Raiders bounce Blades in preseason opener
Goaltending was a major factor in the Raiders 6-2 win in Friday's preseason opener against the Saskatoon Blades at the Art Hauser Centre.
The difference was an unanswered six goal eruption in the second period. German import Leon Draisaitl chipped in rebounds from Jesse Knowler and Jonas Knutsen to give the Raiders a 2-goal lead by the five minute park of the middle frame as the 2nd overall pick in the CHL import draft made an impressive WHL debut.
Overage centre man Anthony Bardero beat Blades starting goaltender Nathan Alalouf with a blast to the short side from the right wing circle just over 4-minutes later.
After similar shots from opposite sides in close by Chance Braid and 16-year-old rookie Tim Vanstone victimized relief netminser Derek Davis, Luke Mahura would then rip a slap shot past Davis from the top of the right wing circle completing a 3-goal in 2:23 onslaught as the Raiders led 6-0 after two periods.