By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders ‘Bash the Blades’ in must-win

Jan 28, 2015 | 9:33 PM

Even though his team won 6-1 in front of the second largest Art Hauser Centre crowd of the year, Prince Albert Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid was as fired up as he’s been since taken over the coaching duties on Nov. 1.

After Blades steamrolled the Raiders 3-0 Sunday in Saskatoon, they may have enjoyed their victory a little too much and jawed at the Raiders after the game.

“They motivated us. Some of their players had a lot to say,” said a passionate Habscheid. “They called (us out) on our bench at the end of the last game, and no one insults our logo.

“That really motivated our guys. We’d like to thank them for the motivation.”

They also said a few things in the Saskatoon media. Blades captain Brett Stovin suggested in the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix that the Raiders were “sleeping” at points during Sunday’s game.

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Blades head coach and general manager Bob Woods said on the Blades official website, “we thumped them pretty good last time out, on national TV.”

But the pièce de résistance was rookie forward Garrett Armour’s comments in that same article on the Blades website. When asked about the Raiders ‘Bash the Blades’ $5 ticket promotion for Wednesday’s game, Armour laughed. “Bash us? After we beat them three straight times. Well whatever fills the barn I guess. We’re looking forward to coming in and ruining their night.”

None of those snippets sat too well with the Raiders, either.

 “I thought that they disrespected our organization and they disrespected our team through the media,” said captain Sawyer Lange. “I think it came back to bite them, there.”

The game was a huge test for the Raiders. They entered the game on a four-game losing streak, against a Blades team who beat the Raiders in their previous three meetings by 14-3. Nick Amundrud had two consecutive shutouts as well against the Raiders.

“That’s huge for us,” said Raiders assistant captain Jesse Lees, who had two points in his 200^th career game on Wednesday. “We’ve had a few problems with them lately, so it’s great to finally get in the win column against them. They’re definitely one of our biggest rivals I think, so it’s great to end the season series against them with a win.”

Jayden Hart got the game rolling with the lone first period goal, deflecting a Brendan Guhle shot. The Raiders exploded with one of their better periods in recent memory, scoring three goals. Sean Montgomery scored, Colton Heffley and Jesse Lees all scored for a 4-0 lead heading into the third.

Reid Gardiner scored to make it 5-0 in the third period to complete a Gordie Howe hat trick, as he fought with Blades assistant captain Nick Zajac in the game.

Blades D-man Brycen Martin ruined Raiders goaltender Rylan Parenteau’s shutout bid with about five minutes left in the game, but Raiders captain Sawyer Lange got the goal back to make it 6-1.

The win gives the Raiders 41 points on the year, eight back of the Swift Current Broncos for third in the WHL East Division with a game in hand, and three back of the Moose Jaw Warriors for fourth.

Oh captain, my captain

Although it was Sawyer Lange’s third game as the Raiders captain, it was his first at home in the Art Hauser Centre wearing that ‘C.’ Lange was born and raised in Prince Albert, and grew up watching his hometown Raiders as a youngster. 

“Tonight was huge for me. It’s my first game back at home since I’ve been captain and since my injury. It’s also my last game against the Blades that I’ll ever play,” said Lange. “I’ve had a good rivalry with them for my entire life, watching them play against the Raiders as a kid and playing against them myself.

“It was a really big game for me, today.”

Habscheid joked after the game that Lange didn’t just try to put the puck in the net in the third period, but he tried to blast it through the net.

“If anything, Sawyer probably was trying a little too hard tonight, but it’s an exciting time for him, first time wearing the ‘C” at home,” said Habscheid. “It’s exciting for him and his family and we’re happy for him.”

Lange was named as the Raiders’ skipper on Jan. 20 to replace the departed Josh Morrissey.

Bash the Blades

The Raiders made their tickets $5 for a special ‘Bash the Blades’ night to earn an attendance of 2,935, their second highest total of the year.

This is the fifth time the Raiders have had a standing room only crowd this year. Three of those seat-sellout games came Bridge City rivals, which includes the Dec. 27 (2,709) and the home opener on Sept. 19 (2,851). Their last complete sellout was the regular season finale on March 14, 2014—again against the Blades.

Heading into Wednesday’s game, the Raiders were averaging 2,386 tickets sold per game, 110 below last year’s average.

Monty’s New Year’s resolution complete

On New Year’s Eve, Raiders rookie forward Sean Montgomery tweeted “All I want in 2015 is a goal.” He got his wish on Wednesday with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle, beating Nik Amundrud low glove side halfway through the game. That was the first in his 45-game career.

“It was starting to eat away at me, but it was great to finally get one,” said Montgomery.

Raiders assistant captain Reid Gardiner skated in the neutral zone to secure the puck to give to the rookie.

Coach’s birthday

Raiders associate coach Dave Manson celebrated his 48^th birthday on Wednesday. Manson was born in Prince Albert on this date in 1967.

Looking ahead

The Raiders will play their next four games on the road, taking on the Calgary Hitmen on Jan. 30, Red Deer Rebels on Jan. 31, the Regina Pats on Feb. 3 and the Moose Jaw Warriors on Feb. 4. They’ll return home on Feb. 6 for a contest against the Swift Current Broncos.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea