Raiders prevail in battle of MMJHL’s best

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/01/2012 (5379 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The second-place Raiders Jr. Hockey Club took a 4-2 decision over the league-leading Charleswood Hawks at Eric Coy Arena on Jan. 3 in the first MMJHL game following the Christmas break. The Hawks had 41 points before the two-week layoff and led the Raiders by five.

The teams traded first-period goals with Brody Warren opening the scoring for the Hawks and captain and league scoring leader Cam Hildebrand answering for the Raiders. The visitors took over the play in the second period and went up 3-1 on a pair of goals by Ryan Seekings. The first was shorthanded when he blocked a shot at the point and got a clear breakaway.

Logan Greenfield, on a third-period power play, scored the fourth Raider goal. Late in the period Sean Kubas scored an unassisted marker for Charleswood.  

The Raiders closed out 2011 with a 3-2 win over the River East Royal Knights while the Hawks dropped a 4-1 decision to the Pembina Valley Twisters. Both coaches were wondering what to expect when play resumed, and who had eaten the most turkey.

Raider mentor Andy Williamson, who formerly coached Charleswood, said, “It’s a wild card when you are coming out of the break.”

He was pleased with his team’s effort.  “We’re still in second place but when you play the top team it brings out the best in your players,” he added.

The Raiders were assessed seven minor penalties while Charleswood served four plus a five-minute major and game misconduct to Mike Peroff for boarding.

Mike Lorange was brought up as an affiliated player from Kelvin High School by the Hawks to join his older brother Matthew and didn’t look out of place. The pair played against each other last season when Matthew was with St. Paul’s High School. Mike was a high WHL draft choice after his Winnipeg Monarchs won the 2010 Western Canada Bantam AAA championship, but he chose to play for Kelvin.

Charleswood got back in the win column two nights later with a 5-2 victory over the third-place St. Vital Victorias. Jesse Toth scored twice for the winners. Jack Josephson, captain Dillon Smith and U of M Bisons running back Nic Demski added singles. Brett Dudar and J.J. Kubicek replied for St. Vital. Toth’s two goals put him just one point behind Hildebrand in the scoring race.

The top two teams don’t meet again until Feb. 3, when the Hawks travel to the North End for a match-up at the Billy Mosienko Arena. The annual MMJHL all-star game is slated for Feb. 4 at Mosienko.