Two Solitudes

The Raiders two games last week is proof of the upper and lower echelons in the WHL's Eastern Conference.

On Wednesday night the P.A. boys dismantled Swift Current 6-1 at the Art Hauser Centre getting 11 points from the line of Jonathan Parker, Justin Maylan and Igor Revenko. That win moved the Raiders into a tie with the slumping side from speedy creek in the standings. It was a game in which the plan was executed extremely well. There was constant pressure on the young Bronco defence which paid off in two early goals and a 6-0 lead in the late stages of the second period. Goaltender Eric Williams also made great saves at key times. The Raiders did all this without an ailing Mark McNeill who was battling a bad flu bug.

On Saturday night in Saskatoon the Blades showed why they are ranked third in the CHL (all of Canadian Major Junior hockey) and are the comfortable leader of the Eastern Conference (7 points ahead of Red Deer with two games in hand). Brayden Schenn scored twice on Blades power play opportunities early in the game to set the stage. If it's possible Schenn looks even bigger in a Saskatoon uniform than he did as a Wheat King. Although Revenko scored a highlight reel goal on a Raider power play late in the first period the momentum was short lived.

Saskatoon struck for another on the man advantage early in the second on their way to five unanswered goals and a 7-2 win. The Raiders were badly outshot and out chanced. Goaltender Eric Williams actually had a very good game despite giving up seven goals. He was victimized in more ways than one. On the Blades seventh goal he was knocked out of the crease by a sliding Raider defenseman giving Darren Dietz an easy goal on a 2-on-1 situation. The Blades shut down the neutral zone once establishing the lead giving up little space and little opportunity for the Raiders to create offense. The Raiders also had difficulty all game long receiving and controlling passes and once they had to open it up, the Blades used quick transition to create odd man rushes.

The Raiders definitely were sharper and played at a higher level against Swift Current but the Blades are a team that is solid in all areas. Goalie Steven Stanford made some excellent saves on Saturday although a bad rebound resulted in Todd Fiddler's goal late in the game. Saskatoon's defence is big, strong, tough and skilled and their group of forwards were already scary before the addition of Schenn, the most valuable player at the World Junior Championships. The Raiders will not meet them again unless they clash in the playoffs.

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This coming week is a very busy one. After hosting Calgary on Tuesday, the Raiders head to Regina for a crucial clash with the Pats. The rebuilding Reginans are very much in the playoff race trailing P.A. by just two points. Then it's a home and home series with Moose Jaw Friday at the Art Hauser Centre and Saturday in the crushed can.

Friday's game comes on Wall of Honour night which will be highlighted by the official inductions of former players Peter Anholt, James Patrick, Ken Baumgartner and Mike Modano in addition to an impressive group of builders. One night later the rink will be transformed for the Raiders 40th anniversary gala which will include the auctions of several valuable items like autographed jerseys by Modano, Chris Phillips Nick Schultz and Jeremy Colliton. There are still tickets available. For information call 764-game or visit raiderhockey.com.

There are only five weeks to go in the regular season and the Raiders remain very much in the tight five way battle for the final two playoff spots in the East. Saturday's game in Moose Jaw will also mark the first of five in a row on the road. This team has been consistently inconsistent for weeks. The past two games are no exception. Removing the second element of that oxymoron would go a long way toward securing their first playoff in four seasons.

For the latest Raider information tune into 900 CKBI's faceoff Monday evening at 6 p.m.

dwilson@rawlco.com.