By Jeff D'Andrea

Five thoughts for Raiders-Pats tonight

Nov 12, 2014 | 3:19 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders could leapfrog over the Regina Pats for third place with a victory tonight at the Art Hauser Centre. The Pats currently sit at 17 points with an 8-9-1 record. The Raiders are 8-11 on the season.

Tkatch loves the Pats

Raiders centreman Jordan Tkatch has two goals on the season (and 14 points), but both of those goals have come against the Pats. He has a goal and an assist in each of the matchups against the Pats this season.

Tkatch’s leftwinger Craig Leverton is the Raiders next biggest scorer against the Pats, with three points in two games.

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Raiders captain Josh Morrissey was the lone Raider in the Subway Super Series Monday in Saskatoon and Tuesday in Brandon.

Morrissey, an assistant captain for Team WHL, was pointless and +1 through two losses against Team Russia. Team WHL lost both matches 3-2.

Coin has flipped

The Raiders dominated the Pats last year, having a 5-2-0-1 record against them and outscored them 31-25 in those eight games.

But this year, the Pats have had the better of the Raiders in their first two meetings this year, outscoring the Raiders 9-5.

On Sept. 27, the Raiders had a 3-1 lead late in the third against the Pats, before scored two goals in the final five minutes. Rylee Zimmer scored on a controversial penalty shot and Adam Brooks scored the game winner less than two minutes later. The Pats then beat the Raiders 5-2 on Oct. 4 in Regina.

Blades of Steel

The sixteen-year-old rookie sensation Sam Steel has 12 points through 15 games with the Pats. That ties him for fourth among rookie scorers, and tied for first among 16-year-olds along with Brandon Wheat King scorer Nolan Patrick.

Staying out of the box

The Raiders have 205 penalty minutes on the year, which is the second least in the WHL behind only the Everett Silvertips (just 129). The Raiders have also only surrendered 58 power plays against, against behind only the ‘Tips.

In contrast, the Raiders have been on the power play 83 times, 25 times more than they’ve been shorthanded through 19 games played.

Next matchup with mascot

The Raiders will take on the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday, the same night they’ll unveil their new mascot. That will conclude the Raiders’ five-game homestand as they’ll go on the road Saturday to face the Swift Current Broncos.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea