The Raiders Jr. Hockey Club held steady in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League standings after earning a split decision last week.
The Raiders played two one-goal games on the road and at home, defeating the St. Vital Jr. Victorias before falling to the Charleswood Hawks, finishing the week with two of a possible four points.
Thursday’s 4-3 road win over St. Vital required a full 60-minute effort, with both teams trading momentum throughout the contest.
Owen Lourenco opened the scoring for the Raiders, but the Victorias responded with two straight goals to take the lead. Riley Kushnier brought the Raiders back even with a power-play marker in the second period, and Lucas Desousa followed up by scoring the go-ahead goal for the visitors.
Ashton Henry extended the Raiders’ lead to 4-2 early in the third, but St. Vital pushed back with a late goal to make it a one-goal game. The Raiders held on through the final minutes to secure the victory.
Braeden Martell made 34 saves to earn the win in goal, while St. Vital netminder Mason Tabak faced heavy pressure, stopping 44 shots in the loss.
The victory marked the Raiders’ ninth of the season.
The club returned home Sunday but came up short in a 5-4 loss to the Charleswood Hawks. After Lourenco scored to tie the game 1-1 in the first period, Charleswood responded with three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead.
Kushnier cut into the deficit late in the second, making it 4-2 heading into the third. The teams traded goals in the final frame, with Lourenco scoring his second of the night for the Raiders.
Carter Andersson pulled the Raiders within one with just over two minutes remaining, but Charleswood held on for the win. Marc Samyn turned aside 28 shots for the Hawks, while Raiders goaltender Owen Savoie finished with 18 saves.
The Raiders now hold a 9-11-2 record, placing them seventh in the 10-team MMJHL. They will wrap up the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule with three games over the coming week.
Upcoming games:
Friday, Dec. 19 vs. Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins, 7:30 p.m., Seven Oaks Sportsplex
Sunday, Dec. 21 vs. River East Royal Knights, 2 p.m., Seven Oaks Sportsplex
Tuesday, Dec. 23 at St. James Jr. Canucks, 7:30 p.m., AB McDonald Arena
