Broncos / Raiders Preview

The Broncos put a wrap on their five game homestand tonight when they host the 3-9-2 Prince Albert Raiders.

The Raiders come in losers of six in a row and have battled some internal problems this week. Their leadership group except Jeff May were all stripped of their letters

Here's some news from Gregg Drinnan's blog at www.gdrinnan.blogspot.com

Captain Ryan DePape and alternates Mike Gauthier and Ryan McDonald all lost their letters. In fact, only D Jeff May was wearing a letter — an A — against Regina. “Obviously there is some surrounding issues with discipline and whether it’s discipline (problems) on the ice or off the ice, it’s been very clear that it’s not going to be tolerated,” Campese told the Prince Albert Daily Herald. “Guys are going to have to understand really quick that we are not going to tolerate any actions that (are) to the (detriment) of the team. It’s a different kind of culture here and the players have to realize that and what they are here to do.” . . . During the game, Campese sat Dustin Cameron and McDonald for all of the second period after they took what were deemed bad penalties. . . . The Raiders (3-9-2-0) have lost six in a row and GM Donn Clark is out scouting. He watched the Kamloops Blazers play twice on the weekend. . . ."

These teams can put a scare into you. You never know just how much of an impact the message has on players and how they will react to it in their next game. We will find out tonight at the i-plex.

As for the Broncos they will be short some bodies for tonight's game. Dale Wiese is practicing with the team but is still more than likely a week away from getting the ok to play after his broken thumb. Levi Nelson is skating with the team and looked good at practice yesterday however it's doubtful he will play tonight. Dean has said they are shooting for the weekend.

After going 8-0 against the Raiders last season, the Broncos dropped the first meeting of this year in Prince Albert 4-1. Put that on top of the Broncos 5-4 shootout loss to Prince George Saturday night and the club should be dually motivated for this one.

The Broncos have picked up at least a point in their last seven games. It's the longest streak of that nature in the Chynoweth era. Back in 2003-04 with the likes of Williams, Redenbach, White, Rome, etc., the team rattled off eight straight games with at least a point. Late in the 2002/03 season the club had a 10 game streak from February 23rd to March 17th.

Before face-off tonight, I will be joined by voice of the Regina Pats and Roughriders Rod Pedersen. We will talk about tomorrow night's clash between the Broncos and Pats at the Brandt Center. Rod always gives you something to chew on and our chat will be no different. He really lets you know what's going with the Pats, the Riders and city of Regina as a whole. Pre-game show at 7pm, play-by-play at 7:30pm.

Jon