The Raiders Jr. Hockey Club earned a split in Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League action last week, falling 5-2 to the Stonewall Jets before rebounding with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Pembina Valley Twisters.
Raiders forwards battle for possession in front of the Stonewall net during Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League action last week, while goaltender Owen Savoie makes a key save in tight coverage as the Jets press the attack
Stonewall controlled the pace early in Tuesday’s matchup at the Veterans Memorial Sports Complex, scoring twice in the opening period. Cohen Cheung opened the scoring at 8:29 and captain Karson King added another late in the frame, with Peyton Bateman assisting on both goals.
The Raiders responded in the second period on a power play when Noah Banera converted a pass from Logan Bruneau and Mason Laarveld at 4:23. Grayson Neville tied the game midway through the period, finishing a setup from Cole Kennedy and Zach Einarson.
The Jets quickly regained momentum, however, as Dylan Vitelli restored the lead late in the second before Austin Lourenco and Dean Saunders added third-period goals — Saunders sealing the contest into an empty net.
Stonewall outshot the Raiders 40-31. Goaltender Owen Savoie turned aside 35 shots in the loss while Spencer Hunnam made 29 saves for the Jets.
The Raiders bounced back Friday in Morris with a tightly contested game against the Twisters.
After a scoreless first period, Pembina Valley struck first on a power play early in the second. Cole Kennedy answered midway through the period off a feed from Einarson and Riley Kushnier.
Kushnier then gave the Raiders their first lead at 9:46 of the third period, again assisted by Einarson. The Twisters tied the game late to force overtime, but neither team solved the goaltenders in extra time.
In the shootout, Zach Einarson and Kushnier scored while Savoie stopped three of five shooters to secure the win. Savoie finished with 35 saves on 37 shots for a .946 save percentage.
With the split, the Raiders sit eighth in the MMJHL standings with 29 points in 37 games.
They continue their schedule with road games Feb. 19 against the St. Vital Jr. Victorias and Feb. 20 against the Charleswood Hawks before returning home Feb. 22 to face the Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins.
