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Few thoughts for tonight’s Raiders-Thunderbirds matchup

Nov 7, 2014 | 3:10 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders look a little different tonight, as they will wear a baseball-themed jersey for Conexus Baseball Night for Friday’s contest against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Jack Morris, who won both the 1992 and 1993 World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays, will be the game’s special guest.

Now onto the game notes.

Goalie duel

Since Raiders goaltender Nick McBride earned his first shutout the Kootenay Ice on Oct. 28, he hasn’t picked up a victory. He’s 0-2 with a 4.13 goals against average and a .882 save percentage. In that same timeframe, McBride’s backup Rylan Parenteau is 2-0, has a 2.50 goals against average and a .902 save percentage.

We’re going streaking!!

Craig Leverton has five goals and seven points in his last three games. He scored both of the Raiders’ goals in a 4-2 loss to the Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday. Captain Josh Morrissey had two goals and four points in his last three games, Jayden Hart has three assists in his last two contests.

Our first look at Barzal

Since Western Conference teams only visit once every two years, this will be the first game in his WHL career that Mathew Barzal will visit the Art Hauser Centre. Barzal went first overall in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.

Barzal scored 54 points last season in 57 games, finishing second in 16-year-old scoring behind on Kelowna Rockets forward Nick Merkley.

Barzal leads the Thunderbirds in scoring with this year with 18 points in 16 games.

Return for Kozun

Taran Kozun, the netminder from Nipawin, will return to the building he played the 2010-2011 season with the Prince Albert Mintos. Kozun won six of the Mintos’ nine playoff wins for their Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League championship that year.

Two more next week

The Raiders will have two more home games Wednesday against the Regina Pats and Friday against the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Raiders will then jet off to Swift Current on Saturday to take on the Broncos.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea