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Raiders fall in OT to Pats but gain valuable point

Feb 3, 2018 | 9:32 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders were looking for the full two points against the Regina Pats on Saturday at the Brandt Centre, but the one they received after a 5-4 overtime defeat is big for a number of reasons.

Most importantly, it puts the Raiders back into the second wildcard spot in the WHL Eastern Conference postseason race, where they haven’t been since the end of December. It also extends the Raiders point streak to eight games (five wins, three overtime losses).

The point was tough to acquire tonight for the Raiders, as they were down 4-1 with under eight minutes remaining and got goals from Regan Nagy, Parker Kelly and Kody McDonald with 37.2 seconds left to equalize at 4-4.

After a Raiders turnover, Cameron Hebig ended it in OT for the Pats.

“We’re disappointed about the loss, but this was a huge point that we gathered tonight, we have to be happy about that,” associate coach Dave Manson said. “I think a month and a half ago just after Christmas, we were on the outside looking in after those two games against Saskatoon and they distanced themselves.

“The trade deadline came and went and we’re a better group after [the Jan. 10th deadline] and it shows in our play.”

The Raiders coaching staff kept it positive during the second intermission down 4-1, which proved to be the right strategy.

“We were down, we just went in and we talked about how we liked out chances,” Manson said. “I thought the guys came out with a really gutsy third period. They never quit, they kept going after them and they were rewarded.”

The Raiders have not picked up a win against the Pats this year in six matchups, but have three points from overtime losses. Five of those games were also one goal games.

With the Raiders’ recent run of 5-0-3, the Raiders sit at 21-20-9-2. They’re currently tied with the Saskatoon Blades in points with 53, but leapfrog ahead to the second wildcard spot as they’ve played one less game. The Raiders are six points back of the Pats for the first wildcard spot.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

1-0, Pats, Emil Oksanen (unassisted), 4:22

2-0, Pats, Sam Steel from Liam Schioler and Cameron Hebig, 5:14

2-1, Raiders, Brett Leason from Brayden Pachal, 5:26

3-1, Pats, Sam Steel from Josh Mahura and Cameron Hebig (power play), 8:06

4-1, Pats, Josh Mahura from Sam Steel and Jake Leschyshyn (power play), 16:17

Third Period

4-2, Raiders, Regan Nagy to Curtis Miske and Zack Hayes, 12:30

4-3, Raiders, Parker Kelly (unassisted), 12:45

4-4, Raiders, Kody McDonald from Jordy Stallard and Cole Fonstad, 19:22

Overtime

5-4, Pats, Cameron Hebig from Sam Steel, 4:13

Busy week for the Raiders

The Kootenay ICE will visit the Art Hauser Centre on Wednesday before the Raiders have a busy three-in-three starting on Friday in Swift Current against the Broncos, Saturday in Saskatoon against the Blades and Sunday at home against the Broncos. All those games start at 7 p.m., except the Sunday matchup that starts at 4 p.m.

 

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW