Raiders to Sutter Cup

Times Reporter   

 

Previously 13 in the division standings a few months ago, the Rockyview Raiders have qualified for the Sutter Cup, finishing seventh in the South Division. The Raiders tied both CRAA Blue and the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Mar. 1 and 2 respectively, to earn their spot in the post season.

“I thought the boys played great. We just needed one win this weekend to clinch a spot. Two ties worked out the same way,” Raiders coach Doug Thurston said. “I thought we outplayed both teams actually.”

On March 1 against CRAA, Markus Lavallee had the lone goal in the 1-1 tie, with assists coming from Strathmore product Kody Hammond, and Siksika’s Trygve Many Guns. The next night, the Hurricanes opened the scoring with two markers, but Many Guns scored midway through the third. Nash Hartford tied the game with 36 seconds remaining. The Raiders put 40 shots on net, and Lavallee assisted on both goals.

“I think Markus has had better weekends in terms of his play,” Thurston said. “He came through at the right time though. It was a total team effort. Markus was really good, a lot of guys were really good. I’m just really happy for all these guys.”

At the end of the regular season, the Raiders earned a 14-18-5 record, for 33 points. Eighth place, the Red Deer Northstar Chiefs, were only one point behind.

“I’m really proud of the guys for sucking it up and playing hard right until the end. It was a huge accomplishment for this group of guys,” Thurston said.

For the Sutter Cup round robin, the eight teams to qualify will be divided into two pools. The Raiders, as the seventh seed, will play second, third and fifth: CRAA Gold, CBHA Blackhawks, and CRAA Blue. The other pool will find the best of first, fourth, sixth and eighth; the best two of the separate pools will face each other.

Though CRAA Gold are seeded highest in the Raiders’ pool, Rockyview have the best record against them out of who they’ll face in playoff round robin: Gold won in their matchup on Nov. 2 by a score of 3-1, but Rockyview won two in a row on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, by scores of 5-1 and 4-3. Against the Blackhawks and Blue, the Raiders have tied one and lost one for both.

“We had a game plan and it worked,” Thurston said regarding CRAA Gold. “We still have that advantage because we have that edge on them.”