Ranked first in Canada, Raiders look to extend eight-game win streak

In Prince Albert, the Raiders are starting to become the talk of the town. Jasmine Pelletier has the story.

Sixteen-year-old centre Connor Howe is playing his first WHL season with a team he grew up watching.

A Prince Albert local, Howe said he was speechless when he first found out he’d be joining the Raiders.

“The Prince Albert Raiders were my favourite team growing up,” he said. “Getting the chance to play for them is them is a dream come true for sure.”

Howe extended the team’s win streak to eight games Tuesday, scoring the deciding goal against the Moose Jaw Warriors.

“There’s always talk that we’re going to be really good this year,” he said.

“To see that, that we are doing really good is definitely a really good feeling just being able to win, you know, it’s just like it’s, it’s awesome to have a good group of guys in there.”

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Raiders left-winger Brandon Gorzynski, traded in December from the Calgary Hitmen, was just named WHL Player of the Week.

The Dallas Stars draft pick said consistency is keeping Prince Albert’s team at the top.

“We’re not doing anything crazy,” said Gorzynski. “It’s all just the same thing every day and hard work, and we have a plan for what we’re doing and we execute it every night.”

Season tickets were at record highs from the beginning, and walk-up ticket sales have only gone up as the Raiders have gained momentum.

The Raiders are currently ranked first in Canada, and business manager Mike Scissions said jerseys have been flying off the shelves.

“You see people wearing the Raiders stuff, honking their horns, waving at you,” said Scissons. “We were out in a school this morning and the kids are lining up to the high five and get autographs. It’s really fun to be a part of.”

The Raiders will face longstanding rival the Saskatoon Blades at home this Saturday.

“I think they’re a really good team,” said Howe about the Blades. “I think just their offensive ability is good, and I think we just gotta be good in the d-zone and we’ll be good.”