Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Special Teams Not Too Special

Nov 23, 2010 | 7:16 AM

Specialty teams told much of the story of the Raider's 1-and-2 record in their three games, in three night zigzag road trip through part of the Central Division.
 
The Raiders went four for 11 on the power play, while killing off all four Hurricane power plays in Friday's 9-3 win. It was a reversal of fortune Saturday when the P.A. boys went zero for six on the power play, while giving up two goals on nine Kootenay power plays.  However, the real killer was the three shorthanded goals given up in the third period, two of which came on breakaways.  The Ice also used their two power play goals to help open a 3-0 lead before the ten-minute mark.  Against a stifling team like Kootenay … that means game over!!!
 
Raider rookie goalie Eric Williams was outstanding Sunday night in Medicine Hat making many great saves early on and some stellar stops in the second period on potential shorthanded goals, while the game remained scoreless.  Tiger goalie Tyler Bunz was just as good, with some great saves including highway robbery on Todd Fiddler during a second period power play, while the game was still boasting bagels on the board.
 
The Tigers would open the scoring with just over a minute to go in the second period, on Jace Coyle's seeing-eye slapper from the left point on a power play.  The Tigers would get the winner with the man advantage midway through the third period as the Raiders were already a man short with another delayed penalty pending —meaning a six-on four situation (both referees missed Jordan Rowley touching the puck which should have stopped play before the goal). 
 
The Raiders would fight back on two Antoine Corbin goals … the first a blast from the point on a Prince Albert power play.  Alas despite a few great opportunities to tie the game, the Tigers would put it away with an empty netter with ten seconds to go.
 
The specialty team numbers on Sunday … Medicine Hat went two-for-six on the power play, while the Raiders went one-for-six.  But again, the Raiders gave up a key shorthanded goal against while the Tigers were serving a too many men on the ice penalty.  Wakaw's Linden Vey went top shelf on an Emerson Etem wrap-around rebound on a two-on-two rush that staked Medicine Hat to a 2-0 lead early in the third period. 
 
It was a disappointing end to a very good effort from an injury-riddled Raider squad, who took on the best the Tigers had to offer.  However, when you are seven games under .500 and five points out of a playoff spot, you have to start turning excellent efforts into points.      
 
Corbin made an impressive debut.  The two goals by the 18-year-old defenseman made him the team leader in goals from the backline.  He also had two assists against Lethbridge to complete a four-point weekend in his first three games in a Prince Albert uniform.  After being a healthy scratch in his final five games as a Kelowna Rocket, the Kelowna boy and native of Montreal, is thrilled to get a chance at significant ice time with the Raiders.   The acquisition of Corbin (for a 3rd round bantam pick in 2012) gives the Raiders ten defensemen with Nathan Deck expected back in the line-up next week.  Even if Austin Bourhis moves back to the wing when he recovers from his concussion, nine is too many, meaning another trade is likely in the works.  The other factor is the uncertain status of 20-year-old winger, Igor Revenko.  He has missed five games with an uncommon abdominal area strain.   
 
Tyler Paslawski was impressive in his two weekend games after being recalled from the Nipawin Hawks.  The 18-year-old winger from Choiceland scored his first WHL goal and a big one Friday in Lethbridge, while throwing the first big hit of the night in Kootenay and almost scoring against the Ice on the Raiders lone shot of the third period.  He is staying with the Raiders for the time being.
 
Shane Danyluk who has been excellent since his return from a high-ankle sprain in training camp and Brock Balson also scored their first WHL goals Friday.
 
The Raiders play three games in four nights, this week beginning Wednesday at home against the Moose Jaw Warriors followed by a home and home series vs Saskatoon beginning with Teddy Bear Toss night, Friday at the Art Hauser Centre.