By Jeff D'Andrea

‘That was stupid’: Habscheid frustrated with Blades’ play in P.A. loss

Mar 16, 2018 | 10:07 PM

When Prince Albert Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid gets frustrated, he can usually hide it pretty well behind a joke or a few hockey clichés. But Habscheid had no intentions of concealing his feelings after the Raiders fell 2-1 to the Saskatoon Blades on Friday at the Art Hauser Centre.

The game meant nothing standing-wise, as the Raiders will face the Moose Jaw Warriors in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs, and the Blades can do whatever they want until training camp as they missed out on the postseason for the fifth straight season.

But that didn’t stop the game from having three different fights and 16 minor penalties.

Habscheid blames a lot of that for the Blades’ being more than happy to play to get involved in the extra-curricular activities.  

“They came out and they were chippy all game. Play hard, but don’t play stupid—that was stupid,” Habscheid said. “I mean, they were out there, they got nothing to play for. Play hard but play with class too.”

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The Raiders seemed to be frustrated too, as all three goals were scored with a Raider in the box. Parker Kelly scored the lone goal for the Raiders shorthanded in the first period.

It’s plays like this that led to Parker Kelly winning the Hardest Working Raider award. He blocks a shot, chips it by two and muscles off Dach to score a nice shorty. Raiders lead 1-0 after 1 on this goal pic.twitter.com/HgIIBZOXWk

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 17, 2018

Then Max Gerlach scored on a 5-on-3 power play with just over five minutes remaining in the game to tie it up.

Gerlach gets a good look right off the faceoff and ties the game on the power play pic.twitter.com/V135THSQra

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 17, 2018

Chase Wouters scored the game winner on the power play with 1:41 remaining to give the Blades the victory.

Wouters scores to put the Blades up late 2-1, again on the power play pic.twitter.com/NUEYmIPEF7

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 17, 2018

“They scored a 5-on-3 goal and two power play goals,” Habscheid said. “Our power play didn’t score so that was the difference in the game.”

Raiders Year-End Awards Night

It was the Raiders’ awards night

“It’s part, not only on the ice, but off the ice in the community. We take a lot of pride in that. Guys are good citizens and we’re proud of them.”

Rotary Club Scholastic Player of the Year: Eric Pearce and Curtis Miske

Parkland Ambulance Humanitarian of the Year: Sean Montgomery

Century 21 Lionel Diehl Memorial Hardest Working Player of the Year: Parker Kelly

Molson Cup Three Star Award: 1—Jordy Stallard, 2—Cole Fonstad, 3—Curtis Miske

Investors Group Best Conditioned Player: Brayden Pachal

Most Improved Player: Cole Fonstad

CTV Best Defensive Forward: Sean Montgomery

Source For Sports Players Choice Award: Brayden Pachal

Northern Lights Casino Leading Scorer Award: Jordy Stallard

Broda Construction Rookie of the Year: Justin Nachbaur

North Star Signs Most Valuable Defenceman: Vojtech Budik

Lake County Co-Op Most Valuable Player: Jordy Stallard

Rough stuff

Justin Nachbaur vs. Jake Kustra, 2^nd period

Justin Nachbaur gets the better of Jake Kustra in a short but spirited tilt. 1-0 at the halfway point of the game pic.twitter.com/NBEiE5yekR

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 17, 2018

Kody McDonald vs. Mark Rubinchik, 2^nd period

Kody McDonald and Mark Rubinchik scrap for the second fight of the night. McDonald with the big left and takedown. Raiders still lead 1-0 late second pic.twitter.com/6DjqHzr1HO

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 17, 2018

Kody McDonald vs. Jake Kustra, 3^rd period

McDonald and Kustra both scrap for the 2nd time tonight, but the first against each other. If you likes fights, you’re getting your money’s worth tonight pic.twitter.com/ij2iPbufmC

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) March 17, 2018

Leason day-to-day, Hayes coaches’ decision

Brett Leason missed his fifth game to an upper body injury after taking a knock in the 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings on March 7.  

Habscheid said Leason was “close” to returning and is day-to-day.

Zack Hayes was a healthy scratch for Friday’s game, giving way to Konrad Belcourt. Habscheid said that Hayes was “just resting” for the game.

This is the first regular season game that Hayes has missed in his WHL career. He played all 72 games last year in his rookie season and played all previous 70 games heading into Friday’s contest.

Runnin’ back to Saskatoon

The Raiders will wrap up the regular season by heading down to Saskatoon to finish up the home-and-home series. After that, the Raiders will play the Moose Jaw Warriors in the first round of the WHL playoffs, starting on March 23 and 24 in the Friendly City. Games 3 and 4 will be at the Art Hauser Centre on March 27 and 28.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW