Raiders goaltender Ian Scott added to his trophy case once again this week. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Great Scott

Defending by attacking; Scott goalie of the week

May 6, 2019 | 2:33 PM

In Game 2’s 4-0 win over the Vancouver Giants, the Prince Albert Raiders did something pretty rare.

They held the Giants to just 15 shots in the entire game on Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre to tie the 2019 Rogers WHL Championship Series. That’s the least amount of points in a WHL final series since 2008 according to stats wiz Geoffrey Brandow.

It’s also the lowest shots the Giants have had this year. The only other time they failed to get to the 20-shot mark was back on Oct. 20, shooting 19 in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Portland Winterhawks.

Raiders’ Head Coach Marc Habscheid won a Memorial Cup in 2004 with the Kelowna Rockets by playing a strong, defence first game back in the days of trapping and clutching and grabbing.

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But that is not the case this year. Habscheid is adapting with the times of playing a fast tempo game, while also reaching back to his past. Habscheid broke into the NHL with the high-flying, Wayne Gretzky-led Edmonton Oilers in the early 80s, and uses that style as inspiration for his current Raider game plan.

“When I played way back in the stone ages, I was an offensive player. When I first cut my teeth was with a not-bad offensive team in Edmonton,” Habscheid said. “That’s the style that comes naturally to me, I love that style. History repeats itself — that’s how we try to play now with speed and skill and attacking.”

“If we have the puck, they’re not going to score,” Habscheid said. “And, we have a better chance of scoring, but you have to have good players to do that. Guys have been outstanding. They’re skilled guys that want to play fast and want to play quick.”

Even stay-at-home defenceman Jeremy Masella, who would love to tell you that he’s the reason the Giants only had 15 shots is because he blocked 35 himself. But it’s the team commitment of attacking with speed and energy.

“The best defence is to play offence,” Masella said. “When we’re playing in their zone, it’s tough for them to get shots obviously. That’s what we want to keep them to next game.”

Masella himself even contributed to the attack in Game 1. He circled the zone in the first game like a skilled, top-line forward for a highlight reel finish.

“I just saw a little opportunity. I crossed the blue line there, ended up going down the wall and to the net,” Masella said. “Got a good chance there.”

Awards keep coming for Scott

When shots did find their way to the net, Ian Scott was able to push them aside in a big response after surrendering five goals on 26 shots in Game 1 on Friday.

As a result, Scott was named as the WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week Award.

Scott’s trophy case is running out of room as that was the sixth time this season he’s won the goalie of the week honours. It’s also Scott’s second straight goaltender of the week award.

On top of that, Scott was also named as the goaltender of the year, as well as receiving the monthly award three times for April, November and September/October

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW