Red hot Raiders are tops in the WHL after historic start; Meger called up

“We’re extremely happy, we’re not going to avoid that,” said Habscheid. “We’re proud of our guys and how they’ve played, got better and taken ownership. They’ve bought into the notion that we want to win, not just be okay. They’ve done a good job.

“We’re playing good but there’s a saying too, ‘you’re never as good as they say when you win, and you’re never as bad as they say when you lose.’ We still have a ways to go and keep improving.”

The Raiders have also drastically improved recently in their defensive play. Before their current six-game winning streak, the Raiders were surrendering 4.43 goals per contest. They’ve only given up 10 total goals during the six-game winning streak (1.67 per game), and have also just given up three goals in their last three contests.

“It all comes down to keeping it simple and sticking to our systems,” said Raiders 19-year-old defenceman Dalton Yorke on the team’s recent defensive improvements. “Every practice, we’re working on our breakouts and neutral zone regroups. That all comes down to it.”

Meger call up

For the next two weeks, the Raiders will be without the services of 16-year-old wonder rookie goaltender Ian Scott. Scott is off with Team Canada during the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is scheduled for Oct. 30 – Nov. 7 in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, British Columbia.

As a result, the Raiders called up 17-year-old Curtis Meger from the Regina Pat Canadians of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. Meger was the last Raiders goaltender reassigned in the preseason this season and is the third-goaltender on the depth chart after the departure of Nick McBride.

Meger is 5-2-0-1 on the third place Pat C’s this season with a .928 save percentage and 1.72 goals against average. He’s tied for first in wins and is currently ranked second goals against average and third among save percentage among SMAAAHL goaltenders. Last year, Meger was on top of all those categories and helped lead the Pat C’s to a bronze medal at the Telus Cup.

“I’m just trying to fit in the best I can and hopefully I can bring my leadership from the Pat Canadians here,” said Meger. “Hopefully one day, I can be here as a starter—that’s my goal. I’m happy where I am right now.

“I’m just hoping to show all my abilities here in practices. If I get a chance in a game, I’m going to make the most of them. I know Ian Scott’s a very good goaltender and he deserves a chance here. I was hoping to make the most of my opportunity to make my chance here.”

Top scorers

Raiders forward Reid Gardiner has 23 points through 13 games this season, putting him in a three-way tie for second in the WHL scoring race. Gardiner’s linemate Simon Stransky is also in the Top 10 in scoring, ranking ninth with 20 points in 13 games.

The Raiders will start their five-game home stand on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oil Kings (3-7-3). They’ll then play the Victoria Royals (8-5) on Friday and the Swift Current Broncos (5-6-2) on Saturday.

Next week, the Raiders will host the Calgary Hitmen (7-6-0-1) Nov. 4 and the Red Deer Rebels (10-4) on Nov. 6.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

Red hot Raiders are tops in the WHL after historic start; Meger called up

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