By Trevor Redden

Redden on the Raiders: Points aplenty, Rhinehart wears red

Oct 20, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Redden on the Raiders is an inside look from the voice of the Raiders, Trevor Redden. It is a mix of information, statistics, opinions, and stories from behind the scenes throughout the Raider season. Feel free to reach out with any questions or comments via Trevor’s email or Twitter at the bottom of the article.

There are two ways to look at the recent stretch of four games in five days for the Prince Albert Raiders.

On one hand, the team failed to find a victory, losing to the Pats, Wheat Kings twice, and the Vancouver Giants. On the other side of the coin, the Raiders secured a point in three of the four games, and going back to the previous weekend’s win in Medicine Hat, have points in four of the last five.

Although the wins haven’t been coming, the Raiders have been competitive in every game, finding themselves to be on the wrong side of the bounces late in the game. The team must be feeling confident that if they stick to the process, the results will follow.

Here are my thoughts this week:

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Montgomery on a roll

Forward Sean Montgomery is in his fourth season with the Prince Albert Raiders, and is on an excellent offensive pace to start the year with six points in his first 10 games. Montgomery got his first goal of the year on Oct. 6 in Lethbridge, and broke through with another pair on Sunday afternoon in Brandon. On Tuesday, he showed great patience as he took a feed from Cole Fonstad in the dying seconds of the first period against Victoria, and tucked a shot past goaltender David Tendeck for his fourth of the year with just 1.4 seconds remaining in the period.

Coming in with three years of experience on the team, Montgomery sees a difference in the team this year compared to a year ago.

“I think everyone’s just excited, because we know the potential we have here. Hopefully we can turn that into something on the ice,” he said. “We’re playing OK, we’ve just got to find a way to win those games instead of losing in overtime or coming close.”

Consistent comments from opposition

Like Tigers Head Coach Shaun Clouston the week prior, Brandon Wheat Kings Head Coach Dave Anning praised the work ethic and speed of the Prince Albert Raiders.

“I think they have a real good mindset in their group in that they work hard, they’re efficient, they try to play fast, so we’re going to have to be ready,” Anning said ahead of Sunday’s rematch in Brandon.

The Raiders controlled most of Sunday’s game, unfortunately losing a two-goal lead in the third period before falling in overtime.

Red and white for Rhinehart

This week, Raiders defenceman Rhett Rhinehart was named to Hockey Canada’s roster to represent Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, BC from Nov. 5-11.

“It’s awesome, you grow up watching the world juniors and stuff as a kid,” Rhinehart said on the opportunity to go to the tournament. “Being able to represent your country is an honour and I’m happy I’m able to do that.”

Team Canada selected 66 2001-born players to participate in the tournament, dividing the roster into Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White, competing against the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.

Rhinehart seems to be acclimating himself well to the WHL so far, and earning the respect of his teammates.

“For being 15, not even 16 yet, he’s been holding his own great, probably one of our better defenceman most nights,” Zach Hayes said.

As a rookie on the Raiders, Rhinehart seems to be enjoying the benefit of having older players to lean on for guidance, like 18-year-old defenceman Max Martin.

When asked his thoughts on Rhinehart’s year so far, Martin smiled and said, “he needs a haircut.”

Guidance comes in many forms.

Late start to rivalry

On Saturday, the Raiders host the Saskatoon Blades for the first meeting between the two teams this season. This is the latest start to the season series since 2007, when they first met on Nov. 23 in Saskatoon.

The Raiders come into the contest with a three-point cushion on the Blades, a team they will likely need to finish above in order to make the playoffs this season.

trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nedderrovert