Game Preview – Game 45 at Red Deer
RAIDER REVIEW: The Raiders (23-14-5-2) close out the season series with the Rebels (14-23-2-3) in Red Deer tonight at the Westerner Park Centrium. Last night in Edmonton, the Raiders came back to beat the Oil Kings 2-1 in overtime at Rogers Place. Ozzy Wiesblatt scored both of the Raiders’ goals on the night. Max Paddock stopped 27 shots to earn his second win in three games as a Raider.
| 2019-20 SEASON SERIES vs. RED DEER | |
| Nov. 9/19 at PA | 3-2 L | Nov. 20/19 at RD | 7-1 W |
| Jan. 7/20 at PA | 6-5 OTL | Jan. 18/20 at RD |
| Leader: Six players (4pts) | Leader: Two players (5pts) |
| PA PP: 3/11 (27.3%) | RD PP: 2/12 (16.7%) |
| TEAM LEADERS |
| Goals — Aliaksei Protas (22) |
| Assists — Aliaksei Protas (33) |
| Points — Aliaksei Protas (55) |
| Power-Play Goals — Ozzy Wiesblatt (7) |
| Shorthanded Goals — Aliaksei Protas (2) |
| Game-Winning Goals — Aliaksei Protas (5) |
| Plus/Minus — Aliaksei Protas (+30) |
| Wins — Max Paddock (12) |
| Goals-Against Average — Carter Serhyenko (2.31) |
POWERING UP: With his power-play goal in the third period of Friday’s game against the Oil Kings, Ozzy Wiesblatt took over the team lead for markers with the man advantage. The 2020 NHL Draft prospect now has seven power-play goals this season and 12 in his career. He joins Brayden Watts for tops on the team for career power-play goals.
STREAKING: With his two goals on Friday night, Wiesblatt also extended his point streak to five games. His streak is the longest active stretch on the team. Over the past five games, the Calgary, AB product has three goals and four assists. Wiesblatt is second in team scoring with 48 points.
#WHL PA/EDM: 2 goals from Ozzy Wiesblatt, one with 4:30 to go in regulation and one 1:07 into overtime leads @PARaidersHockey to a victory in their fourth straight foray into extra time. 2nd time this season Wiesblatt has scored twice in Edmonton. 2 GWGs this year, both in OT.
— Geoffrey Brandow (@GeoffreyBrandow) January 18, 2020
STARTING STRONG: Max Paddock has made an immediate impact between the pipes since being acquired from the Regina Pats. In his three starts with the Raiders, the Brandon, MB product has posted a 1.27 goals-against average and a 0.953 save percentage while picking up two wins.
CENTURY MARK: Aliaksei Protas is set to play in his 100th career WHL game. The Washington Capitals prospect has 33 goals and 62 assists in his career. Protas is sixth in the WHL scoring race with 55 points (22 goals, 33 assists).
COMING BACK: The Raiders won just their second game of the season when they were trailing after two periods on Friday night. This season, the Raiders have a 2-9-0-1 when being behind after 40 minutes.
| LAST FIVE | NEXT FIVE |
| 5-3 W at WPG, Jan. 5/20 | Jan. 24 vs. Edmonton |
| 6-5 OTL vs. RD, Jan. 7/20 | Jan. 25 vs. Medicine Hat |
| 2-1 OTW vs. PG, Jan. 10/20 | Jan. 29 vs. Victoria |
| 3-2 SOL vs. EDM, Jan. 11/20 | Jan. 31 vs. Lethbridge |
| 2-1 OTW at EDM, Jan. 17/20 | Feb. 1 at Swift Current |
NEXT UP: The Raiders return to the Art Hauser Centre for two games next weekend. On Friday, the Edmonton Oil Kings visit Prince Albert. The Medicine Hat Tigers come to town the following night. Both games begin at 7 p.m. Tickets for both games are available online here.
