Raiders drop to Blazers

Times Reporter   

 

During the first game of their season, the Rockyview Raiders of the Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League lost to the CNHA Blazers by a score to 3-1 on Oct. 5. For their rematch on Nov. 26, the Raiders had a similar outcome –  the Blazers won 6-2 at the Max Bell Centre in Calgary, starting with strong play in the first period.

“They did everything better than we did,” said Doug Thurston, Raiders’ head coach. “I hate to be blunt but that might have been our worst game of the season. I think we have a little tournament hangover.”

The Raiders finished with silver at the Nov. 15-17 Prospect Cup Tournament in Chestermere.

“They were pretty happy with the way they played in the tournament, and then they’ve come out with two stinkers in a row,” Thurston said. “It’s us not being ready to play hard.”

The Red Deer Aero Equipment Chiefs shut out Rockyview 3-0 on Nov. 23.

“Most of it has been lack of effort, physically and mentally, as far as just getting down the ice and finishing checks — that hasn’t been there. When it came to systems and plays, they haven’t been doing that very well either,” Thurston said.

The Raiders had two game misconducts against the Blazers: Cooper Krauss, and Siksika-born Trygve Many Guns near the end of the third period. Many Guns is tied for team lead with nine points in 13 games with Nash Hartford.

“Unfortunately the referees dictate how the game goes,” Thurston said. “The officiating in our league is very up and down.” 

Thurston mentioned that the squad works on special teams quite frequently in practice; five of the team’s 35 goals have come on the man advantage, but more work needs to be done on the defensive end.

“Unfortunately we’re losing that battle so far this year. If we want to win hockey games, we have to stay out of the penalty box,” Thurston said. “(On Nov. 26) we took way too many unnecessary penalties.”

Strathmore’s Kody Hammond scored a powerplay goal in the third for Rockyview, but it was too late in the matchup to gain momentum. Hammond has a team-leading six goals.

“Kody was not as bad as some of them, but not as good as he can play. There’s no doubt that sometimes that is dictated by the people around you, too,” Thurston said. “It’s hard to be an eagle when you’re working with turkeys.”

The Rockyview Raiders are 12th in the South Division with a 3-8-2 record.