By Jeff D'Andrea

Nach, stock and two sniping barrels

Nov 10, 2017 | 9:56 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders started their six-game road trip with a 5-3 win over the Kootenay ICE, by getting some huge goal scoring contributions from a red hot rookie. 

Raiders forward Justin Nachbaur scored two goals in the first period to set the tone early and lead the Raiders to a 4-0 lead. Nachbaur went his first 10 WHL games scoreless, he now has three goals and a helper in his last three contests.

His assist came on Spencer Moe’s goal, a critical goal to make it a 5-2 game after the ICE rattled off two quick goals to start the second. That newly assembled line of mini-Moe between the giants of Nachbaur and Brett Leason accounted for three of the Raiders’ five goals.

“I think they complement each other really well,” Raiders associate coach Dave Manson said. “Nach and Brett are big kids with good hockey sense and Spencer’s got a lot of good pace to his game and he distributes the puck really well from the centre position. Right now they’ve got some mojo, and hopefully they keep it going here through the States.”

Over the years, the Raiders have had the ICE’s number. After Friday’s 5-3 win, the Raiders now have a 10-2-1 record over the Cranbrook, B.C. based club in the past five years.

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Bailey Brkin was in goal for the ICE and surrendered four goals on six shots in the first period. The Raiders led 4-0 after the first period. The ICE were able to fight their way back in, outscoring the Raiders 3-1 for the rest of the game but the Raiders were able to hold on.

“It happens, it’s every coach’s fear. But I thought we stuck it out for the most part,” Manson said. “We got into some penalty trouble here and that gave them some momentum. We were able to just battle through it in the third.”

Snipes and Scores

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Justin Nachbaur from Austin Crossley and Sergei Sapego, 8:21

After going his first 10 games without a goal, Nachbaur now has 2 in his last 3 games. He puts the Raiders up 1-0 here on the rebound. pic.twitter.com/o3qFjstya8

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) November 11, 2017

2-0, Raiders, Sean Montgomery and Devon Skoleski, 9:52

Snipin’ Sean Montgomery makes it 2-0 Raiders quickly in the opening 9:52 with a nice backhand pic.twitter.com/dPUFttA0O8

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) November 11, 2017

3-0, Raiders, Justin Nachbaur from Jordy Stallard, 13:12

Justin Nachbaur is really feeling it now. He waterbottles ICE goalie Bailey Brkin after jumping out of penalty box and scores his second goal of the period. 3-0 Raiders 6:48 left in 1st pic.twitter.com/RW8mwnxmFG

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) November 11, 2017

4-0, Raiders, Cole Fonstad from Jordy Stallard and Parker Kelly, 16:00

Stallard, to Kelly, backdoor to Fonstad–power play goal and a 4-0 Raiders lead with exactly 4 minutes left in 1st period pic.twitter.com/hk3xheAHIC

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) November 11, 2017

Second Period

4-1, ICE, Dallas Hines from Alec Baer and Cale Fleury, 9:42

Dallas Hines score on 5-on-3, making it a 4-1 game pic.twitter.com/pQmi6O2bNM

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) November 11, 2017

4-2, ICE, Alec Baer from Keenan Taphorn and Martin Bodak, 11:44

Here’s that Baer goal to make it a 4-2 game pic.twitter.com/6QPM3s96VE

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) November 11, 2017

5-2, Raiders, Spencer Moe from Justin Nachbaur and Austin Crossley, 13:05

Spencer Moe is knocked down into ICE goalie McGovern but the goal will stand after a conference among the referees. 5-2 Raiders pic.twitter.com/q3leteQ3pY

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) November 11, 2017

Third Period

5-3, ICE, Colton Veloso from Kaeden Taphorn and Sam Huston, 8:25

ICE’s Veloso gets a free pass to the net from the corner and it’s a 5-3 Raiders lead in the third, 11:35 left pic.twitter.com/3rCu8dFQn3

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) November 11, 2017

Chance at Gold

Raiders 16-year-old defenceman Rhett Rhinehart is off to the finals World Under-17 Hockey Championship. His Canada Red team beat the Czech Republic 3-2 to advance to the gold medal game.

In the other semi-final, Canada White which features a pair of former Mintos in Braden Schneider and Logan Barlage, fell 9-1 to the United States.

P.A. reunion for Patrick

It was a big game for ICE head coach James Patrick, who coached his first WHL career game against the Prince Albert Raiders.

Patrick played for the Raiders in the 1980-81, right in the middle of the franchise’s SJHL glory days. The Raiders won the league, Anavet Cup and the Centennial Cup that year.

Patrick is also the uncle of 2017 NHL entry draft second overall pick Nolan Patrick. 

‘Murica

The trip to Kootenay for the Raiders was just on the way to their U.S. Division road trip. It will start on Sunday against the Portland Winterhawks, then continuing Tuesday against the Seattle Thunderbirds and Wednesday versus the Everett Silvertips.

The Raiders will wrap up the trip on Friday against the Tri-City Americans and Saturday against the Spokane Chiefs. The Raiders will return home on Nov. 24 to play the Swift Current Broncos.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW