We’re in the home stretch!!!!

The Raiders head into the final three weeks of the regular season running neck and neck with Lethbridge for the final playoff spot in the WHL's Eastern Conference with Regina, just three points off the pace.

While the Raiders dropped both ends of their weekend trek in Kootenay and Medicine Hat, the Hurricanes were splitting their home and home series with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

The P.A. crew played a good game in Kootenay, but didn't make good decisions, like trying the perfect pass instead of shooting from prime scoring areas. The Ice, meanwhile, did a good job of making the Raiders pay for their mistakes by scoring at key times. Goaltender Eric Williams was excellent other than the innocuous early second period shot that made it 2-0 Ice.

In Medicine Hat on Saturday, the Raiders got off to a great start. Relentless for checking pressure and a quick transition game resulted in an early 2-0 lead they carried past the midway point of the second period. That's when Tyler Pittlick roofed a backhander from a sharp angle getting the first of his hat trick and the first of the Tigers six unanswered goals. Raider killer Linden Vey would end the night with three assists. The Wakaw native would end the season series with four goals and six assists against P.A.

It was a tough night the rest of the way for the Raider defence which was under constant siege by the opportunistic Tigers and a tough night for Williams as it appeared the rookie goalie and entire team become either physically or mentally fatigued by the onslaught.

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Tuesday night the Raiders rode the bus to Bronco land for a pivotal sojourn with Swift Current. While P.A. is trying to open a two point gap on the idle Hurricanes, the Broncos have to win or any realistic chances for a playoff spot go down hook, line and sinker.

Swift Current is riding a seven game losing streak and have won only once in their last 16. The Broncos have been decimated by injuries for months. They were without front line forwards Justin Dowling (ankle), Taylor Vause (ankle), and Jordan Peddle (suspended) in Friday's loss to Regina. Defenseman Jordan Evans also sat out with a concussion along with winger Killian Hutt who hasn't played since December.

Goaltender Derek Tendler has been recalled from the Manitoba Junior league to take some of the pressure off 20 year old work horse Mark Friesen who has appeared in 59 of the Broncos 64 games. The Broncos have won thre of the five head-to-head meetings, but the Raiders posted a 6-1 win in their only clash since Christmas.

Here is a look at the schedules involving the three contenders for the final Eastern playoff spot.

Prince Albert Remaining Games:
• at Swift Current
• at Moose Jaw
• vs. Kootenay
• vs. Regina
• vs. Edmonton
• at Brandon
• at Calgary
• vs. Swift Current
• at Swift Current

Lethbridge Remaining Games:
• at Chilliwack
• at Kamloops
• at Kelowna
• vs. Moose Jaw
• at Calgary
• vs. Medicine Hat
• at Edmonton
• vs. Kootenay
• at Kootenay

Regina Remaining Games:
• at Moose Jaw
• at Brandon
• vs. Brandon
• at Prince Albert
• vs. Moose Jaw
• at Moose Jaw
• at Swift Current
• vs. Saskatoon
• at Saskatoon

It appears the Raiders have the most favourable schedule but the bottom line is you have to win those games. P.A. also plays this Friday in Moose Jaw before hosting Kootenay Saturday night in their first home game since Feb. 18. To say interesting days lie ahead falls well within the understatement category.

dwilson@rawlco.com