Sloan Stanick is hugged by Justice Christensen and raises his arms in celebration after scoring the Raiders Teddy Bear Toss goal against the Red Deer Rebels on Dec. 9, 2023. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Fuzzy Finish

Stanick makes the stuffies soar late as Rebels spoil Teddy Bear Toss night

Dec 9, 2023 | 10:35 PM

Sloan Stanick made the fluff fly on Saturday night.

The Raiders leading point getter scored the iconic Teddy Bear Toss goal at the Art Hauser Centre, however the Red Deer Rebels came and crashed the party with a 2-1 triumph.

The loss comes a day after downing the Calgary Hitmen 4-3.

The Rebels narrowly had a shutout in the contest on the back of netminder Chase Wutzke, who was a wall between the pipes making 35 stops. The Raiders only figured out the Debden, Sask. product with 1:07 to go in the game which was too little, too late.

Assisting on Stanick’s teddy toss sparking marker w Niall Crocker and Ryder Ritchie. In goal for Prince Albert was Max Hildebrand who turned aside 27 shots as the Raiders fall to 16-14-0-2 on the campaign.

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Tickling twine for the Rebels was Zane Saab and Talon Brigley while Jace Weir had two assists and Dwayne Jean Jr. had one. With the win, Red Deer improves to 14-12-0-3 on the year.

COMPLETE BOX SCORE

Following a scoreless opening period, the Rebels managed to break the ice early in the second with Saab’s first career goal just two minutes in.

A short time later, Quentin Bourne laid a hit on Matej Kubiesa leading to Justice Christensen taking offence. The two dropped the gloves and each got five minutes in the penalty box to think about what they did.

With less than a minute to go in the frame, Brigley made the lamp go to put Red Deer up two heading into the third.

With 1:07 remaining in the game and with a Red Deer shutout looming, the Raiders managed to get on the board and send the stuffies flying. With Hildebrand at the bench, Ritchie spotted Crocker on the side of the goal who then went cross crease for Stanick. The puck managed to find its was through the bodies and on to the tape of the Raiders vet, who fired home his 12th of season to make for an exciting finish.

However, the Rebels managed to keep the defense tight for the final minute as Red Deer hung on for the 2-1 win.

The Raiders continue their four-game homestand on Tuesday night for game three when they welcome the Kamloops Blazers to the Art Hauser Centre for the first time since Dec. 14, 2019.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com