Leavitt Machinery Preview – Game 1 vs. Regina
RAIDER REVIEW: It’s a new season of Prince Albert Raiders hockey as they open the 2018-19 season against the Regina Pats tonight at the Art Hauser Centre. Last season, the Raiders (32-27-9-4) finished 10 points behind the Pats (40-25-6-1) in the standings. The Raiders are coming off two wins to close out the WHL Pre-season schedule, including a 5-2 win over the Pats in Regina last weekend. Curtis Meger got the win between the pipes by making 26 saves; Justin Nachbaur had a two-goal night; and Brett Leason, Sean Montgomery, and Carson Miller rounded out the scoring.
VS. REGINA: Tonight is the first of a home-and-home series with the Pats to kick off the season. Last year, the Raiders posted a 0-4-3-1 record against Regina. Of the four regulation losses, two were decided by one goal.
2017-18 SEASON SERIES RECAP
Oct. 13/17 at PA | REG 2 PA 1 (OT) | C. Meger (31 saves), T. Brown (25 saves), J. Mahura (GWG)
Dec. 30/17 at PA | REG 2 PA 1 | T. Brown (47 saves), C. Miske (1g), J. Leschyshyn (1g)
Jan. 1/18 at REG | REG 5 PA 4 (OT) | M. Bradley (1g-2a), J. Mahura (1g-2a), B. Pachal (1g-2a)
Jan. 7/18 at REG | REG 4 PA 1 | J. Leschyshyn (2g-1a), C. Fleury (2a), P. Kelly (1a)
Jan. 17/18 at PA | REG 4 PA 3 | M. Bradley (2g), C. Miske (1g-1a), R. Nagy (2a)
Feb. 3/18 at REG | REG 5 PA 4 (OT) | S. Steel (2g-2a), C. Hebig (GWG, 1a), J. Stallard (2a)
Feb. 19/18 at PA | REG 3 PA 1 | M. Paddock (37 saves), B. Leason (1g), M. Bradley (1g-1a)
March 14/18 at REG | REG 3 PA 2 (SO) | S. Steel (1g-1a), C. Meger (33 saves), M. Paddock (31 saves)
Power play: Prince Albert – 4/40; Regina – 4/30
Leading scorer: Prince Albert – Jordy Stallard (3g-5a); Regina – Matt Bradley (4g-7a)
BACK IN THE FOLD: The Raiders received a boost to the lineup when Ian Scott and Brayden Pachal were returned to the club from their NHL camps. Scott, who was in camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs, posted a career-high 24 wins last season. Pachal, who was with the Calgary Flames, finished last season with seven goals and 19 assists and was named the team’s captain prior to training camp.
PRE-SEASON PERFORMERS: Brett Leason, Spencer Moe, and Justin Nachbaur led the way offensively for the Raiders during the exhibition schedule. All three players put up seven points. Leason paced the club with four goals in four games; Moe and Nachbaur each suited up in five games and tied for the team lead with four assists.
NEW EXPERIENCE: The Raiders have just two players on the roster who have yet to suit up in a WHL regular season game: Jakob Brook and Aliaksei Protas.
NEXT UP: The Raiders finish off the home-and-home series against the Pats in Regina at the Brandt Centre on Saturday night. Fans can watch the game at the Rock And Iron Sports Bar, the official watch party of road games for the Raiders. The next Raiders’ home game is on Friday, September 28 against the Medicine Hat Tigers. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
