Leavitt Machinery Preview – Game 39 vs. Moose Jaw
RAIDER REVIEW: The Raiders (34-3-0-1) open a five-game homestand tonight when the Moose Jaw Warriors (20-8-5-1) visit the Art Hauser Centre. On Tuesday, the Raiders opened 2019 with a 5-3 win over the Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre. Noah Gregor (3a), Parker Kelly (2g-1a), and Sean Montgomery (1g-2a) all had three-point nights. Cole Fonstad also had a multi-point night with a goal and an assist. Sergei Sapego scored the Raiders’ the game-winning goal on a late third-period power play. Brett Balas made his first career WHL start and stopped 20 shots for the win.
VS. MOOSE JAW: This is the third meeting of the year between the Raiders and the Warriors and first at the Art Hauser Centre. The Raiders posted a 2-2 record against Moose Jaw last season in Prince Albert.
2018-19 SEASON SERIES AT A GLANCE
Sept. 29/18 at MJ | PA 5 MJ 4 (OT) | P. Kelly (2g-1a), B. Tracey (2g-1a), B. Leason (1g-1a)
Oct. 24/18 at MJ | PA 4 MJ 2 | C. Miller (2g-1a), C. Fonstad (2a), Ke. Taphorn (1g)
Jan. 4/19 at PA
Feb. 2/19 at PA
Feb. 18/19 at PA
March 2/19 at MJ
Power play: Prince Albert – 1/4; Moose Jaw – 0/4
Leading scorer: Prince Albert – Three players tied (3pts); Moose Jaw – Three players tied (3pts)
ROSTER MOVES: The Raiders acquired overage forward Dante Hannoun from the Victoria Royals and a pair of draft picks in 2019 in exchange for overage forward Kody McDonald, 2000-born forward Carson Miller, and a 2020 WHL Bantam Draft pick. Hannoun scored 19 goals and added 17 assists in 28 games for the Royals this season.
POWERING UP: Cole Fonstad and Sergei Sapego netted power-play goals in Tuesday’s win over the Regina Pats. It was the ninth time this season the Raiders scored multiple goals with the man advantage and third time in the last seven games. This season, the Raiders are eighth in the league with a 23.2% conversion rate on the power play.
SHORTHANDED STATS: Parker Kelly’s shorthanded goal on Tuesday night was the third of the of the season for the Ottawa Senators prospects and ninth of his WHL career. The Camrose, AB product moved into a seven-way tie for second in the league for shorthanded goals this season along with Noah Gregor and Sean Montgomery. Brett Leason leads the WHL with five shorthanded markers this season.
WORLD JUNIORS WATCH: Brett Leason and Ian Scott’s run at the 2019 World Junior Championship came to an end on Wednesday night with a 2-1 overtime loss to Finland in the quarter-finals. Leason finished the tournament with three goals and two assists in five games. Scott won his lone start of the tournament, making 15 saves to beat Switzerland.
NEXT UP: The Raiders continue their homestand on Saturday night when Saskatoon Blades (23-11-5-0) make the trip to Prince Albert. Puck drop is 7 p.m. Tickets are available at raiderhockey.com and the Raider Office.