The Raiders fell to the Winnipeg ICE 4-3 in overtime on Saturday. Keith Hershmiller/WHL
Raiders vs ICE

‘We have to start finding ways to win here’

Apr 10, 2021 | 7:09 PM

When Prince Albert Raiders forward Evan Herman took media questions over Zoom, he was talking about the Raiders’ 4-3 overtime defeat to the Winnipeg ICE (11-4), but he may as well have been talking about most of the Raiders’ (4-8-2-1) season.

Like most games this season for the Raiders, they had their lapses and breakdowns as they surrendered three straight goals to fall behind 3-1. But like they have so often this season and especially lately, the Raiders storming back a pair of their own to make it 3-3 and force overtime, before Conor Geekie ended it with a highlight-reel effort.

“We played good, I thought. We played 60 minutes but this one went a little more than 60. We have to learn how to play a full game. We have to start finding ways to win here,” Herman said. “Obviously, losing isn’t much fun, we want to win every night.”

For Herman, it was his second game back after a four-game absence due to injury. He scored the 3-3 goal as he flew up the ice and received a perfect stretch pass from defenceman Remy Aquilon.

“I felt good. I trusted Puffer [athletic therapist Duane Bartley] to get me back to 100 per cent, Herman said. “I felt good, but it would have felt better to win.”

Herman’s goal was one of two assists Aquilon had on the night. Although he was proud of the fight back from the Raiders, Aquilon still wants to see more from his team.

“The game slowed down and we got a burst of energy there in the second after those two goals. It’s [unfortunate] about the outcome, but I mean, we got a game tomorrow to get it back here. We’ll get back to that tomorrow,” Aquilon said.

Aquilon wants to see the Raiders break out of their own zone a little cleaner, with simple plays, to start more attacks and reduce turnovers.

“Just easy in the D-zone and not be too fancy. Once we get down there, get out as quickly as you can with small, easy passes,” Aquilon said. “The other one is capitalizing. We had a couple games there where we didn’t score a lot, but I think we’ve done a better job at that. If we can keep scoring and get out of the D-zone quick and doing the small things, then we’re going to find success.

The Raiders’ power play has had its struggles this year, but it’s been clicking as of late. The Raiders have scored at least one power play goal in each of their last four games, scoring twice in three of those including Saturday’s game against the ICE. The Raiders were 2/3 with the man-advantage, with Dallyn Peekeekoot and Herman scoring.

For Peekeekoot, that’s his third straight game scoring a goal, giving him three goals and five points in that span.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Dallyn Peekeekoot from Ozzy Wiesblatt and Reece Vitelli (power play), 7:16

1-1, ICE, Zach Benson from Michael Milne and Conor Geekie, 10:07

2-1, ICE, James Form from Owen Pederson and Skyler Bruce, 14:51

Second Period

3-1, ICE, Peyton Krebs from Owen Pederson and Connor McClennon, 3:54

3-2, Raiders, Michael Horon from Remy Aquilon, 4:46

3-3, Raiders, Evan Herman from Remy Aquilon (power play), 8:04

Third Period

No scoring.

Overtime

4-3, ICE, Conor Geekie from Zach Benson, 2:13

Up next

The Raiders will take on the Swift Current Broncos at 4 p.m. on Sunday for their next game.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

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