Raiders rookies impress during tough week of Alberta battles

“All three of them are real hard fought battles and it just shows how thin the margins are within games and a couple little mistakes in games can cost you.”

He added, “I look at those games where we weren’t able to find the back of the net, but it’s where we were getting our chances from and from the inside getting those second, third opportunities, hitting bars from good areas from the inside and hard areas to get into.”

One of the brightest spots of the week was the play of 16-year-old Athens Shingoose in the three games since his return.

Shingoose was injured mid-October, which took away an opportunity to play at the U17 World Hockey Challenge with Team Canada. Shingoose returned to the Raiders lineup against Calgary, while the tournament was started, with a refreshed pace to his game.

Wednesday he had a couple great plays and nearly scored on a onetimer late, then Saturday against Red Deer he earned his first ever penalty shot and was stopped, and finally on Sunday he scored both his first goal and assist in the WHL.

“The thing that really has impressed me with him over the last little bit is his attention to detail and his play away from the puck. His tracking, his stick, his angling, being on top, putting himself in a really good spot, not only for him to get the puck back for his line, but also having his line their ability to create momentum for the next line coming out.”

One of his linemates, Malaki Martin, helped set up Shingoose’s first goal with an impressive assist as he pushed the puck through a check while keeping up his speed.

“Marty’s got a big body and he can protect the puck well. He’s navigated through his discovery period in this league quite well. You’re seeing him continue to move his feet and get his pace up and being physical, which is creating time and space for his line mates, but also his ability to drag the puck and carry the puck and protect it so that you can extend plays or make a play.”

The Raiders aren’t done with Edmonton, as they start their six game homestand with the Oil Kings on Friday. Then on Saturday, the Raiders welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings.

by Nick Nielsen

Raiders rookies impress during tough week of Alberta battles

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