Raiders forward Evan Herman was named the game's first star after scoring a goal and adding two assists in a big win over the Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday. File photo/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders back on top

Raiders rip it up in Red Deer, regain top spot in the WHL

Nov 20, 2019 | 11:05 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders haven’t really liked how they’ve been playing in the previous five games or so, but they’re going to be a little bit happier now.

The Raiders pounced on the Red Deer Rebels for a 7-1 victory on Wednesday at the Westerner Park Centrium in Red Deer to begin their three-game Alberta road trip. With the win, the Raiders leapfrogged the Edmonton Oil Kings and regain the top spot in the Western Hockey League with a 15-4-3-1 record.

“It’s a little bit closer, there’s no doubt,” Raiders assistant coach Jeff Truitt said. “You want to get off to a real fast start, this is a real young team here in Red Deer, and we’re young as well but we think our speed can carry us. Our speed is developed through our passing, and once our passes get us going up the ice, it’s hard to catch us sometimes. But when our passes aren’t on, then we’re stalling that speed. We’re closer to where we were.”

The Raiders did just about everything right. Their seven goal is the most they’ve scored this season with one exception (8-4 win against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Oct. 12). The 7-1 win also ties them for the largest margin of victory this season (6-0 win over the Regina Pats on Oct. 8). They also scored twice on the power play, tying their season high.

Justin Nachbaur finished an assist shy of the Gordie Howe hat trick. He scored what ended up being the game-winning goal, and had a fight just 57 seconds into the game against Rebels forward Jaxsen Wiebe, to respond after Wiebe had driven Raider defenceman Kaiden Guhle hard into the boards.

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But Nachbaur’s play was a lot more than the fight. He dished out plenty of hits on his own, and caused the turnover which led to his own goal in the second period.

“I thought he was the difference here tonight for sure, the way he was in tight, the way he was battling,” Truitt said. “Not too many guys want to step near him. He’s a big man that can usually do what he wants out there.”

The Raiders spread out the scoring and had seven separate goal scorers, and 13 Raiders registered at least one point.

Evan Herman led the way with a goal and two helpers. The 17-year-old rookie from The Pas, Man., now has five goals and 11 points in 20 games this season.

Raiders defenceman Kaiden Guhle scored the game’s first goal. That marks his third straight game he’s opened the scoring to a game. The first two were on the power play, while Wednesday’s was just two seconds after the Raiders’ power play had expired.

Aliaksei Protas scored his 15^th goal of the season and added an assist to extend his points streak to five games (three goals, three assists for six points).

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Kaiden Guhle from Landon Kosior and Evan Herman, 19:45

Second Period

2-0, Raiders, Justin Nachbaur from Ilya Usau, 11:41

3-0, Raiders, Tyson Laventure from Evan Herman, 13:31

Third Period

4-0, Raiders, Spencer Moe from Ozzy Wiesblatt and Aliaksei Protas (power play), 3:38

5-0, Raiders, Jakob Brook (unassisted), 3:51

6-0, Raiders, Aliaksei Protas from Brayden Watts and Spencer Moe (power play), 11:17

7-0, Raiders, Evan Herman from Landon Kosior and Jeremy Masella, 11:42

7-1, Rebels, Jayden Grubbe from Mason Ward, 18:22

Old time hockey

This game was a throwback in terms of all the rough stuff, as both teams combined for three fights.

Just 57 seconds into the game, Justin Nachbaur and Jayden Wiebe went at.

Daniil Stepanov and Joel Sexsmith tangoed 37 seconds into the third period.

And finally, Zack Hayes and Cameron Hausinger dropped the mitts halfway through the third period.

Raiders in Alberta

The Raiders continue their three-game Alberta road trip, as they battle against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Friday and the Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW