Raiders forward Ozzy Wiesblatt flies up the ice on Saturday against the ICE. (Submitted photo/Mark Peterson Media)

By Jeff D’Andrea

The Wizard of Ozz

Wiesblatt’s playmaking helping the Raiders during streak; ex-Raider captain Vanstone off to three rivers

Mar 10, 2022 | 4:00 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders are playing some of their best hockey of the season right now as they have a chance to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games when they take on the Saskatoon Blades for a home-and-home series this weekend.

It should be considered no coincidence that Ozzy Wiesblatt has also been playing some of his best hockey lately.

Wiesblatt has six assists and seven points in his last four games, including a one-goal, three-point night in the Raiders’ 4-0 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors on March 4. The puck seems to be glued to his stick on his shifts, and he hasn’t been afraid to get into it physically.

The Raiders have shuffled their lines throughout the season, and at times have split up Wiesblatt and captain Reece Vitelli, having them centre their own lines. But in recent games, Wiesblatt has been on Vitelli’s wing, alongside former Regina Pat Sloan Stanick.

“It’s all over the place. I think the power play has been really good lately and obviously, playing with Reece and Stan there, it makes my job easy,” Wiesblatt said.

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Wiesblatt also mentioned how well the Raiders’ power play has been working. They’ve scored at least one goal on the power play in their last five games, which is clicking near 30 per cent during that span.

Landon Kosior has been a giant part of that, as he has moved over to the left side of the power play and has been ripping the puck. All of Kosior’s last three power play goals have been primarily assisted by Wiesblatt, who has been sure to look for and find Kosior whenever he can while up a man.

“He’s a smart player. He goes to the open areas and makes himself open. He moves his feet all the time. It’s fun to play with a guy like that, it’s good to see his game grow as the year has gone on,” Wiesblatt said.

On Wednesday, Wiesblatt turned 20 years old and had a nice quiet celebration with his billets.

“It feels weird to be 20, time’s kind of flown by. But it’s awesome,” the first-round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks said.

Vanstone off to the three rivers

Former Raiders captain Tim Vanstone will begin his professional hockey career. He signed with the Trois-Rivières Lions in the ECHL, the team and the University of Calgary Dinos announced. After five full seasons with the Raiders from 2012-17 and being captain for his last two, Vanstone was with the Dinos for the past five seasons before signing with the Lions.

Check out voice of the Raiders Rob Mahon’s call of all Raider games this season on CKBI. Pregame coverage starts for both games this weekend at 6:30 p.m.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW