Raiders forward Evan Herman finds his way on top of Blades forward Evan Patrician during a scrum at the end of the Raiders’ 3-0 victory Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Bash the Blades

Raiders respond in a big way over the Blades

Feb 29, 2020 | 10:31 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders wanted to come out strong on home ice, after a flat and disappointing 4-2 defeat to the Saskatoon Blades on Friday.

And boy did they ever.

The Raiders had one of their better first periods in team history on their way to a 3-0 victory Saturday night at the Art Hauser Centre.

The Raiders had a 2-0 lead and outshot the Blades 27-5 in the first 20 minutes. That’s the most shots in a single period the Raiders have had in the last 30 years. You’d have to go all the way back to March 14, 1990 when they had more—28 shots in the third period against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Not only that, but the Raiders had more shots in the first period than they did in all of Friday’s game, managing just 26.

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“We’re a pretty good team when we work and play hard. That was the difference—it’s pretty basic. Pretty simple,” Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid said. “The guys usually play on average from 15 to a little more than 20 (minutes). If that’s a work day, I’ll take that all day long. We just wanted them to try their hardest, I mean, compete. It’s pretty simple.

“That’s been our foundation forever, since I watched this team play back in the day, until now. That does not change, that’s non negotiable,” Habscheid added. “I absolutely hated how our top end and competed last night. They were better tonight.”

It was an intense, chippy, playoff-like game for all of the 60 minutes on Saturday. That’s an environment that Raiders veteran Justin Nachbaur relishes in. Not only did he play his usual, hard-nosed physical game, but he ended the contest as the only player to have multiple points.

Nachbaur tipped in a power play goal in the second period, as he set up a high screen in front.

Then in the second period, Nachbaur found Daniil Stepanov from the end boards for the assist.

“I like these kind of games. Saskatoon’s a good rival and I’m a big guy,” Nachbaur said. “That’s what I got to do.”

Habscheid likes what Nachbaur brings to the table, especially in games like Saturday.

“He’s a big body. He knows his role and he knows how to help the group,” Habscheid said. “When he does that, he’s effective and for the most part, he does that. He creates a lot of room, he’s a presence and a good teammate.”

Max Paddock stopped all 18 shots that came his way for his third shutout as a Raider and fifth on the season. Nolan Maier made 40 saves on 43 shots to keep the Blades in the game.

Kaiden Guhle scored the Raiders’ first goal of the game, his 10^th of the season. Ilya Usau and Ozzy Wiesblatt each got an assist on Guhle’s goal, both extended their point scoring streaks to eight and seven games, respectively.

Scoreboard searching

With the win, the Raiders improve to 75 points on 57 games played with a 33-17-5-4 record to lead the WHL East Division race. The Brandon Wheat Kings’ 4-3 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes, they are now one point back at 74, with two more games played. The Winnipeg ICE are in third place, with 69 points through 57 games. The Blades are in the second wildcard position with 67 points through 59 games.

Injury front

The Raiders have been rather lucky in avoiding injuries this year, but are dealing with one now. Matthew Culling is out with an upper body injury, and Habscheid said it’s a “week-to-week” situation. That leaves the Raiders with exactly six defencemen and 12 forwards on there roster.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Kaiden Guhle from Ozzy Wiesblatt and Ilya Usau (power play), 8:44

2-0, Raiders, Justin Nachbaur from Landon Kosior and Spencer Moe (power play), 18:28

Second Period

3-0, Raiders, Daniil Stepanov from Justin Nachbaur, 5:58

Third Period

No scoring.

No rest for the wicked

The Raiders will close out their busy weekend by taking on the Moose Jaw Warriors on Sunday at 6 p.m. That will be the third game in as many nights for both clubs.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW