A learning experience is the best way the Ice can sum up their 5-4 performance in Lethbridge on Wednesday night, as they prepare to face the visiting Prince Albert Raiders on Friday night at the Rec Plex.

That sentiment was echoed by the team's top sniper in Max Reinhart, who watched the game from the press box while nursing an injury to his foot after blocking a shot against Brandon on Tuesday.

"I don't think our intensity was there last night, for whatever reason," said Max. "I think we just looked over at their roster and saw they're missing their top guy from before the trade deadline. We got a lead going into the third and you could just tell from sitting up there that we were sitting back a little too much."

Also missing from the lineup was Drew Czerwonka, who will be out for another week or so and Luke Paulsen, who is recovering from a concussion.

Despite the absence of those veterans, the team managed to score four goals in 60 minutes and control the first half of the game.

However, the Ice could've put more pucks into the net, as they were given five chances on the man-advantage but failed to convert on all attempts.

"Our powerplay obviously has to work more; it wasn't great but we've been having success on it as of late, so we got to get back to that," said Sam Reinhart, Max's younger brother.

The Prince Albert Raiders are on a six-game losing skid as they come down through Cranbrook and Lethbridge on a weekend road trip, but that doesn't mean the Ice should take them lightly. Both games the Raiders have played against the Ice were tough matches; the Ice won the first 3-1 at home, but lost a 7-5 decision on the road in the season series.

"They played us tough, they have a lot of offense, which is going to be, when we're missing three of our top players, it's going to be a tough game for us," said Ice assistant coach Todd Johnson. "We're going to have to play very well in the defensive zone and we're going to need contributions from all of our lines for us to be successful."

The Ice allowed the Hurricanes to get back in the game when they eased off the pressure halfway through the second period, said Johnson.

"The other night, I think if we can learn anything, it would be to just keep the pedal down. Our first period, we played very well, but we got away from our game a bit in the second period."

Looking back at the Lethbridge affair, Max said the team needs guys to step up and fill the gaps left by absences from himself, Czerwonka and Paulsen.

"I think a lot of guys have a great opportunity to step up with Czerwonka, me and Paulsen out so it should be an exciting time for them and I would expect the next couple games for guys to be having good games," said Max.

Johnson agrees, noting that he saw some of the older players shoulder that burden during the Lethbridge game.

"I thought Jesse Ismond had a great game for us. Brock Montgomery had a great game for us. Joe Antilla had a great game for us," said Johnson. "Our older players really stepped up and took over the game for us as much as they could."

The younger players now have an opportunity to elevate their game, while those three veterans recover from their injuries, he continued.

"You got to look at the younger players and we're looking at them to step up and this is a golden opportunity for them," Johnson added. "It's the last quarter or third of the season and if they can show that they can play in the top three lines, even when those guys come back, it makes for some tough decisions."

The Ice will follow up their WHL weekend action on Saturday, jumping the 49th parallel into the U.S. to challenge the Spokane Chiefs.

The Chiefs are hot right now, winning the last of their four games against U.S. divisional rivals. Two of those wins were against the Portland Winterhawks, and the Chiefs will face them for a third time in seven days on Friday before hosting the Ice.