Backs to the wall: Saskatoon captures Game 4 victory

Nathan Reiter
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Backs to the wall: Saskatoon captures Game 4 victory

The Prince Albert Raiders have their backs to the wall after a 4-1 Game 4 defeat against the Saskatoon Blades at the Art Hauser Centre on Wednesday night to take a 3-1 series lead.

Raider head coach Jeff Truitt says Prince Albert didn’t generate many scoring opportunities.

“We didn’t get a lot of quality looks, we had some chances and I think that if we would have capitalized on a few of our chances, it could have been a different story. We got to generate more dangerous opportunities and (get) traffic to the net. It’s tough sledding out there and you’ve got to get pucks and traffic to the net, fight for second opportunities, grind it out.”

Saskatoon held a 36-16 shots on goal advantage on the evening. Truitt says the Raiders will need to do more in the offensive zone to win in game

“I think that they just had the puck in our zone at will. (They) did what they wanted to do and hemmed us in there for quite a while. They’re strong on pucks. And from our standpoint, there’s got to be a little bit more motion in that offensive zone, just not standing still.”

Saskatoon would open the scoring in the dying seconds of the opening frame as Easton Armstrong would jam home a rebound for his fifth goal of the series at the 19:58 mark. Alexander Suzdalev and Charlie Wright assisted on the play.

An unassisted goal from Misha Volotovskii would double the Saskatoon lead just 3:00 into the second period.

After a great scoring chance at the Saskatoon net, the Blades would take the puck the other way and Tanner Molendyk would strike for his first goal of the series. Volotovskii and William James provided the helpers.

A power play goal from Ryder Ritchie would get the Raiders on the board at the 4:02 mark of the third period. Aiden Oiring and Justice Christensen provided the helpers on the play.

Egor Sidorov would ice the game with an empty net tally for the Blades.

In order to force a Game 6 in Prince Albert on Saturday, the Raiders must win in Saskatoon in Game 5 on Friday night.

Truitt says the Raiders aren’t looking far ahead.

“One day at a time, one period at a time and now it’s got to be at our best but we’ve won in that building before and see where it goes.”

Game 5 is on Friday night in Saskatoon. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Armstrong hat trick lifts Blades past Raiders in Game 3

Nathan Reiter
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Armstrong hat trick lifts Blades past Raiders in Game 3

The Saskatoon Blades have taken their first lead of the series, thanks to an Easton Armstrong overtime winner as they defeated the Prince Albert Raiders 4-3 at the Art Hauser Centre on Tuesday.

Raider head coach Jeff Truitt says it took a while for Prince Albert to settle into the game.

“It sure looked that way. We want to come up with some energy. We want to come up with a lot of compete. It did show a little bit at the time, but then I thought once we settled in, I thought we were fine and we clawed back, but there were some early nerves, there’s no doubt.”

A strong start would get Saskatoon going as they would take a two goal lead into the dressing room after twenty minutes.

Armstrong would open the scoring for Saskatoon at the 5:53 mark of the opening frame. The Raiders would turn the puck over in the neutral zone and spring the 20-year-old on a partial breakaway and he would make no mistake for his second goal of the series.

Armstrong would be the benefactor of a Raider turnover in the defensive zone at the 9:03 mark with his second of the night.

Shots favored Saskatoon 16-4 after the opening twenty minutes.

The Raiders would spring to life in the second period. Polish import Krzysztof Macias would get Prince Albert on the board with his first goal of the series just 2:51 into the middle frame. Sloan Stanick and Terrell Goldsmith assisted on the play.

A holding penalty against Saskatoon’s Nicholas Andrusiak would give the Raiders a crucial opportunity on the man advantage.

Ryder Ritchie would strike for his second power play tally of the series at the 11:52 mark to knot the score at 2-2. Sloan Stanick and Justice Christensen assisted on the play.

Trevor Wong would restore the Saskatoon lead with an unassisted goal at the 17:13 mark.

After pushing for the equalizer the entire third period, Aiden Oiring would find the back of the net with his second goal of the series at the 14:22 mark sending the Art Hauser Centre faithful into a frenzy. Ryder Ritchie picked up the lone helper.

“They’re loud, it’s a small building, but that just makes it a lot louder.” Oiring said about the crowd in his post-game interview. “They support us so much and they’re amazing.”

Truitt says he saw a lot of positives from the Raiders in the final stanza.

“I thought we were tremendous, we got down and they carried the play at times. But then so did we. I thought that we battled hard. I thought that once we got some shots through from the point, we had a little bit more of a shooting mentality. That’s what we need to do right now, any puck at the net is a good one.”

A Raider penalty would carry over into the overtime frame and Armstrong would secure the win for Saskatoon with his third goal of the night just twenty three seconds into the overtime frame.

So far through three games, the Raiders have hung right with the Blades, who finished as the top regular season team in the WHL.

Truitt says the Raiders are far from out of the series.

“Game one, we got our power play goals. Hilty was outstanding. Game two, their power play was good and both goaltenders were fine, but the defining moment (was) on their power plays. Tonight, they get up and it’s a little bit of a different scenario where we showed our character and coming back, we never quit.”

Saskatoon leads the best-of-seven series two games to one. Game 4 is on Wednesday night at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Carlton LB Adamko commits to Saskatoon Hilltops

Nathan Reiter
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Carlton LB Adamko commits to Saskatoon Hilltops

The linebacking core for the Saskatoon Hilltops will welcome a Prince Albert product into their ranks this coming fall.

Scott Adamko has committed to the Hilltops program this coming fall after being an impact player in his high school football career for the Carlton Crusaders as both a running back and linebacker.

Adamko says he is looking forward to contributing once he arrives in the Bridge City.

“They’ve always been such a prestigious program. They have 23 national championships and all that. They’re always a good winning team, which is always fun.”

Scott won’t be the first member of his family to don the Hilltop uniform. His older brother Ryan and cousin Justin have both played for the team in the past.

Adamko says he is looking forward to following in the footsteps of his family..

“It’s awesome. Our family is going to be all over the place and it’ll be cool.”

The Hilltops are the defending Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) champions after they defeated the Westshore Rebels 17-10 in the Canadian Bowl last season.

Saskatoon has won 10 of the last 13 Canadian Bowl titles dating back to 2010.

Adamko says he is looking forward to contributing to the Hilltops push for a second consecutive championship this fall.

“It just gives you another reason to want to work harder to get on the field and just win. It’s just, you want to be back to back (champions), everyone wants that title. Just got to stay in the gym, keep up the hard work, and just never give up.”

The Hilltops open their 2024 campaign on August 11 when they take on the Edmonton Huskies.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Doan Smith named head coach of Prince Albert Mintos

Nathan Reiter
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Doan Smith named head coach of Prince Albert Mintos

There will be a new bench boss for the Prince Albert Mintos next season.

The team announced on Thursday night that Doan Smith has been hired as the team’s new head coach, taking over the position from Tim Leonard who retired at the end of the season.

Smith says he is chomping at the bit to get started with his duties as head coach.

“I’m excited, ready to get going. There’s lots to do just based on me having to get caught up with the process of where they’re at. It’s that time of year with spring camps going up and recruitment wise, so busy right away, kind of thrown into it. There is great support staff here. From GM to scouts to the board members to the coaches that were there last year, they’ve set me up for success right away, and ultimately I’m excited to get rolling.”

Smith will put a lot of miles on the recruitment trail during his first summer as the Minto head coach. Prince Albert graduates several players from last year’s team and will need to solidify the lineup heading into next season.

Smith says the Minto scouting staff has done a phenomenal job and he is looking forward to evaluating several players during the offseason.

“There’s a great prospect pool that they’ve been in communication with over the year and we have a handful of spots that we need to figure out to solidify our lineup before next season. It’s just getting in the process of helping out and watching some players and with camp coming next week being hands-on there and going from there. For me, it’s just getting eyes on kids and being a soundboard for the scouts that already know them better than most and worked with them to see what our team needs and fit it all together.”

Smith is no stranger to U18 AAA hockey having served as an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Northern Bears in the Saskatchewan Female Under-18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) last season. During his day job, Smith also serves as the Saskatchewan Area Manager for the Global Sports Academy and the STIX hockey program.

Smith says he enjoyed his time with the Northern Bears program and taking that role inspired him to apply for the opening with the Mintos.

“I can’t say enough positive things about my experience with the Bears program on the female side and working with that high school group of athletes. I owe a lot to those girls and those staff members for allowing me that opportunity this season. I’m fortunate enough to work with student athletes on a daily basis in my full-time job. I think a big reason for why I wanted to do this and throughout this process is it’s not about me, it’s about them.”

The Mintos have not formally announced assistant coaches for next season.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

“We’re ecstatic”: Raiders win draft lottery for second year in a row

Nathan Reiter
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“We’re ecstatic”: Raiders win draft lottery for second year in a row

For the second consecutive season, the lottery balls fell in favor of the Prince Albert Raiders.

Prince Albert will pick second overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft thanks to winning the draft lottery. If they hadn’t won the lottery, the Raiders would have picked at fourth overall. The Raiders acquired the pick in a trade last season with the Seattle Thunderbirds that sent star defenseman Nolan Allan to the Pacific Northwest.

The Raiders also jumped from fourth to second overall in last year’s WHL Prospects Draft thanks to a lottery win.

Bruno Zarrillo, the director of player personnel for the Raiders, says he was surprised when he heard the results of the lottery.

“It was a shock really. To win once is crazy, and to win a second time is out of this world. We’re ecstatic to have the opportunity to move up in the draft, and to get the second player is excellent for the Raiders.”

The Everett Silvertips will pick first overall in the upcoming WHL Prospects Draft after they acquired Kamloops’ 2024 first round pick in the blockbuster Ryan Hofer/Olen Zellweger trade last season.

Defenceman Landon DuPont is widely expected to be the first overall pick after a standout campaign with Edge School U18 Prep, where he posted 62 points in 30 games as a 14-year-old. DuPont is expected to become the second player ever to receive exceptional status in the WHL according to Elliotte Friedman. Exceptional status allows a 15-year-old player to play full-time in the WHL. To date, Connor Bedard is the only player to be granted exceptional status in the WHL.

Zarrillo says there is plenty of work still left for the Raider scouting staff ahead of the draft.

“The consensus is Landon DuPont will be the first pick. After that, there’s always a lot of good players. It’s a bit of a mix of forwards and defenseman. There’s some players we’re looking at and we’re talking about and talking to and doing our homework. Then we’ll filter it down and try to make the best decision for the Raiders going forward.”

It will be another season of multiple selections in the top 10 for the Prince Albert Raiders. The Raiders will also select at ninth overall after the club secured the eighth and final playoff spot in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.
Last season, Prince Albert selected first overall (Daxon Rudolph), second overall (Riley Boychuk) and seventh overall (Ty Meunier).

Zarrillo says the Raiders will get an opportunity to add two more highly talented players to the organization in the coming draft.

“This year, everyone knew who number one was. Last year was a little different and people would have had a little more difference of opinion than this year. When you’re picking as high as we’re picking, you’re getting a very good player. We’re really excited with the guys we got last year, and they all had great seasons, they’re all skating with us now, and they’re all fine young men, which is the most important.”

The Raiders will have several picks near the top of the draft board. Prince Albert will also select 31st overall in the second round and currently possess three third round selections at 48th, 53rd and 56th overall.

Prince Albert acquired the 48th overall pick in the Nolan Allan trade with Seattle and picked up the 56th overall selection as part of the Carson Latimer/Aiden Oiring trade with the Winnipeg ICE (now known as the Wenatchee Wild) last season.

Zarrillo says the scouting staff is excited about the potential the draft presents for the team.

“Curtis (Hunt) has done a great job giving us an opportunity to restock the shelves and to build another championship.”

With the Raiders having made several high picks in recent years, there will be major competition for roster spots amongst the younger players during training camp next fall.

“You’re dealing with a good problem.” Zarrillo says. “These are young men and it’s not like you are picking a player that’s already matured. You really have to forecast and predict. The kids, they tell you by the work they put in and they show us who wants to be a Raider.”

The 2024 WHL Prospect Draft is scheduled for Thursday, May 7.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Predators to open training camp Friday

Nathan Reiter
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Predators to open training camp Friday

The Prince Albert Predators are looking to repeat as Prairie Gold Lacrosse League (PGLL) champions and the road begins Friday as the team opens training camp at the Kinsmen Arena.

Predators head coach Lucas Wells says he is excited to get the season underway.

“I’m looking forward to just getting back at it. We’ve been running winter camps since January, and the attendance has been hit or miss. Guys are in Saskatoon, guys are working, so I don’t expect them to come out. Expectations are high this year, coming off a championship season and not losing many guys, the boys are well aware of expectations, and it’ll be good.”

The Predators will lose three players from last season’s championship team with Kieron Hoko, Tyler Gusdal and Chase Netmaker all graduating from junior lacrosse. Prince Albert will gain a key returnee back into the lineup this season. Kade Beaton missed the entirety of the 2023 campaign with a knee injury suffered while playing college lacrosse in the U.S.

Last season, the Predators took home the PGLL title in an overtime thriller 12-11 over the Swift Current Wolverines in Moose Jaw. Hayden Ulriksen tied the game with just eight seconds left to go in regulation and Brayden Rieger would score the game winner with twenty seconds remaining in overtime.

With the Predators returning many key cogs from last year’s championship team, Wells expects a strong campaign and for the veteran players to set an example for the younger, incoming players.

“We lose seven this year. We’re an older team but we’re going to hopefully see some new faces crack the lineup, or at least be out at practice, learning the ropes, and learning from these older guys so that we can continue to be as strong as we are in the future. It’s nice to have an older age group and a well-oiled leadership group as well. We lost one assistant captain, and we’ll replace him. We have so many leaders on our team that it doesn’t really matter who that letter goes to. As a coach, you can say one thing and you only have to repeat it once, because the leadership group’s all over them already.”

The Predators are looking to make waves on the national stage this season as Prince Albert will host a play-in game for the 2024 Founders Cup sometime during their season, a date for the game has not yet been announced.. The Founders Cup is a Junior B Tier 1 national championship that will be hosted in Hamilton, Ontario from August 18-25.

“It’ll be the best lacrosse Prince Albert has ever seen.” Well says. “This is the first time Prince Albert lacrosse has put a team forward to try and go to nationals, especially at that level. When we did put our name forward, I felt that there was a lot of disrespect from Saskatoon and Regina, and it’s going to just fuel their fire and we’re going to use that as an expectation. I expect us to be able to play with them and hopefully give whoever we play a very good game.”

The Predators will kick off exhibition play with a three game series against Winnipeg at the Kinsmen Arena on Apr. 20 and 21. The two teams will play at 2 and 7 p.m. on the 20th and a single game starting at noon on the 21st.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Brian Howell to retire from River Bank Development Corporation

Nathan Reiter
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Brian Howell to retire from River Bank Development Corporation

After a lengthy career advocating for affordable housing and homelessness, Brian Howell is retiring as the general manager of the River Bank Development Corporation.

“I’m seventy years old and not getting any younger and it was getting to be time (to retire).” He says. “It’s harder to keep up with work and, and there’s a few other things I wanted to accomplish.”

During his time with the River Bank Development Corporation, Howell was an advocate for affordable housing and homeless in the city of Prince Albert. 

Howell says he has seen the homelessness issue decline in recent years.

“It’s gotten much worse across the country, not only in Prince Albert, there’s increasing numbers in all major cities and smaller cities. It results from things like increasing income disparity.  housing keeps getting more expensive and people don’t have enough money to find a place. When the drugs are much stronger these days, when people are using them, it’s much harder for them to both use and find a place to live. More people who are just struggling with life in general seem to end up on the streets.”

According to the Canadian Rental Housing Index, Prince Albert is ranked as an unaffordable municipality with the average person spending 30-49% of their income on rent and utilities.

Howell says the main issue for renters in Canada is the amount of income inequality throughout the country.

“A single person in almost all the provinces of Canada gets somewhere in the neighborhood of $700 or $800 a month to live on.  That is nowhere near enough to pay rent anywhere. There needs to be more affordable housing and more income equality. Canada has always had really high poverty rates, and income disparity has always been an issue.”

