Your Raiders were in action last Friday and Saturday night. Missed the games? Let’s get you up to speed!
Friday, Jan. 19, the Raiders travelled to Oakville for a battle with the Blades. As I noted in our preview article, the Blades sat one position below Georgetown in the standings heading into this game; a great indication of the significance of the contest for your Raiders.
Georgetown got off to a quick start in the first, leading 2-0 heading to the intermission thanks to Colin Maund and Jack Guvenal, the latter being scored on the man advantage.
The second period was back and forth, with Georgetown leading 3-1, then 4-3 heading to the third. Second period Raider goals were scored by Luca Rea and trade-deadline acquisition Spencer Borg. However, the Blades got the best of Georgetown in the final frame, scoring two inside of five minutes to take a 5-4 lead.
The Raiders would gain momentum later in the period and nearly tied the match multiple times. However, it was Oakville that prevailed. Positives to take from the game included the new acquisition Spencer Borg meshing well in his new situation and finding the back of the net; as well, recently-traded-for netminder Aiden Berry stopped 39 of 44 shots from Oakville. A tough game for Georgetown, but something to build on.
Saturday, Jan. 20, the Raiders travelled to the Port Credit Memorial Arena to face the Mississauga Chargers. Georgetown, eager to avenge the tough result from the night previous, jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period courtesy of goals from Carson Lloyd and new acquisition Owen McNamara.
The second period was scoreless, although five penalties were taken between the two clubs in the period. The Raiders took the same lead into the final frame. Liam Doherty of the Chargers cut the Raider lead to one with a power play marker under a minute into the frame.
From there, the Chargers looked more alive and managed to tie the game at two at the 16:06 mark of the third period. However, instead of playing for overtime, the Raiders woke up and mounted an attack late in the period that resulted in Teddy Puccini scoring his tenth of the year with 1:38 left in the frame.
That would be the game-winning goal and Georgetown managed to leave with a big momentum win and two valuable points. Finn Marshall was stellar for the Raiders in the win, stopping 26 of 28 shots for Georgetown. The Raiders peppered Mississauga with 45 shots on net.
After these two contests, the Raiders still occupy fifth place in the West Conference, now with 46 points. Oakville sits in sixth with 45 points, while Buffalo is the squad Georgetown chases in fourth place with 52 points.
Your Raiders have two games on the docket for the week ahead! Friday night, the Battle of North Halton is reignited in Milton against the Menace at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the Raiders return home to face the Leamington Flyers for Halton Twisters Night, presented by Canadian Tire. Tickets are $15 at the door.
