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Raiders defenceman Jeremy Masella and Pats forward Austin Pratt tangle in the corner. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff
Raiders fire blanks

Raiders fall in overtime to Pats as slide continues

Jan 1, 2020 | 7:08 PM

Dec. 13 is starting to feel like such a long time ago.

That was the last time the Prince Albert Raiders managed to win a game, defeating the Winnipeg ICE 3-1 on home ice. Since then, the Raiders have lost six straight after falling 2-1 in overtime to the Regina Pats on New Year’s Day. The overtime defeat is their only point since their Dec. 13 victory, as the previous five losses were in regulation.

Just 13 seconds into the extra frame, Robbie Holmes scored on a backhand in front to beat Boston Bilous and end the contest.

“The faceoff in overtime was a big thing. We lose the faceoff, and that’s a 50-50 play that you want possession on those in overtime. We lose that and they go down [and score]. That’s the fine line we’re walking right now,” Raiders assistant coach Jeff Truitt said.

The Raiders have been shooting blanks during their six-game skid. Despite outshooting their opponents on average 30-21.3 through the streak, they’re only averaging 1.83 goals per contest.

They slipped just one puck past Pats goaltender Max Paddock on their 30 shots on goal. Paddock has been in good form for the Pats, as he’s posted over .913 in all but one of his last 13 appearances.

Ozzy Wiesblatt had the lone goal for the Raiders, tying the game up late in the second period.

“We’ve played well but we haven’t finished.” Truitt said. “On five-on-five, we did carry the play. We kind of went back and forth, but I’ll give us the nod on the quality opportunities. But when you got those opportunities, you’ve got to finish and right now, we’re not finishing and we’re not scoring enough.”

Raiders goaltender Boston Bilous made 16 saves on 18 shots, including some solid saves on a 2-on-1 rush and stopping Caiden Daley point-blank twice in the second period.

“I thought he was really good,” Truitt said on Bilous’ performance. “He stood tall for us and did a great job. We were really pleased with his rebound there coming back and playing as solid as he did. No complaints tonight, he did a great job.”

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

1-0, Pats, Riley Krane from Logan Nijhoff, 16:38

1-1, Raiders, Ozzy Wiesblatt from Spencer Moe and Zack Hayes, 18:26

Third Period

No scoring.

Overtime

2-1, Pats, Robbie Holmes from Zach Wytinck from Riley Krane, 0:13

2020 vision

The Raiders will head over to Manitoba this weekend for a busy weekend. They’ll face the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday, then take on the Winnipeg ICE both on Saturday and Sunday.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

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