“Over the years, things have improved for certain groups. Back in the 70s for example, Canada’s pension plan in old age really brought a lot of seniors out of poverty.  Over the last few years, the government’s move to increase the child tax benefit, the federal government, has substantially increased child tax benefits.  There’s been some positive things happen. But over the course of the pandemic, of course, there was a lot of inflation (with) food prices and rent prices. As property owners and managers have had to increase our rents just to keep up with the tax increases, which are related to the increased costs of everything to the city.”

Tina Dickson will take over as River Bank Development Corporation’s general manager.

editorial@paherald.sk.ca

Trio of power play goals lifts Saskatoon past Raiders in Game 2

Nathan Reiter
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Trio of power play goals lifts Saskatoon past Raiders in Game 2

It’s all tied up at one game apiece heading back to the Art Hauser Centre.

The Saskatoon Blades evened up the best-of-seven first round playoff series with the Prince Albert Raiders skating to a 4-1 win on Friday night at the SaskTel Centre.

Raider head coach Jeff Truitt says he was happy with the way Prince Albert competed, despite the result on the scoresheet.

“I thought our level of battle increased an awful lot here. I think they forced us into it too. We want to play that way. They lost game one and they obviously want to come back and have a good showing in game two, there’s desperation on their part. Physicality both ways and emotions that way.  We had some opportunities as well. We just didn’t finish, but our compete level was fine.”

John Babcock would open the scoring just 2:02 into the opening frame with his first goal of the postseason. Alexander Suzdalev and Easton Armstrong assisted on the play.

A power play would double the lead for Saskatoon at the 3:15 mark of the second period as Egor Sidoror would strike for his third goal of the series. Trevor Wong assisted on the play.

In the third period, Easton Armstrong would redirect a shot past Hildebrand at the 4:16 to extend the Blade lead to 3-0. Sidorov and Charlie Wright picked up the assists.

Tyler Parr would add another for the Blades at the 14:24 mark with Fraser Minten and Grayden Siepmann picking up the helpers.

Saskatoon would finish the evening three for four on the man advantage.

Niall Crocker would break the shutout bid as he would strike for his second of the series on the mouth of the goal crease on a 5-on-3 power play. Ryder Ritchie and Sloan Stanick assisted on the play.

Truitt says the late goal was a small victory in the fact that it came on the power play.

“To get one isn’t the be all and end all. We lost the game, that was what the biggest thing is. But to get one on him (Gardner) later on in the game, on the power play, that gives us a little bit of confidence that way.  You take every goal you can get. it’s just too bad that it wasn’t one more than them.”

The series shifts back to the Art Hauser Centre with Game 3 on Tuesday night, followed by Game 4 on Wednesday.

Truitt says the Raiders are looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.

“You play the first two here and there’s certain advantages to go along with that. Now we get to the Art Hauser with our fans, our crowd should be a noisy place.”

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Raiders bend, don’t break in Game 1 victory

Nathan Reiter
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Raiders bend, don’t break in Game 1 victory

The Prince Albert Raiders won the first battle, but the war is far from over as they defeated the Saskatoon Blades 4-3 at the SaskTel Centre on Thursday in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first round playoff series.

Raider head coach Jeff Truitt says it took a while for the Raiders to settle into the game.

“Being down two, you have to generate some offense somewhere. We were creating some turnovers and uncharacteristic plays but once we got the traction going, we got pucks in the net, big power play goal and then we get up 3-2 and we get that other one and get a little daylight. We knew they were going to come back, they are too good of a team (not to).” 

After a failed clear attempt by Prince Albert on a Blade power play, Saskatoon would strike first at the 19:39 mark. Egor Sidorov would strike for his first of the series with Trevor Wong and Tanner Molendyk picking up the helpers.

Alexander Suzdalev would strike with an unassisted goal, his first of the series, just fifty-nine seconds into the second period to double the Saskatoon lead.

Sloan Stanick was called for a high sticking minor on Suzdalev during the play and the Raiders would head to the penalty kill. In a moment where the game could have gone off the rails for Prince Albert, the Raiders successfully killed the penalty and gained some traction.

