The series shifts to Red Deer for games three and four this week, with the Raiders looking to keep it rolling after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead.  (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Trevor Redden

Game three

Raiders look for series stranglehold in game three

Mar 26, 2019 | 3:58 PM

After holding court on home ice over the weekend, the Raiders are in Red Deer tonight looking for a 3-0 stranglehold in their first round playoff matchup against the Rebels.

Despite being the top seed and holding a two-game advantage, Raiders Head Coach Marc Habscheid knows the hardest part of the series lies ahead.

“We know this is a real important game for both teams, but especially them. They don’t want to go down three. They’re going to come out hard and play with desperation,” Habscheid said.

“We need to match that, we can’t get comfortable just because we’re up two games. This series could change in a heartbeat, we know that. We’ve got to start right on time, start playing a heavy game, and from there we like our chances.”

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As for the Rebels, they know they’ll need to play their best to claw back into the series, but hope they can get back to their winning ways on home ice.

Assistant Coach Brad Flynn said it’s about playing the right way.

“We have to stick to our plan, make sure that we’re very good five-on-five and start playing a little more desperate playoff hockey in terms of blocking shots, not making any unnecessary turnovers or bad reads that we’ve worked on all year,” Flynn said.

“We just want to dial it in, play a simple, hard-working game, and let the chips fall where they may.”

Leason sidelined

The WHL announced on Monday that Raider forward Brett Leason was suspended one game after he was assessed a major for checking from behind on Saturday night. The team’s leading scorer in the regular season will miss game three and will be eligible to return for game four.

Habscheid said he plans to lean on Spencer Moe to slide into Leason’s spot on the wing with Dante Hannoun and Aliaksei Protas.

On the air

Game three will be broadcast live from the Centrium in Red Deer on CKBI. You can tune in to the pregame show beginning at 6 p.m., with puck drop at 7 p.m.

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trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden