By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders win a big statement game over Wheaties

Feb 16, 2018 | 9:25 PM

After the Prince Albert Raiders went winless in their three-game weekend, Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid sat on the Ches Leach Lounge couch on Sunday at said “we need a save.”

The Raiders certainly received that on Friday at the Art Hauser Centre, in their 5-2 over the Brandon Wheat Kings. Curtis Meger made at least three highlight reel saves and earned the Raiders’ player of the game top hat, stopping 18 of 20 Wheaties’ shots.

Not only did he get the hat, but Habscheid already publically confirmed that Meger will get the nod on Saturday night against the Wheat Kings in Brandon.

“He didn’t get 40 shots, but in the first period, he had some saves he had to make. They would have made it 2-2 coming in [to the second]. He stopped the ones he should, that’s all we ask. He did that tonight and he will play tomorrow.”

Meger saw a bunch of the Broncos from Swift Current last weekend, but was able to rebound in a big way on Friday.

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“The last couple games didn’t really go as planned, the start in Swift was a right off. It was a bad game, but I felt my game as the game went on,” Meger said. “Then Swift again on Sunday, I felt really good. I translated today. Then I worked hard in practice and felt really good going into the game today. I really wanted to be a lock back there for the boys.”

Scoring the game winner for the Raiders was a big man not known for scoring too many goals, as Zack Hayes banged in his third goal of the year.

Habscheid joked about Hayes trying to finesse his way into power play drills before getting detected.

“On the power play [drills], he tries to sneak down my end, I don’t know how he gets down there, but I have to chase him down the other end,” Habscheid said. “He’s a fun kid, I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Parks and Recreation back on the air

After taking a major checking from behind penalty against the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday, it was undecided at the time how long Raiders forward Parker Kelly would sit for.

As it turns out, it was only for Sunday’s 6-5 defeat to the Swift Current Broncos as Kelly was only levied one game. Kirby Dach, the Blade that was hit, also only missed one game. He returned and enjoyed a one goal, three point night in the Blades’ 3-2 win over the Kootenay ICE on Wednesday.

Scoreboard watching

The Lethbridge Hurricanes did the Raiders a big favour on Friday, defeating the Saskatoon Blades 5-4 in regulation. That means the Raiders gain two points on the Blades, and are four points back of the Blades for the second wildcard in the WHL Eastern Conference, with two games in hand.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Brett Leason from Sergei Sapego and Justin Nachbaur, 2:04

2-0, Raiders, Regan Nagy from Max Martin and Jordy Stallard, 6:47

2-1, Wheat Kings, Schael Higson from Gunnar Wegleitner, 15:54

Second Period

No scoring.

Third Period

3-1, Raiders, Zack Hayes from Brayden Pachal and Kody McDonald, 3:01

3-2, Wheat Kings, Ty Lewis from Evan Weinger, 3:24

4-2, Raiders, Vojtech Budik from Parker Kelly and Cole Fonstad, 6:54

5-2, Raiders, Kody McDonald from Parker Kelly, 15:44

Family Day

After the Raiders finish up the home-and-home series in Brandon on Saturday, the Raiders will return home on Monday to host the Regina Pats for a Family Day matinee at 4 p.m.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW