By Drew Wilson

Morrissey leads Raiders past Hitmen in Calgary

Nov 26, 2014 | 10:42 PM

It was a happy homecoming for Raider captain Josh Morrissey.

The Calgary native set up both Raider goals in a 2-1 win over the Hitmen at Scotiabank Saddledome and was named the game’s first star.

The Prince Albert crew controled the first period outshooting the home side 10-5 and took the lead in the late stages of the opening frame on Reid Gardiner’s high rising snap shot into the top corner from the right wing circle. The Raider assistant captain has scored in five of the last six games and now has points in six straight.

The Hitmen tied the game just past the eight minute mark of the second period on a Travis Sanhiem shot from the high slot with 6’6″ Keegan Kanzig providing the screen on Raider goalie Rylan Parenteau. The powerplay goal was the lone blemish on Parenteau’s solid 17 save night.

The Raiders regained the lead for good late in the second period when Gage Quinney swept home a Morrissey rebound on a Raider power play.

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Jordan Tkatch and Jayden Hart both had great chances to extend the lead to 3-1 on the first shift of the third period but Tkatch’s shot deflected inches wide of the open corner of the net and Hart couldn’t jam his backhander under Hitmen goalie Evan Johnson.

Calgary’s best chance to tie the game came midway through the third period when Raider defenseman Brendan Guhle dove into the crease and combined with Parenteau to foil Lane Bensmiller from a few feet out.

The Raiders outshot Calgary 21-18 with both teams going 1/4 on the power play in a tight defensive struggle as the high powered Hitmen attack was stifled by the Raiders combination of puck control and relentless work along the boards, in addition to gap controling work through the neutral zone.

It’s the fifth straight win for the Raiders who have captured four straight on the road and have raised their record to 13-13.

The Raiders return home to host the first place Brandon Wheat Kings Saturday on Teddy Bear toss night at the Art Hauser Centre.

All Raider games can be heard on 900 CKBI.   

dwilson@panow.com

At Twitter: RaidersVoice