It was a split weekend for the Raiders Jr. Hockey Club, who were handed a 9-3 loss by the Stonewall Jets on Thursday before responding with an impressive 5-1 victory Sunday afternoon over the Pembina Valley Twisters at Seven Oaks SportsPlex.
On Thursday in Stonewall, the Jets’ offence came out firing with five goals in the opening period and never eased off in a 9-3 final. Logan Ashe, Riley Kushnier and Riley Yourchenko scored for the Raiders, who continued to push throughout the night but couldn’t slow Stonewall’s attack or capitalize on special teams, finishing 0-for-2 on the power play.
Ashe recorded his ninth of the season in the first period to make it 2-1 at the time, converting passes from Brayden Laarveld and Lucas Desousa. Kushnier added his eighth of the year midway through the second, and Yourchenko scored early in the third, but Stonewall carried momentum throughout, outshooting the Raiders 42-27.
Andre Ferreira and Braeden Martell combined for 33 saves in the loss.
Raiders rebound Sunday at home
Two nights later, the Raiders returned to the ice determined — and it showed.
Backed by a stellar performance between the pipes, goaltender Owen Savoie turned away 35 of 36 shots for first star honours, backstopping the Raiders to a 5-1 win over the Pembina Valley Twisters at Seven Oaks SportsPlex.
The Raiders struck first on the power play when Owen Lourenco buried his eighth of the season at 8:50, assisted by Cole Bilous and Carter Andersson. After a scoreless second period, Pembina Valley pulled even with a power-play marker from Owen Vanrobaeys at 10:43 of the third.
Stonewall’s offence erupted from there — Ashton Henry regained the lead less than a minute later, followed by a pair from Ashe, including a power-play marker and a shorthanded goal. Brennan Feschuk later added insurance, while Banera picked up two assists and Bilous, Bruneau, Andersson and Kushnier chipped in with helpers.
The Raiders finished 2-for-5 on the power play and outscored Pembina Valley 4-1 in the third.
Raiders remain in the hunt
The weekend split moves the Raiders to 9-10-2 (18 points, .450), sitting in a tight middle section of the MMJHL standings as the season approaches the halfway mark.
Ashe now leads the team with 11 goals, while Kushnier and Lourenco continue to contribute offensively. Savoie’s .972 performance Sunday stands out as one of the club’s top goaltending outings this season.
Upcoming games
• Dec. 11 – Raiders at St. Vital Jr. Victorias – 7:30 p.m. at St. Vital Centennial Arena
• Dec. 14 – Raiders vs. Charleswood Hawks – 2 p.m. at Seven Oaks SportsPlex
