The weekend began with the Raiders hosting fellow playoff contenders, the Bees. This was the biggest game of the season for the Raiders, as it would help them secure a playoff spot if they were to win.
The Raiders started the game fast; within 26 seconds, Tjay Anderson had a chance, but an amazing stick save from Brython Preece kept the game level.
The Bees drew first blood on the penalty kill after the Raiders made a costly mistake, allowing the Bees to break two on one and Marcel Balaz tucked away the rebound. The lead did not last long as Adam Laishram was able to split the Bees’ defence and slide it under Preece, tying the game up. The Bees also regained their lead quickly after through Will Stead with a shot Raiders’ netminder Ethan James will most certainly want back. Adam Laishram continued his hot form in front of goal as Anderson found him on the break, and he found the top right corner with pure precision, making the scoreline 2-2 to end the first period.
After a tense first period, the second had the same feel until the Raiders led for the first time in the game through that man again, Laishram, who danced his way around the defence and finished with a wraparound to complete his hat trick for his second hat trick in two games. The game became an end-to-end thriller, with both teams creating chances to score, but it was the Raiders once again through Laishram, as he replicated his first goal of the game for his fourth and give the Raiders a valuable two-goal lead going into the final period.
The Bees had a tough task now as the Raiders were in their flow, and the goals could not be stopped, as Anderson robbed Dominik Gabaj in neutral ice before finding the roof of the net with a bullet of a shot. The Raiders began to look unstoppable, and they put the game to bed with a great pass from Laishram to Anderson, who finished out in front all alone. The team became relentless, scoring two more goals from Jake Sylvester and Aaron Connolly to end the game emphatically, securing the 8-2 win. As a result of this win, the Raiders secured a spot due to another result in the league going for the Raiders, Solway Sharks losing at home to the Telford Tigers.
Man of the match was given to Bees forward Dan Rose, and for the Raiders, Adam Laishram for his 4-goal performance.
Raiders Scoring: Adam Laishram 4+2, Tjay Anderson 2+3, Jack Cooper 0+2, Jake Sylvester 1+0, Aaron Connolly 1+0, George Norcliffe 0+1, Coy Prevost 0+1, Tom Relf 0+1.
Bees Scoring: Marcel Balaz 1+0, Will Stead 1+0, Dominik Gabaj 0+1, Ed Bradley 0+1.
