The Raiders sit eighth in the MMJHL standings at 12-18-2. They return to the ice on January 30
The Raiders Jr. Hockey Club came away empty-handed from a two-game Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League road swing, falling 4-3 to the Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins on Friday before a 3-1 loss to the River East Royal Knights on Sunday.
On Friday night at Century Arena, the Raiders erased an early two-goal deficit and battled back within one but were unable to complete the comeback.
Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge opened the scoring with goals from Rex Scott and David Balshaw before Jack Derrett got the Raiders on the board late in the first period, scoring with four seconds remaining to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Twins restored their two-goal cushion in the second period with power-play marker from Caden Headland and an even-strength goal by Daniel Hamill. The Raiders responded again in the final seconds of the frame, as Ashton Henry scored with one second left to make it 4-2.
Zach Einarson pulled the Raiders within one midway through the third period, but the tying goal proved elusive despite a push in the closing minutes.
Owen Savoie made 24 saves in the loss as the Raiders were outshot 28-21. The Twins finished 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Raiders went 0-for-1.
Two days later at Seven Oaks SportsPlex, the Raiders were limited to a single goal as River East extended its winning streak to four games.
Kalen Reynolds opened the scoring on the power play early in the first period for the Royal Knights. After a scoreless middle frame for River East, Henry tied the game late in the second period, finishing a play set up by Carter Andersson and Riley Kushnier.
The tie did not last long. Layne Richardson scored early in the third period to put River East back in front, and Branden Watson added an empty-net goal in the final minute to seal the win.
Savoie stopped 24 of 26 shots in the loss, while River East goaltender Kyle Beilman turned aside 23 shots. The Raiders went 0-for-2 on the power play.
With the losses, the Raiders sit eighth in the MMJHL standings at 12-18-2. They return to action Friday, Jan. 30, when they visit the St. James Jr. Canucks for a 7:30 p.m. start.
