Raiders allow most shots against since 1995 in loss to Regina
The start of 2017 wasn’t so forgiving to the Prince Albert Raiders who traveled to Regina today to take on the Pats. Nicholas Sanders did what he could to keep the Raiders tight throughout the contest, but as it’s been the case with many WHL teams this season against Regina, the difficulty to contain their high-powered offence was more than notable.
Sanders faced a season high 72 shots against, stopping 65 of them, including a highlight reel glove save on Adam Brooks in the slot, his 37th of the game. The healthy workload from Sanders broke a previous Prince Albert record of 65 shots allowed during the 1995 campaign when they took on the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Cavin Leth and Tim Vanstone were the goal scorers for Prince Albert in the 7-2 loss, the former putting away a blue line shot from Loch Morrison that pin-balled off a couple of bodies before entering the cage; the latter capitalizing on a mistake from rookie goaltender Max Paddock — who made his WHL debut today — picking up a misplayed puck behind the net before backhanding in his sixth.
Paddock ended the night with 30 saves, earning his first career WHL win.
On the other side of the boards, Austin Wagner took home another multi-point game against the Raiders, tallying two goals and an assist, including a breakaway snipe on Sanders late in the second period. Nick Henry found the back of the net for the second time in the home-and-home series, benefiting from a Dawson Leedahl no-look feed on the power play. Adam Brooks, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, added insult to injury with a three-point night of his own, notching a goal and two assists while extending his streak to five games. He’s recorded 15 points during that stretch.
In the last three games between these two, the Pats have outscored the green and gold 26-4.
Prince Albert (8-29-1-1) now has a chance to get back into the win column on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at the Art Hauser Centre for an inter-division clash with the (21-9-6-1) Warriors. Moose Jaw holds the season series lead 4-1.
Shots start flying at 7 p.m.
Daily Herald THREE STARS
- Austin Wagner (2 G, 1 A, +3)
- Adam Brooks (1 G, 2 A, +3)
- Nicholas Sanders (65 SVs)
GOAL SUMMARY
First period
[REG] Austin Wagner (17) – Lane Zablocki, Jonathan Smart
[REG] Riley Woods (6) – Jake Leschyshyn, Rykr Cole
Second period
[PA] Cavin Leth (10) – Loch Morrison, Cody Paivarinta (5:10)
[REG] Nick Henry (18) – Dawson Leedahl, Adam Brooks (PP) (10:14)
[REG] Austin Wagner (18) – Adam Brooks (19:09)
Third period
[REG] Adam Brooks (21) – Austin Wagner, Lane Zablocki (0:55)
[PA] Tim Vanstone (6) – unassisted (10:12)
[REG] Bryan Lockner (1) – Braydon Buziak, Robbie Holmes (12:48)
[REG] Braydon Buziak (6) – Bryan Lockner, Chase Harrison (19:55)
