Two members of the Prince Albert Raiders played key roles in Team WHL’s 2-1 over Russia to start off the Canadian Hockey League’s Canada Russia Series Monday.
Brett Leason helped to set-up the game winning goal by Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Jordy Bellerive in the third period and Ian Scott made 27 saves to help his side earn the win in Kamloops, B.C.
Parker Kelly was also in the lineup for Team WHL, but did not record a point.
Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens had the other goal in the victory, while Boston Bruins draft pick Pavel Shen countered for Russia.
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Daniil Tarasov turned aside 21 shots in a losing effort.
The win did come at a price for Team WHL, however, as Moose Jaw Warriors forward Justin Almeida was injured in the first period and did not return.
The two sides will square off again Tuesday night in Vancouver, in a contest that will air on Sportsnet at 9 p.m.
Leason and Kelly will both be in the lineup, while Scott is expected to be a backup to Vancouver Giants netminder David Tendeck.
World Under-17 Challenge Update
Raiders rookie blueliner Kaiden Guhle recorded his first point at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Monday as Canada Red (1-1) picked up a 4-3 win in overtime over Sweden (1-1) in Quispamsis, N.B.
Guhle, who is the captain of the team, picked up an assist in the first period on a goal that was scored by Stephen Halliday of the USHL’s Central Illinois Flying Aces.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forward William Dufour scored the game-winning goal in overtime for Canada Red, who received a two-point outing from Evan Vierling of the Flint Firebirds.
Lucas Raymond, a top prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft, had two goals and an assist for Sweden.
Meanwhile in Saint John, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenceman Ryan O’Rourke found the back of the net in overtime to give Canada Black (1-1) a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic (0-2).
Raiders forward Ozzy Wiesblatt, who is an assistant captain for the team, did not record a point during the contest.
Windsor Spitfires forward Jean-Luc Foudy had a goal and two assists in the victory.
In other round-robin action Monday, Kootenay Ice forward Connor McClennon had three goals and two assists for Canada White (2-0) in their 5-2 win over the United States (1-1), while Valtteri Karnaranta scored the game-winning goal later in the third period as Finland (1-1) edged Russia (1-1) by a score of 2-1.
Preliminary play will conclude Tuesday with Russia facing Sweden, the United States taking on Canada Black, Finland matching up with Canada Red and the Czech Republic battling Canada White.
