Raiders look to keep their refound game against top rivals

In fact, a lot of players were forced out of the lineup after that March 29 game against the Raiders. Wouters had a three-game suspension, Rhett Rhinehart received a two-game suspension for his check late in the game, and Tanner Molendyk missed three games to injury.

For the Raiders, Evan Herman has missed the last four games after getting tangled up at the blueline in the first period of the March 29 game. Wiesblatt returned just one game after his injury scare.

I want to be a Nacho man

Raiders forward Justin Nachbaur is playing some of the best hockey of his career, as he has three goals and four points in his last two games. He scored both goals in the Raiders’ 3-2 defeat to the Wheat Kings, and had a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist and fight) all in the first period of the Raiders’ 4-2 win over the Swift Current Broncos.

Blades goaltender Nolan Maier has certainly shown up against the Raiders this season. Keith Hershmiller/WHL

Oscar Maier

Like he has for most of his WHL career, Nolan Maier has played his best hockey against the Raiders. Maier is a huge reason the Blades won both of their previous games against the Raiders, a 4-1 victory on March 19 and a 3-0 victory on March 29. Maier is 2-0 in games against his biggest rivals, with a 0.50 goals against average, .976 save percentage and a shutout. Those are way above his regular-season numbers of 2.22 goals against average and .908 save percentage.

Injury list

The Raiders are no longer in danger from having a lack of players after the additions of defenceman Terrell Goldsmith, forward Dallyn Peekeekoot, and goaltender Max Hildebrand. Ozzy Wiesblatt and Spencer Moe have also returned to the lineup in the last three games (Moe back for the last four) to regain some scoring punch up front.

But the Raiders have still been missing two important pieces in captain Kaiden Guhle, who remains out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, and Herman, who is still listed as day-to-day on the Raiders’ injury list.

Earlier start to the game

Tonight’s game was rescheduled to 6 p.m., so be sure to tune in then to listen to the dulcet tones of Trevor Redden, the voice of the Raiders on CKBI.

–

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

by Jeff D’Andrea

Raiders look to keep their refound game against top rivals

What's Trending