Letter of Marque
Victory In The Raiders’ Bay
Article written by french sport journalist Evok
S35G09

<div align="center">Vancouver Whalers 2 || Halifax Raiders 4</div>

For their last home game of the current leg, the Raiders welcomed a new player in their ship, hoping to boost the scoring. They also turned to their leadership group, hoping to generate some opportunity on the ice and to prevent feeling discouraged while the team was facing the Whalers a second game in a row. Everyone was still remembering the heartbreaking defeat two days ago.

The first period was a busy one for the referees. During the first 20 minutes, the assigned 8 penalties shared between the two teams. Everything started soon after the first face-off when Lukas Müller received a High Stick minor. The second call was received by his teammate Bernstein when he Hooked Sophia Bennett, while she was Interfering with him. They were both send into the sin box at the same time. Halifax’s strong player Wyder was caught by the referee Slashing another player near the 7 minutes mark of the period. The next player to be sent in the penalty box was Vancouver’s Spitfire for Tripping. Unfortunately for him, it was on this penalty than the Raiders’ power play unblocked and rookie defenseman Müller was able to blast one past MacCockener. The penalty festival didn’t stop after this goal however as Vancouver’s Kikkoman took two sanction in a row. He received first a Hooking call and at the second he got out of the box, he Tripped one of the Raiders player. Six second before the end of the period, it was Halifax’s turn to be on the penalty kill when Kevin St. Lauren stick went to high and hit another player.

The second period also gave a lot of work for the officials. After the multiple penalty of the Whalers in the first period, it was Halifax turn to be undisciplined. Boyka Jr. received the first minor of the period after boarding one of the Whalers’ player. Grogan didn’t wait long to join him in the box, exactly 11 seconds, when he was penalized for Holding. Fortunately for the Raiders, the Whalers weren’t able to capitalize on the 3 man penalty kill. It took a few more minutes after those penalty before someone else was able to turn on the goal light. Kikkoman was able to beat FourFour Jr. and sent the puck behind him. After than, the Raiders kept being punished when Grogan took his second penalty of the night for Holding and once he was out, it was Marino’s turn for Roughing. With the more physical play, the Whalers also started to be agitated and Spitfire was sent in the box for the second time of the night after Holding one of the Raiders. The true opportunity, however, came when Jukka received the same call 3 minutes later. This allowed the power play unit of the raider, led by Cody Fletcher, to send one behind the Whalers’ netminder after a wonderful set up by FourFour Jr. and McCarthy.

With the last period being calmer, Fletcher was able to keep the Raiders momentum going. Not even two minutes into the last leg of the game, he was able to outplay MacCockener and sent the crowd into a cheering festival, taking the lead 3-1. However, Indesvara Magar cooled down the fans when he cut his team deficit by only one goal about six minutes after Fletcher. Jack then pushed the plug too hard and the referee sent him to the box for diving. The Raiders gained enough momentum during the penalty that newcomer Pelletier was able to add a goal on the scoresheet for the Raiders a few seconds after the whalers player came out of the box. However, Werenski put pressure on his team when he received a Cross-Check penalty toward the end of the period. Fortunately, the Raiders kept their ship sailing and were able to celebrate their first win in front of their fans.

The unsung hero of the match for the Raiders was Oliviz Klozoff who received two helpers on his teams goals. He won the most face off for his team with sixteen and shot twice during his 20 minutes on the ice.