The Raiders' offence ran dry in a 3-0 loss to Winnipeg Sunday at the Wayne Fleming Arena. File photo/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders Hockey

Raiders’ offence freezes in Winnipeg

Mar 8, 2020 | 8:10 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders’ offence was frozen solid as they fell 3-0 to the Winnipeg ICE on the road at the Wayne Fleming Arena.

Although they’ve played 64 games this year, this is just the Raiders’ second time they’ve been shutout this year. The other was also on Manitoba soil, a 1-0 loss on Jan. 3 to the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Liam Hughes made 34 saves for his third shutout of the season for the ICE, leading them to victory.

But Raiders assistant coach Jeff Truitt said his team made Hughes’ night a little easier by not seizing on opportunities that presented themselves. He wishes they could have tested the overage goalie a little more.

“Even off the rush, we’d be in the middle lane and pass it off to the side. We’re passing up good shooting opportunities,” Truitt said. “The 34 saves, yeah for sure, but they weren’t of the dangerous kind.”

Health

Saskatchewan warned of helium supply cut because of Middle East war

18h ago

Fire

PAFD investigating morning house fire

18h ago

Out of this World

WATCH: Canadian Space Agency's first space to Earth video call with Jeremy Hansen

19h ago

The game was scoreless for the first 46:48 until the Raiders got into penalty trouble. Justin Nachbaur took an interference penalty for a late hit, then Kaiden Guhle cleared the puck over the glass while killing that penalty. Peyton Krebs used the extra ice to wheel into the slot and score the game’s first goal.

Isaac Johnson then carried the puck down the other way with another power play and put the ICE up 2-0 with 7:44 remaining.

Johnson then sealed the deal with the empty net goal, with 5.5 seconds remaining.

“Defensively I thought we battled hard. They would get into a low-high [formation] and we should’ve intercepted those passes,” Truitt said. “Down low, I thought we battled pretty hard and we blocked lots of shots too, give our guys credit that way. But all in all, it’s the special teams play that sunk us here tonight.”

Rookie goaltender Carter Serhyenko hasn’t played a whole lot since the Raiders have acquired hot hand and workhorse Max Paddock. Serhyenko made just his fourth start since the Raiders acquired Paddock on Jan. 9, but didn’t disappoint. Serhyenko made 24 saves on 26 shots, giving him his third straight game he’s surrendered two goals or less.

“In a three-in-three, you know he’s going to play somewhere. With his game coming here today, I thought he did a tremendous job again in the crease,” Truitt said. “He handled the early shots well, even when there was traffic around him, he seemed to be able to find those rebounds. I thought he managed everything real well, but it doesn’t surprise me because he’s such a calm individual.”

Race for the banner

With the ICE’s win, that jams up the race for the WHL East Division banner a little bit. The win puts the ICE just one point back of the Wheat Kings for second place. Here’s how it looks

Prince Albert Raiders- 82 points, 64 games played, 36-18-6-4

Brandon Wheat Kings- 76 points, 63 games played, 35-22-4-2

Winnipeg ICE- 75 points, 62 games played, 37-24-1-0

Just four remaining

It’s the final stretch of the season and the Raiders have just four more games. The Raiders will have a home-and-home series against the Moose Jaw Warriors this Friday and Saturday, before closing out the regular season against the Saskatoon Blades on March 20-21. The home leg for the Raiders will be on both of those Fridays, 7 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.

–

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW