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Raiders defenceman Tre Fouquette defends the front of his net. The rookie also scored a goal and added an assist in the game. Keith Hershmiller/WHL.
Raiders vs Pats

Rough one for Raiders in Regina; Tre Cool gets first WHL goal and 2-pt night

Apr 18, 2021 | 11:22 PM

It may have been a Sunday night game, deep into a bizarre season where spectators are not allowed in the building, and players are trapped in their dorms or the rink.

But as far the Prince Albert Raiders and Regina Pats were concerned, they both played for keeps in what was easily one of the most physical and chippy contests of this Subway Hub Centre. The Pats ended up rolling away with a 4-3 victory to put both teams at identical records at 7-9-2-1.

“It was a good game, it was hard-fought. I thought Regina brought it early and it kinda had us on our heels a little bit. Then once we gathered ourselves, we were good,” Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid said. “I thought we played good. It’s interesting with these types of games for evaluation purposes, some guys want these games and other guys don’t want these games.”

The game was exceptionally chippy throughout the game. It started when Raider powerforward Justin Nachbaur completely destroyed Braxton Whitehead with a check, then fighting Pat defenceman Tom Cadieux. Nachbaur was ejected from the game for a check to the head, much to the dismay of Habscheid.

“It was a good hit. I mean, hockey is a contact sport,” Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid said. “It’s a good open-ice hit. The elbows were down—it was a hit. If that’s not an allowed hit then wow, we’re missing something. That’s as clean of a hit as you can get. Was it a hard hit? Yeah, but that was a clean hit. If they’re going to take those hits out of the game, it’s going to change the game drastically.”

Then Eric Pearce dropped his gloves for the first time in his WHL career, in his 190th game played. He got tangled up with Pats defender Ryker Evans in the second period.

Shortly after that, Ozzy Wiesblatt rode Kyle Walker dangerously into the boards to cause a crowd. Wiesblatt received a minor penalty for crosschecking.

Tre Cool and Laventure’s adventure

In just his second game in the WHL, Tre Fouquette already has a few first. He got his first assist, before scoring his first goal at the major junior level.

On his goal, Fouquette received a drop pass from Ozzy Wiesblatt and picked his spot on the far post. His shot got through a Reece Vitelli screen and into the back of the net.

“I was in shock actually at the start, I didn’t realize it went in,” Fouquette said. “When I found out it went in, it was relief almost.”

Raiders forward Tyson Laventure has four goals and seven points on the season—all of those have come in the four games he’s played against the Regina Pats. Laventure scored two goals on Sunday to double hit total.

When asked about what it is about the Pats that allowed him to get almost two points per game against them, Laventure just shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m not really sure, I’ve just been having good games against them,” Laventure said. “But I’m hoping to carry it forward to the next couple games against the other teams, not just the Pats.”

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Pats, Cole Dubinsky from Drew Englot and Carter Massier, 4:13

Second Period

2-0, Pats, Carter Chorney from Kyle Walker, 6:54

2-1, Raiders, Tyson Laventure from Tre Fouquette and Graydon Gotaas (power play), 9:03

3-1, Pats, Cole Dubinsky from Sloan Stanick and Layton Feist, 9:51

3-2, Raiders, Tyson Laventure (unassisted), 14:28

3-3, Raiders, Tre Fouquette from Ozzy Wiesblatt and Tayem Gislason, 15:50

4-3, Pats, Drew Englot from Carson Denomie and Ryker Evans (power play), 17:59

Third Period

Raiders partner with NorSask

Starting in August, the Raiders will partner up with NorSask Hockey Development Camps and Global Sport Academy, to help support NorSask’s summer camps.

The NorSask camps have been on for over 20 years. the Raiders will supply professional support in all on-ice and off-ice practices. The Raiders Office staff will also be involved with the administration of the camps.

Up next

The Raiders will finish their season series against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Monday at 8 p.m. The Raiders are 2-0-1 against the Warriors this season, with a 2-1 overtime loss on March 14, before a 5-2 victory on March 27 and a 2-0 win on April 15.

Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW