Raiders off to best start in last 2 decades; beat Warriors 7-2

That’s saying a lot, as Guhle has played in 128 games with the Raiders since his career started in the 2013-2014 season.

Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid hasn’t been here quite as long as that, as he took over the bench bossing duties on Nov. 1, 2014, but also said Friday’s performance was the Raiders’ best in a long while.

“Since I’ve been here, that was probably our best game,” said Habscheid. “We played as solid and as thorough of a game since I’ve been here.”

The Raiders don’t know what a loss has felt like ever since Brendan Guhle has returned from his NHL experience with the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 13. The Raiders are 5-0 with Guhle manning their blue line this year and have outscored their opponents 24-9. Guhle got his first goal of the year on Friday, to go along with four assists through five games.

“It’s really fun. I don’t want to jinx it and we still have lots of games left to play,” said Guhle. “I think as much as I’m helping the team, they’re helping me as well. It’s been a really good run here.”

Glover not a fighter

Raiders forward Austin Glover is on some serious fire lately. During the Raiders’ five game win streak, Glover has scored one goal in each of his last four games, including two game winning goals. Glover scored the Raiders’ second goal of the game. That would have held as the game-winner but Warriors forward Dryden Hunt scored late in the third period to deny Glover of his third game-winner.

The top-line of Glover, Reid Gardiner (three assists) and Simon Stransky (goal and two assists) has been dynamite to start the year. They have combined for 21 of the 51 goals the Raiders have scored this year, and have teamed up for 55 points between them.

“It’s pretty special. I think we all bring something different to the table,” said Glover, who has seven goals and seven assists on the year. “Reid has one of the better shots I’ve ever seen and Simon, obviously with the puck, he’s pretty special. I try to get the puck to them and knowing I can get it back.

Who scored?

The Raiders had 11 skaters that scored at least one point in the game as they were able to spread around the scoring.

After the Warriors opened the scoring in the first, the Raiders scored seven straight goals from seven different scorers: Jesse Lees, Austin Glover, Luke Coleman, Brendan Guhle, Simon Stransky, Cal Babych and Jordan Tkatch.

Reid Gardiner led in points as he had three assists in the game.

Jayden Halbgewachs and Dryden Hunt scored for the Warriors. Brayden Point, who entered Friday’s game as the WHL’s leading scorer with 22 points in eight games, assisted on both Warrior goals.

Rylan Parenteau made 29 saves for the Raiders for his fifth win of the year. Brody Willms took his second loss of the year for the Warriors, making 45 saves on 52 shots in the loss.

Pink in the Rink

The Raiders raised money and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society with their Pink in the Rink night. A dollar for every walk-up ticket purchases was donated to the cause. The Raiders also wore special pink jerseys for the occasion, and auctioned them off post game.

The Raiders will be on the road Sunday to face the Regina Pats before a five-game home stand. At the Art Hauser Centre, the Raiders will host the Edmonton Oil Kings on Wednesday, the Victoria Royals on Friday, the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday, the Calgary Hitmen Nov. 4 and the Red Deer Rebels Nov. 6.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders off to best start in last 2 decades; beat Warriors 7-2

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