By Jeff D'Andrea

Balas and Raiders survive third period scare to beat Pats

Jan 1, 2019 | 5:54 PM

Making his first WHL career start, Brett Balas and the Prince Albert Raiders were able to overcome a late surge by the Regina Pats and beat them 5-3 on New Years’ Day at the Brandt Centre. That proves to be revenge over the Pats, who handed the Raiders their first ever loss on home ice Sunday with a 2-1 decision.

After scoring a pair of goals in a quick 1:22 span, the Pats quickly turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 Regina lead with 14:20 remaining in regulation.

“Even when we were down 3-2, we didn’t panic. We knew we just had to chip away,” Raiders assistant coach Jeff Truitt said. “Then the power play comes through for us.”

Sergei Sapego was able to get that power play marker in the third period, which just over four minutes left to give the Raiders the eventual game-winning goal.

Sergei Snipego gives the Raiders the 4-3 go-ahead goal on the power play, 4:21 left in the 3rd period. pic.twitter.com/QzTJLvYwzX

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 2, 2019

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Balas made 20 saves in the victory, which included two breakaway stops at crucial times in the game.

At first, Balas stopped Pats forward Duncan Pierce on a wide-open break in the second period to maintain the Raiders’ 1-0 advantage.

Brett Balas hasn’t been very busy, but he’s been sharp when needed. Balas stops Duncan Pierce on a shorthanded breakaway with a crazy pad save here, and has the leg strength to hold the line on the rebound. Has also been excellent at handling the puck. pic.twitter.com/JpcT8MOYHa

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 1, 2019

And in the third, Balas stoned Jadon Joseph on a partial breakaway to keep it a 1-1 game.

Brett Balas another save on a breakaway. Jadon Joseph on the partial break is robbed by Balas, who’s able to cover up. The rookie’s doing his bit in his debut start. pic.twitter.com/rhQetQyxCP

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 1, 2019

Although it was Balas’ first ever start, it’s actually his second career victory. He came in relief on Dec. 15 to beat the Swift Current Broncos 7-5. The Raiders drafted the 17-year-old Calgary netminder in the third round of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

1-0, Raiders, Parker Kelly from Sean Montgomery (shorthanded), 0:19

Pesky Parker Kelly with a nice shorthanded goal, great set up from Sean Montgomery. Raiders take a 1-0 lead 19 seconds into the second period. pic.twitter.com/ZmqQLAsaqk

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 1, 2019

1-1, Pats, Robbie Holmes from Riley Krane and Austin Pratt, 18:37

Raiders caught cheating, Pratt flips it over everybody, that leads to a 2-on-1, and Krane sends it over to Robbie Holmes to tie the game at 1-1, 1:23 left in the second period. pic.twitter.com/NSLDxytY5P

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 1, 2019

Third Period

2-1, Raiders, Cole Fonstad from Sean Montgomery and Noah Gregor (power play), 4:04

Sapego to Gregor to Montgomery to Fonstad and Cole Fonstad puts it into the net, just 9 seconds into their power play. 2-1 Raiders, pic.twitter.com/ItTz6QwQqx

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 1, 2019

2-2, Pats, Liam Schioler from Sergei Alkimov, 4:18

Just 14 seconds after that, Liam Schioler scores to tie the game up again at 2-2. Schioler also had a goal on Sunday vs PA. He has 4 career goals, 3 of them against the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/gsHT4s9MRY

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 1, 2019

3-2, Pats, Riley Krane (unassisted), 5:40

The Raiders play the puck up the boards and Riley Krane sends it on net quickly and scores. Pats score twice in 1:22 to lead 3-2 in the third period. pic.twitter.com/5KkdPp6Ikq

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 1, 2019

3-3, Raiders, Sean Montgomery from Parker Kelly and Ozzy Wiesblatt, 11:04

Snipin’ Sean Montgomery ties this game at 3-3, 11:04 into the third period. Kelly and Wiesblatt draw the assists, but that goal doesn’t happen without Kaiden Guhle holding the line and keeping the play alive. pic.twitter.com/j72NBiwuqz

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 2, 2019

4-3, Raiders, Sergei Sapego from Cole Fonstad and Noah Gregor (power play), 15:39

5-3, Raiders, Parker Kelly from Noah Gregor (empty net), 19:59

Parker Kelly scores the empty netter with 1 second left to seal this one. pic.twitter.com/rXSN4qkHYv

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 2, 2019

Home cooking never tasted so good

The Raiders will play their next five games on home ice. They’ll play the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday, the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday this weekend. Then three teams will visit next week; the Seattle Thunderbirds on Jan. 9, the Portland Winterhawks on Jan. 11 and the Calgary Hitmen on Jan. 12. All games will be at the Art Hauser Centre, with 7 p.m. puck drops.

After that, the Raiders will embark on their longest road trip of the season with their B.C. road trip , with six road games from Jan. 16-26.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW