RAIDERS CLIP HAWKS’ WINGS, WIN 6 – 0

Posted on April 1, 2017 by admin

This is my fourth attempt at getting this game update done. Each and every previous time, the game summary and language used would have been probably been considered a little harsh and a tad on the critical side, so I have dialed it down a notch. In fact I will not even make a comment. I apologize to the folks that could not make the trek to the Ice Plex and usually get their game information from this summary but to the fans that were there, I know you understand why sometimes no comment is the best comment.

Raiders scored 2 goals in the opening period, added 3 more in the second and for good measure, scored on a PP in the third to ensure the 6 – 0 victory but even more importantly, a 3 – 1 series lead.

The Hawk tandem of starter Ryan Hall and reliever Ben Thorlakson combined to make 29 saves on 35 Raider shots. Their counterpart, Ryan Brown made 25 stops in the Raider net to preserve the shutout. Once again the specialty teams played a role in the outcome of this one. Hawks not only went 0 for 4 on their PP opportunities but yielded a shorty. The Raiders scored on their only odd man advantage.

Game # 5 of the series continues on Sunday, April 2nd at the Eric Coy Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. Let’s fill the “old” Coy and cheer on our Hawks to victory! See you Sunday night.

 

Posted on March 31, 2017 by admin

Above: Flag Bearer Mark Maskiw of the 7/8 Roblin Park Raiders

It was anticipated that game # 3 could very well be the best game of the series and both the Hawks and Raiders delivered on that prophecy. Just like the two previous encounters, this game had it all. There were plenty of quality scoring opportunities and narrow misses for both teams, there were big saves, slick plays and crunching body checks. This series definitely has brought out the best in both teams. There is little doubt this is playoff hockey.

Your Hawks would open the scoring early in this one. Only 1 minute and 36 seconds had ticked off the clock before Nolan Sekundiak would give the Hawks an early advantage with an assist going to Shane Kustra-Nelson. Six minutes later, the Raiders would respond and the teams would vacate the slippery surface knotted at one. Another quick start, this time with only 1 minute and 28 seconds played, Dylan Zeke would put his teammates up a goal with help from Shawn Pachet and Zach Heisinger. That would be the only goal of the second frame. With a little less than 4 minutes to play in the third, Captain Mike Lorange would give the Hawks some breathing room with an assist being credited to Shane Kustra-Nelson, his second of the game. These no quit Raiders would pot one with only 14 seconds remaining to make things a little discomforting but that would be all the scoring done on this night. Make the Final, Hawks 3 – Raiders 2. Raiders lead the series 2 games to 1.

Raiders would out shoot the Hawks by a 42 – 32 margin. Ryan Hall would stop 40 of those Raider shots to record the “W”. His counterpart, Ryan Brown, would stop 29 Hawk drives and would be charged with his first loss of these playoffs. Specialty teams in this one were dead even. Both the Hawks and Raiders were afforded 4 PP’s each and neither team could take advantage of their odd man advantages.

Game # 4 of this series is scheduled for Friday, March 31 at the Seven Oaks Ice Plex. Game time is 7:30 P.M. If the first three games are any indication, you surely do not want to be missing this one. See you Friday!!!

RAIDERS CLIP HAWKS 2 – 1 IN OT

Posted on March 26, 2017 by admin

In what has to be the largest crowd of the season for an MMJHL game, definitely received their moneys’ worth. With the exception of the early portion of the first period, this one was pretty much back and forth all game long. This one had it all, great saves, good plays and hard hits. This series is living up to what most people thought it was going to be. With the OT win, the Raiders now lead the series 2 games to nil.

The opening period was scoreless with both teams having some good opportunities to light the lamp first. The Raiders would connect early in the second to give the game its’ first goal. Late in the same period, Dylan Zeke with an assist from Reg Bowles would knot this affair up at one and send the teams to the second intermission all even. The third period would resolve nothing, thanks to the efforts of both tenders. This one would require some extra time but it wouldn’t last long. A shot from the side boards would deflect off two sets of legs stationed in front of the goal and would end up in the back of the Hawks net, capping off a Raider victory.

The referee let the players decide this one. Each team were assessed only 2 odd man advantages and neither one could capitalize. Ryan Hall was tagged with the loss despite having turned aside 32 of the 34 Raider shots directed his way. Ryan Brown continued his playoff winning ways in the Raider net recording 20 saves.

Game # 3 goes Tuesday, March 28 at the Eric Coy Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. You don’t dare want to miss this one, hope to see you out!