By Drew Wilson

Blades blank Raiders 3-0, two streaks continue

Jan 25, 2015 | 7:29 PM

Nik Amundrud recorded his second straight shutout over the Raiders in a 3-0 Sunday afternoon win for the Blades in Saskatoon.

The Raiders got caught with too many men on the ice while making a line change during the first shift of the game and the Blades capitalized. Amil Krupic sprung Brett Stovin on a breakaway with a stretch pass from behind the Saskatoon goal line to the Raider blue line. Stovin who scored three goals in Saturday’s 6-1 win over Moose Jaw, beat Raider goalie Nick McBride high just 69-seconds into the game. The 17-year-old Raider netminder turned in a strong performance making 17 of his 35 saves in the first period.

Meanwhile Amundrud would turn aside 13 shots in the second period, and would only face 24 in total.

Associate coach Dave Manson told the 900 CKBI post game show audience laxidasical plays like the opening shift line change would haunt the Raiders throughout the game, adding they didn’t work hard enough to get into the prime scoring areas..

Garrett Armour’s first career goal early in the third period provided the insurance. He tapped in a Cameron Hebig rebound that floated through the air after his dangle through the Raider crease on an odd man rush. McBride dove to stop Hebig but Armour patiently waited for the puck to float below the cross bar on a play confirmed by the video goal judge.

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The Blades put the game away on a power play with around 8-minutes to go as Josh Urich tapped in the rebound from and Amil Krupic point shot.

Manson said the lack of urgency affected all aspects of their game from defensive zone breakouts to the specialty teams. The Raiders came out hitting with MacKenze Stewart, Tim Vanstone and Colton Heffley throwing big hits early on, but the Raiders were unable to sustain the momentum. However Manson said the team has proven it’s capable of doing what it takes to win and they remain in the playoff hunt sitting 8-points behind Swift Current with 25 games to go.  

The Blades went 2-9 on the power play while killing off all five Prince Albert advantages to post their fifth straight win and handed the Raiders their fourth straight loss.

The home and home series wraps up Wednesday at the Art Hauser Centre with all seats on sale for $5. It’s also the final meeting in the season series between the two rivals.

Head Coach Marc Habscheid will talk about the 4-game slide tomorrow night during 900 CKBI’s face-off program at 6pm.     

dwilson@panow.com

At Twitter: RaidersVoice