Raiders outworked by desperate Wheat Kings in overtime

Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid hinted in his postgame interviews that were some of his key players that didn’t live up to standard, without mentioning names.

“We probably got what we deserved because we didn’t play as hard as Brandon did, they played harder,” Habscheid said. “There were probably a couple key guys that didn’t spin a wheel tonight.”

But Parker Kelly raised his hand and said he was one of those players. Despite being named as the game’s first star with two goals and an assist, having back-to-back games with two goals and scoring five goals and seven points in his last three games, Kelly still said he personally needed to be better.

“I’ll be the first to say it, I was really soft tonight. The leadership group, we have to do a way better job at playing a heavier game,” Kelly said. “Ultimately, me being soft contributed to a goal that let them tie it up. We have to look ourselves in the mirror here tonight and get back on track for tomorrow.”

For the Wheat Kings, they’ve battling for a playoff spot. They’re currently six points out of a wildcard position behind the Calgary Hitmen. The Wheat Kings’ win allows them to keep pace with the Hitmen, who also won on Friday by beating the Medicine Hat Tigers 3-1.

Hayes joins the milestone club

Raiders defenceman Zack Hayes played in his 200^th game on Friday.

Hayes is the sixth Raider to reach a big games-played milestone this year. Max Martin, Brayden Pachal and Noah Gregor all picked up their 200^th game earlier this season. Dante Hannoun played in his 300^th game while Sean Montgomery has broken the Raiders game played record and played his 333^rd game on Friday.

“We’re building a lot of chemistry between us, especially with Sergei [Sapego] fitting in with us,” Hayes said. “We’ve been able to work together these last couple years.”

Third game missed for Scott and Leason

Ian Scott and Brett Leason were both sidelined for the third consecutive game with lower body injuries and couldn’t play. Both are listed as day-to-day. Habscheid said they didn’t want to force either player back into the lineup prematurely, and will keep monitoring their progress.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Sean Montgomery from Dante Hannoun and Parker Kelly, 10:35

1-1, Wheat Kings, Ben McCartney (unassisted), 13:46

Second Period

2-1, Wheat Kings, Cole Reinhardt from Stelio Mattheos, 3:27

2-2, Raiders, Parker Kelly from Sergei Sapego and Max Martin, 14:10

Third Period

3-2, Raiders, Aliaksei Protas from Justin Nachbaur, 2:48

3-3, Wheat Kings, Caiden Daley, 8:43

4-3, Raiders, Parker Kelly from Max Martin and Aliaksei Protas (power play), 13:25

4-4, Wheat Kings, Luka Burzan from Cole Reinhardt, 13:40

Overtime

5-4, Wheat Kings, Zach Wytinck from Chad Nychuk, 3:06

Back to Brandon, then home sticking

The Raiders will complete the home-and-home series on Saturday at Westoba Place at Brandon, then will play five consecutive games at the Art Hauser Centre. In fact, eight of the Raiders’ remaining games after Saturday will be on home ice.

The Raiders will play the Moose Jaw Warriors on Family Day Monday at 4 p.m., before hosting the Kootenay ICE on Friday and the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday. The Raiders will then play the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Feb. 28 and the Red Deer Rebels on March 1, before heading back to Moose Jaw on March 2.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

by Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders outworked by desperate Wheat Kings in overtime

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