Raiders captain Reece Vitelli celebrates the first Raiders goal of Saturday's game against the Saskatoon Blades. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Look good, play good

Reece’s Raiders relentless in response win over rivals

Mar 19, 2022 | 10:05 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders sure looked sharp in their 4-1 win over their rivaling Saskatoon Blades Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre, and it wasn’t just their specialty pirate jerseys.

Raiders captain Reece Vitelli was a huge part of that, as he scored twice, added an assist, won 15 of 23 faceoffs and had seven shots on goal. Vitelli also allowed the Art Hauser Centre disc jockeys to play ‘Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon’ a little earlier than usual, as he scored an empty-net goal with 2:24 still on the clock.

“Whenever we beat the Blades, it’s awesome,” Vitelli said. “The crowd was unreal tonight, one of the biggest crowds of the year, definitely. And they were loud and in it. So it was awesome.”

Vitelli also scored the game’s first goal, beating Nolan Maier five-hole. Vitelli protected the puck and went on a wandering skate in the Blades’ zone, dragging Blades defender Ben Saunderson along with him. Saunderson then ran into Raider defenceman Remy Aquilon, who held his ground and allowed Vitelli and avenue to shoot on goal.

The Raiders took a 2-0 lead after Vladislav Shilo accepted a pass in front from Evan Herman for what could have been a one-timer goal, but Shilo had trouble corralling the pass. Shilo settled the bouncing puck down, and showed his unlimited patience by outwaiting Maier with a toe-drag and sliding in the second goal of the game.

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The Blades would get on the board through Josh Paulhus, as his innocent-looking wrist shot found a hole through the glove of Tikhon Chaika and in, 10:01 into the second period. The Raiders would respond 82 seconds later as Landon Kosior restored the Raiders’ two-goal lead with a hard and low wrist shot after Vitelli again maintained possession in the Blades’ zone. That’s Kosior’s 16th goal of the year.

“He’s been a rock back there. He’s been our best defenceman, he controls the play so well out there and he skates so well,” Vitelli said. “He has an unreal shot, he has 16 goals as a defenceman, leading the league almost. Whenever he shoots from anywhere, it has a chance to go in. We’re all very confident in him, he’s playing very well.”

Kosior took a shot in his ear late in the second period, before returning to the third. Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid said that Kosior “was not coming out of the game” and was determined to get back on the ice.

Vitelli scored the lone goal of the third period, 17:36 into the final frame.

The Raiders weren’t happy with how they played in Wednesday’s 6-3 defeat to the Swift Current Broncos. Habscheid said after that game that he wasn’t too worried about the Raiders recovering and having a better effort against their rivals.

“It was pretty dominant. I loved the response. When we started playing ‘playoff hockey,’ we were pretty consistent,” Habscheid said. “Then we played Swift Current and we kind of stubbed our toe. But it’s how you respond, and the guys responded real well.”

The Raiders now have 52 points on the season, one point back of the Broncos who are in eighth place. The Raiders do have three games in hand against the Broncos.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

1-0, Raiders, Reece Vitelli (unassisted), 1:51

2-0, Raiders, Vladislav Shilo from Evan Herman, 3:08

2-1, Blades, Josh Paulhus (unassisted), 10:01

3-1, Raiders, Landon Kosior from Reece Vitelli, 11:23

Third Period

4-1, Raiders, Reece Vitelli (unassisted, empty net), 17:36

Up next

The Raiders will host the Winnipeg ICE on Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre at 7 p.m.. The Raiders will then head to Manitoba for a three-game road trip. They will play the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday at 6 p.m., before a pair of games against the ICE, Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. All times listed are Saskatchewan time.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW