By Drew Wilson

Warriors ride specialty teams to a 4-3 win over the Raiders

Feb 4, 2015 | 9:54 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders were in total control early in the second period after Reid Gardiner’s first of two goals gave them a 2-0 lead. The Raiders kept the Moose Jaw Warriors off balance through the first twenty-five minutes with a tenacious forecheck and neutral zone strategy that was working perfectly.

The entire game turned around on Jack Rodewald’s power-play goal at 10:44 of the second period as the overage winger crashed the net the potted home a rebound. The Warriors tied it with five minutes to go in the middle frame after a too many men on the ice call against the Raiders. Axel Blomqvist snapped in his 20th goal of the season after stealing the puck just inside the Raider blue line.

The Warriors took their first lead just short of the seven-minute mark of the third period when Brett Howden hit the top corner after the puck delected onto his stick wth Jordan Tkatch serving a boarding penalty.

Assistant coach Kelly Guard told the 900 CKBI post-game audience the penalty kill problems were a combination of the Warriors high-end players and late reads by the Raider penalty killers. The Warriors were 3-3 on the powr play and killed off 2-of-3 Raider advantages.

The Raiders gambled, trailing by a goal with 2:48 to go when Warrior defenceman Spencer Jensen took a checking from behind penalty. Rylan Parenteau was pulled for a sixth attacker, however 1:09 later Warrior defenceman Austin Adam hit the empty net from the left wing corner in the Moose Jaw zone to make it a 4-2 game on the shorthanded-empty net goal.

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Similar to Tuesday night in Regina, the Raiders didn’t give up. Gardiner sniped his 27th goal of the season on a wild flurry from in front of the Warrior net with 1:13 remaining but the Raiders could get no closer.

Guard also said the result was disappointing considering the strong start and the way they controlled the game 5-on-5 while outshooting the home side 30-19.

Matteo Gennaro also had a strong game with another two assists while Craig Leverton picked up a pair of assists to bring his point total to 37 for the season. The Debden native had a career total of 37 points in his first three seasons in the WHL.

The Raiders will now prepare for a crucial matchup against the Swift Current Broncos Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre. They remain eight points back of Swift Current for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division and play the Broncos five times including Friday’s clash.

The Raiders host Calgary Saturday with Tim Toutant providing the post-game entertainment in the Ches Leach Lounge.

All Raider games can be heard on 900 CKBI.

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: @RaidersVoice