpers on Saturday, giving him four goals and seven points in his last four.

The Raiders will complete the three-games-in-three-nights road swing in Calgary against the Hitmen. Game will start at 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time. Pre-game show on 900 CKBI starts at 4:30 p.m. with voice of the Raiders Trevor ‘Shreddin’ Redden.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW