Scott Blanks ICE in Return to Lineup
February 22, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Prince Albert, SK - Ian Scott made 21 saves for the shutout in his return to the lineup as the Prince Albert Raiders (48-8-1-2) downed the Kootenay ICE (11-38-7-2) 4-0 on Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre.
It was Scott's fifth clean sheet of the season and first since Nov. 17.
Sean Montgomery had a pair of goals in the win. Brett Leason, who also returned on Friday night, had three assists.
The Raiders got the game's first goal 7:59 into the contest. Brayden Pachal stepped off the point, toe dragged to get a lane, and fired a shot past ICE goaltender Curtis Meger for his 14th of the season.
Montgomery's first of the game made it 2-0. The overager from Calgary streaked down the right wing and beat Meger off the far post and in for his 25th of the year with 7:42 to play in the opening frame.
Early in the second, the Raiders looked to make it 3-0. Leason and Parker Kelly entered the zone on a two-on-one. Leason dished to Kelly, who had his one-timer stolen by Meger's glove. After the whistle, Kelly skated to Meger and acknowledged the great save.
Shortly after, the Raiders actually extended the lead. Noah Gregor stripped Davis Murray of the puck in the offensive zone. The San Jose Sharks prospect turned, found Ozzy Wiesblatt at the side of the goal and the rookie from Calgary buried his 14th of the season.
The lead held until the 6:51 mark of the third. While shorthanded, Leason forced a turnover in the neutral zone. He drew the defence down, made a saucer pass to Montgomery who finished for his 26th of the year and fourth shorthanded goal of the season to wrap up the scoring.
In his return to Prince Albert, Meger stopped 26 shots in a losing effort.
Saturday night's game also marked Raiders Head Coach Marc Habscheid's 1,000th game as a bench boss in the WHL.
The Raiders are back in action on Saturday night when the Brandon Wheat Kings (29-22-3-4) head to the Art Hauser Centre to wrap up the six-game season series. Puck drop is 7 p.m. Tickets are available at raiderhockey.com and the Art Hauser Centre box office, which opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2019
- Wheat Kings Cruise to 6-2 Win over Blades - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Tigers Fall 6-3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Scott Blanks ICE in Return to Lineup - Prince Albert Raiders
- Pats Hold off Hitmen in OT - Regina Pats
- Hitmen Rally Earns Point in OT Loss - Calgary Hitmen
- 2019 #WHLPlayoffs Clinching Scenarios - February 22 - Saskatoon Blades
- ICE Hosting RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation Game on March 1 - Kootenay Ice
- Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland at Tri-City - Game #59 - Portland Winterhawks
- Game 59 at Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Preview: Streaking Blades Look to Seize Playoff Berth - Saskatoon Blades
- ICE Begin 3-In-3 against Top-Ranked Raiders - Kootenay Ice
- Wheat Kings Host Red Hot Blades Friday - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, February 22 at Regina - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Back in Action Friday Night at Home to the Calgary Hitmen - Regina Pats
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