Leason’s preseason finale a good one, Raiders 5 Blades 2

“It definitely brings my confidence up, every chance I get, the confidence goes higher and higher,” the six-foot-four, 200-pound winger said. “I just want to keep that going.”

When Leason gets it going, it can last for quite a while. Last year, Leason had a six-game goal scoring streak from Feb. 16 to 24, scoring seven markers in that span. He’s scored at least one point in each of his four preseason contests now this year, giving him a team-lead of four goals and tied for the points lead with seven alongside Spencer Moe and Justin Nachbaur.

“Every time you get a streak going it’s nice,” Leason said. “You keep playing at the top of your game. It’s good.”

The rest of the Raiders locker room has noticed the emergence of Leason this preseason.

Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid noticed that Leason’s game speed has picked up, which will certainly fit in to the Raiders’ fast, aggressive game they want to play.

“He’s a good player, he’s a skilled player and he plays quick now. You can see he’s a big guy, he has really good hands and a good shot but now he plays with pace,” Habscheid said. “He’s on the puck, he moves his feet real well and he has a chance to be a dominant player for us.”

Zack Hayes, Raiders defenceman and newly-minted assistant captain, battles against Leason all the time in practice. He’s seen firsthand all the improvements Leason’s made to his game.

“I think he’s improved a lot over the summer,” Hayes said. “He’s going to be in more of a role this season, so I think that’s good for him to be producing like this, especially in preseason. Preseason doesn’t mean anything, but if you can produce in preseason, usually you can produce in the [regular] season.”

Like Leason, Spencer Moe also had a pair of goals on Saturday, while Justin Nachbaur had a pair of assists. Leason, Moe and Nachbaur all finished the preseason with seven points.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Brett Leason (shorthanded) from Sean Montgomery, 7:51

1-1, Blades, Emil Malysjev from Seth Bafaro (power play), 8:09

2-1, Raiders, Brett Leason from Cole Fonstad (power play), 12:43

Second Period

3-1, Raiders, Spencer Moe from Kody McDonald and Justin Nachbaur, 1:25

3-2, Blades, Aidan De La Gorgendiere from Randen Schmidt and Tristen Robins, 7:10

4-2, Raiders, Max Martin (unassisted), 8:00

5-2, Raiders, Spencer Moe from Justin Nachbaur, 14:39

Third Period

No scoring.

Goaltenders

Raiders: Donovan Buskey, 21-23

Blades: Nolan Maier, 23-28

Camping update

Four of the five Raiders that went out camping with NHL teams made their respective team’s main camps. That includes Parker Kelly with the Ottawa Senators, Brayden Pachal with the Calgary Flames, Ian Scott with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Noah Gregor with the San Jose Sharks.

The only returnee was Cole Fonstad, who returned from rookie camp the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs drafted Fonstad in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Fonstad played in his second preseason game of the year on Saturday.

Now they start counting

Saturday’s game wrapped up the Raiders’ exhibition action for the year. They finished it out with a 2-2-1 record. Both of their wins came this weekend, including their 5-2 victory over the Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre.

The Raiders will kick off the regular season with a home-and-home series against the Pats next weekend. The Raiders’ home leg will begin Friday at the Art Hauser Centre, before both sides with head to the Brandt Centre on Saturday.

Jeff.dandrea@jbpg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

by Jeff D'Andrea

Leason’s preseason finale a good one, Raiders 5 Blades 2

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