Raiders not using excuses after defeat to Oil Kings

But despite those factors, Habscheid wasn’t a fan of the Raiders’ commitment throughout the game.

“Those two things didn’t play in our favour and it kind of played true. Having said that, we’re the ones that decide how hard we want to play and how hard we want to compete,” Habscheid said. “You can say all you want about bounces or rust or whatever. “But we’re the ones that decide whether we want to block shots, whether we want to battle for loose pucks, whether we take the puck to the net or around the net. Or whether we want to screen their goalie or stand off to the side because it’s easier. Those things I didn’t like tonight.”

Oil Kings captain Trey Fix-Wolansky was booed every time he touched the puck. He failed to sign with the Raiders in the 2016-17 season, leading to a trade on Sept. 7 to the Oil Kings. But Fix-Wolansky got the last laugh, as he scored two crucial goals in the hockey game. He tied the up the game at 3-3 and then scored the eventual game winner within 56 seconds of each other at the end of the second period.

Fix-Wolansky was one of three players in the game that scored a pair of goals. Oil Kings defenceman Conner McDonald had a pair, and surpasses Raiders captain Brayden Pachal for second in WHL goal scoring among defencemen with 14.

Raiders forward Cole Fonstad scored a pair of goals on Friday’s contest, and reached three milestones as a result. That gives him 20 goals and 50 points on the season, as well as 150 points in 193 games played with the Raiders.

“It’s been fun,” Fonstad said. “I think I was just in the right spot and the right time tonight. The first one bounced right on my tape and the second, I just had to poke it in. I just tried to get to the net.”

The Raiders were 0-5 on the power play, an area the team has struggled in during recent games. The Raiders are 2-20 in their past six games.

“It was better, I think in spurts. We moved the puck better,” Habscheid said. “We’re trying to develop a shot-first mentality. We did that at some times, and other times we refused to shoot and then it wasn’t very successful. I think it made strides tonight, but it’s got to get better.”

Todd Scott made 39 saves on 42 shots for the Oil Kings, including a crazy scorpion kick save on Brett Leason in the second period. Leason was in on a breakaway, cut across the face of goal only for Scott to dive across the net and with his stomach on the ice, stick his leg in the air to make an improbable save.

Ian Scott was pulled for the first time this year after 45 minutes of play, surrendering five goals on 27 shots.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Cole Fonstad from Noah Gregor, 12:41

Second Period

1-1, Oil Kings, Jalen Luypen from Zach Russell, 7:59

2-1, Oil Kings, Conner McDonald (unassisted), 9:13

2-2, Raiders, Cole Fonstad from Zack Hayes and Noah Gregor, 16:28

3-2, Raiders, Brayden Pachal from Brett Leason and Sean Montgomery, 17:49

3-3, Oil Kings, Trey Fix-Wolansky from Vince Loschiavo and Quinn Benjafield (power play), 18:25

4-3, Oil Kings, Trey Fix-Wolansky from Carter Souch and Will Warm, 19:21

Third Period

5-3, Oil Kings, Conner McDonald from Vince Loschiavo and Vladimir Alistrov, 5:09

6-3, Oil Kings, Vince Loschiavo from Quinn Benjafield, (empty net), 16:36

Warriors Saturday, Oil Kings Monday

The Raiders will take on the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre, before a quick turnaround for a rematch against the Oil Kings on Monday.

That game was originally scheduled for Thursday, but thanks to a Justin Timberlake concert postponement, the Oil Kings moved the game to Monday. Timberlake rescheduled a Nov. 4 concert to Feb. 7, due to bruised vocal chords.

The Raiders are 41-7-0-2 on the season and 20-4 on home ice.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

by Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders not using excuses after defeat to Oil Kings

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