Evan Herman celebrates his first-period goal against the Calgary Hitmen, which would prove to be the only goal of the game. (Submitted Photo/Candice Ward/Calgary Hitmen)

By Rob Mahon

Chaika Blanks Hitmen

Chaika posts first shutout as Raiders win second straight

Feb 24, 2022 | 8:48 AM

Scoring just once in a hockey game is not usually a recipe for success, but when your defensemen keep chances to a minimum and your goaltender stops every puck thrown his way, sometimes it’s all you need.

Evan Herman provided that goal and Tikhon Chaika stopped all 26 shots he faced as the Raiders earned two massive points, and just as importantly kept two from the grasp of the Calgary Hitmen. Brayden Peters stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Calgary cage.

Entering play, the Hitmen had been sliding and struggling to score goals, having potted just nine goals during their seven-game losing streak. They came out hot, drawing a penalty in the opening minute and getting the first handful of shots in the game, but couldn’t crack through the Raiders defensive structure or Chaika. Their second power-play had more chances but fared no better.

Late in the first, Herman acted as the lone fore-checker on a Hitmen defenseman to the right of the Calgary net. With a deft stick, Herman picked off the pass and drove his way to the net, lifting a backhand past the outstretched glove of Peters for what would prove to be the only goal of the game.

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Not knowing they’d gotten all the offence they would need, the Raiders pushed hard late in the second period, with Herman leading the way again, setting up Carson Latimer for what seemed to be a sure goal. Peters, however, had other ideas, stretching out with his right pad to rob Latimer of the insurance marker.

A power play each way in the third period turned up no results on the scoresheet, and a chance for the Raiders on the power play late in the third yielded plenty of chances, including several in tight off shots from Landon Kosior, but no change in the score. The Raiders had taken the lead in the shots on goal department, but a desperate Hitmen squad began to fire from anywhere and everywhere.

Thanks to a steady defence in front of him, however, Chaika had a clean look at most of the shots and reacted well to the ones that came through screens. The best of the chances for Calgary came off the final faceoff of the game, but their point shot found the trapper of Chaika.

The win moves the Raiders within two points of the Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes, who sit tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the east. The Raiders are back in action on Friday night against the Red Deer Rebels at 8:00 Saskatchewan time on 900 CKBI.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP