The Prince Albert Raiders celebrate during Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Red Deer Rebels in game three, to take a decisive 3-0 series lead. (submitted photo/Rob Wallator, rawimpressions.ca)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders and Rebels

Leason back in for game four; telepathic Hayes

Mar 27, 2019 | 2:39 PM

Breakout forward Brett Leason had to sit for game three due to a one-game suspension, but it didn’t cost the Prince Albert Raiders.

Overage forward Noah Gregor scored twice to help lift the Raiders over the Red Deer Rebels with a 4-2 victory, and put the Raiders one win away from sweeping the best-of-seven WHL opening round playoff series.

As the Rebels fight to survive in the series, the Raiders will hope the reinstatement of Leason will help in their bid to find that sometimes-tricky fourth win. Leason was the Raiders’ leading scorer in the regular season with 89 points in 55 games, and is glad to be back.

“It’s always tough watching a game from the stands, especially a playoff game where every game is much more important at this stage,” Leason said. “It was tough to watch, but the boys played good. It was close until the end, and they pulled through.

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“I’ve been wanting to play yesterday, didn’t get that chance so I’m very happy to be back and have a chance to close out the series. That’s something we all want to do tonight.”

That gives the Rebels another offensive option to worry about, who already have their hands full with Noah Gregor, who scored twice in game three, and Dante Hannoun, who has five points in the series.

But the Raiders also have their hands full with Brandon Hagel — who’s been responsible for almost all the Rebels’ offence so far in this series. Of the six goals the Rebels have scored, Hagel scored four of them himself and has an assist. The only goal he didn’t play a part in was the Rebels’ first goal to open the series, Chris Douglas’ power play marker in the first period of game two Saturday.

Hagel has been a huge factor and the Raiders will look to limit his chances in game four.

“We just have to respect him, play on the right side of the puck and make sure we play more defensive when he’s out there. And just know who we’re playing against,” Raiders Assistant Captain Zack Hayes said. “The guys that are out there just need to know when that line’s out there and make sure they get their job done.”

For the most part, Hayes and Captain Brayden Pachal have been put on Hagel duty. They hard-matched against Hagel’s line on home ice in games one and two, and Raiders Head Coach Marc Habscheid tried his best to get that defensive line out against Hagel with the last change on the road in game three.

For Hayes, he’s clicked big-time with Pachal throughout the season into what’s been one of the best top pairings in the Western Hockey League this season. Pachal led every player in the WHL in plus-minus at +76, and Hayes was not far behind at +71. Both are +2 to start the series.

“It’s almost like we have telepathy,” Hayes said. “I always know where he is and I can trust that he’ll get his job done. He can do the same.”

As for closing out the series, the overall effort will have to be there from the Raiders.

“I think we just need to play how we’re playing. I don’t think they can handle us right now,” Leason said. “They’re trying to be physical, we’re giving it right back. They’re trying to play fast, we’re going faster. We just have to keep up the things that we’re doing, and we should be good.”

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW