Raiders goaltender Carter Serhyenko makes a glove save on Oil Kings forward Jalen Luypen in the first period of Wednesday's game at the Art Hauser Centre. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D’Andrea

Raiders Hockey

Raiders learn and show leadership in loss to Oil Kings

Nov 10, 2021 | 10:24 PM

For the second straight week, the Prince Albert Raiders faced a team ranked in the CHL top ten. But instead of dominating the then-eighth ranked Saskatoon Blades last week, the Raiders faced a much different outcome on Wednesday at the Art Hauser Centre.

After trailing 3-0 by the start of the second period, the Edmonton Oil Kings needed an empty-net goal late to stop the Raiders’ late comeback effort and to win 4-2. The Oil Kings (10-3-2-1) have been at the top of the CHL rankings numerous times this season, and are currently fifth.

The Raiders (5-8-0-1) didn’t give up many chances in the first, but the Oil Kings controlled the tempo and had more of the puck. Simon Kubicek’s goal in the first period came after the puck took a weird bounce from the back of the net and pinballed through a crowd before Kubicek opened the scoring. 13:13 into the first period.

The Oil Kings needed just 2:27 into the second period to extend their lead to 3-0. Carter Souch flew down the centre of the ice, faded to the left of the crease to beat Raider goaltender Carter Serhyenko on the blocker side just 1:49 into the frame. And 33 seconds later, Souch won the puck in the left corner, and found Arizona Coyotes’ first-round pick Dylan Guenther in front to make it a 3-0 game.

“We can’t let a minute change the hockey game,” Raiders assistant captain Reece Vitelli said.

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The Raiders then managed to give themselves a fighting chance late with goals from Vitelli and Hayden Pakkala in the third. Both were on the power play, as Vitelli dug out a loose puck on a 4-on-3 advantage. Pakkala roofed one on a 6-on-4 power play (with the goalie pulled), to get the Raiders within striking with 2:24 left on the clock. The Oil Kings were able to hold on late, and get an empty net goal from Jakub Demek with 13.4 seconds remaining.

Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid largely credited his leadership group for inspiring the rest of the team to get back in the game in assistant captains Vitelli and Remy Aquilon, and especially captain Kaiden Guhle.

“You can get the coach behind the bench talking, but it’s way more effective when it’s your teammates, your friends talking and pulling you along. I thought Guhles was outstanding tonight, not just on the ice, but in the room,” Habscheid said. “We’re playing a good team, but Guhle has a ring. He knows all about big games, and how to win these big games, and the mentality of it. When you see a guy like that doing it, and saying it, and pulling guys along, you can see we got better as the game went on.

“The loss isn’t great, but the learning part is very good,” Habscheid added.

With his goal, Vitelli now leads the Raiders with six goals on the season. Vitelli

“We went down 3-0 and we didn’t quit. The group really pulled together, and stayed strong,” Vitelli said. “We almost came back there, but we can’t have that mishap in that minute with the two goals there, but it could have been a different hockey game. But I like the effort in the second half.”

Detroit Red Wings first round Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa, who made 41 saves on 43 shots for the win and was awarded as the game’s first star.

Ozzy’s omission

The Raiders did not play Ozzy Wiesblatt on Wednesday due to injury. Habscheid said before the game that it “isn’t earth-shattering” and that Wiesblatt is listed as day-to-day.

Like a good Neighbour…

The Oil Kings’ learned on Wednesday they will have Jake Neighbours reporting this year after all. Neighbours is being sent back to the Edmonton club from the St. Louis Blues. The 19-year-old played nine games with the Blues, scoring a goal and getting an assist. He did not play against the Raiders on Wednesday and could join the Oil Kings as early as Friday.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Oil Kings, Simon Kubicek from Jalen Luypen and Josh Williams (power play), 13:13

Second Period

2-0, Oil Kings, Carter Souch from Jaxsen Wiebe, 1:49

3-0, Oil Kings, Dylan Guenther from Carter Souch, 2:27

Third Period

3-1, Raiders, Reece Vitelli from Vladislav Shilo and Landon Kosior (power play), 1:49

3-2, Raiders, Hayden Pakkala from Nolan Allan and Remy Aquilon (power play), 17:36

4-2, Oil Kings, Jakub Demek from Josh Williams (empty net), 19:47

Next up

The Raiders will host the Red Deer Rebels on Friday, before heading down to Swift Current to take on the Broncos on Saturday. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Around the league

The WHL postponed Wednesday’s game between the Everett Silvertips and Spokane Chiefs, as two Chiefs tested positive for COVID-19. The Chiefs have paused all tests

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Jeff.dandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW