While the first period may not have played out to the coaching staff’s expectations, the St. Albert Raiders still found a way to find a spot in the win column with a comeback 5-3 victory over the visiting Lloydminster Bobcats.
Only 10 minutes into Saturday’s game the Raiders faced a daunting deficit, which led to the team’s decision to replace starting goaltender Wyatt Hoflin (3-0, 2.50 GAA) in favour of Tanner Kovacs (3-1-1, 1.00 GAA).
The first goal found the back of the net a minute after puck drop.
“We were disappointed giving those two goals that quick but it could have gone two ways,” said coach Geoff Giacobbo. “At that point we were playing aggressive, made the goaltender change, then bounced back from it.”
Shane Brolly believes the entire team was at fault for the early deficit.
“They came out hitting for sure. I don’t know if we weren’t prepared or what. After that we started using our bodies and putting more pucks on net,” said the Raiders forward.
The second of period of play saw the Raiders move ahead on the scoreboard with a pair of goals by Brolly. He would also add one in the third, which would give him the crowd pleasing hat trick.
“It was good. I got some nice passes and feeds and the pucks went into the net,” said Brolly.
Coming into the game off the bench, Kovacs was pleased with the effort he displayed between the pipes after a layoff from regular season play.
“It’s nice to get back after being away for awhile,” said Kovacs. “It was nice to contribute to the team and walk away with the two points.”
Although his team had a rough beginning against the Bobcats (3-5), Giacobbo believes the play displayed by the Raiders was the effort he would like to see on a daily basis.
“I liked the way we played. I thought we did a good job adapting to some aggressive play on their parts,” he said.
With the win the Raiders lead the north division with a record of 6-1-1 and are tied with the east division Calgary Buffaloes for first overall in the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League.
Winners of four straight, the Raiders play the Canadian Athletic Club (2-5-1) Saturday at 12:45 p.m. at Grant Fuhr Arena in Spruce Grove. Sunday they host the Grande Prairie Storm (0-7-1) at 2:30 p.m. at Akinsdale Arena.
ICE CHIPS: Jayden Hart is among the league leaders in points with 15, on six goals and nine assists in eight games. Rounding out the Raiders’ top scorers are Brolly (6-5-11), Carson Samoridny (4-4-8), Luke Mahura (2-6-8), Carter Proft (6-1-7) and Joel Harnden (2-5-7).
The Raiders lead the league in goals-against with 14 (Kovacs and Hoflin both have shutouts) and are tied for second in goals scored at 39.