“For a young group, they kept it together pretty well.” Truitt says. “You go into these playoff series is thinking that you can’t have the highs and lows and no matter what happens You know, you’re being down to nothing and the guy stuck with it And then even when we got up it was you know the even keel and that’s what you need this time here 

The Raiders would pull within one thanks to Aiden Oiring at the 8:41 mark of the middle frame. On a transition, the Raider centreman would deposit his first goal of the postseason with a wrist shot that would beat Blade netminder Austin Elliott high blocker side. Oli Chnier and Eric Johnston assisted on the play.

Easton Kovacs would tie the game at the 10:53 mark with his first career playoff goal. Luke Moroz and Grady Martin picked up the helpers.

After a too many men penalty against Saskatoon, the Raiders would take their first lead of the night against the WHL’s top ranked penalty kill unit during the regular season. Ryder Ritchie would strike for his first career postseason goal at the 14:19 mark. Sloan Stanick and Niall Crocker provided the helpers.

Niall Crocker would double the Raider lead with a power play marker at the 8:13 mark of the third period. A shot from Ryder Ritchie would hit Austin Elliott in the mask and Crocker would deflect the puck out of mid-air and past the Saskatoon netminder. Justice Christensen picked up the secondary helper.

Prince Albert would finish the night two for three on the power play. 

Truitt says the Raiders did a good job at moving the puck against a Saskatoon unit that likes to pressure the puck handler.

“I like the shot selection and the traffic in front of the net as well. Crocker had that one there and that’s what you need. They’re an aggressive penalty killing unit. You’ve got to move the pucks quickly to open places. You’ve got to do something with it and when you get that shot mentality going, you have to get it away quick and that’s key too.”

Sidorov would bring the Blades within one at the 16:45 mark of the third period with his second of the night. Charlie Wright and Trevor Wong provided the helpers.

The Blades would press for the equalizer, but Max Hildebrand stood tall making 41 saves on the evening to earn the Game 1 victory. Austin Elliott made 16 saves for the Blades

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Friday night at the SaskTel Centre. Puck drops at 7 p.m. The series shifts back to Prince Albert for Game 3 on Tuesday night.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Bring on the Blades: Raiders draw archrival Saskatoon in opening round playoff matchup

Nathan Reiter
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Bring on the Blades: Raiders draw archrival Saskatoon in opening round playoff matchup

It took until the final weekend of the regular season for the Prince Albert Raiders (31-32-2-3) to clinch a playoff berth, but now they turn their focus to their first round playoff date with their archrival Saskatoon Blades (50-13-2-3).

The Raiders finished eighth in the WHL’s Eastern Conference with 67 points, while Saskatoon took home the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the best regular season team in the WHL, recording 105 points.

Saskatoon was the stingiest team in the WHL during the regular season in terms of goals allowed. In 68 games, the Blades gave up 163 goals, or an average of approximately 2.4 goals per game.

Raider head coach Jeff Truitt says Prince Albert will have to make the most of the scoring opportunities that they earn.

“We’ve got to skate and pressure them, and we’ve got to score. This is a team that doesn’t give up an awful lot. You’ve got to work for everything you get. When you get those opportunities during a game, you’ve got to capitalize. They may not come often, but you’ve got to make sure you capitalize when you can.”

One of the most intense rivalries in all of junior hockey, the Raiders and Blades were no strangers to each other during the regular season. The two teams played a total of 10 games during the regular season with the Blades holding the edge in the season series 8-2. Of the five games played at the Art Hauser Centre, three went to a shootout.

Prince Albert failed to win a game in Saskatoon during the regular season and in order to win the best-of-seven series, the Raiders will need to win at least one game away from the Art Hauser Centre.

Truitt says the Raiders will need to play to their strengths and execute in the big moments to capture a win on the road.

“You got to get after them, you got to have an aggressive mindset. No matter if you’re here or if you’re there, it doesn’t matter. You got to win on the road in a seven game series, not having home ice advantage. You go into it with a certain game plan, and you have got to execute that game plan. You got make sure that you’re first on pucks. You got to be on the edge and play on the edge every night.”

“We’ve got to get pucks in deep and we’ve got to be first back for our pucks. They’re a good skating team that can make plays. We got to play tight and get our opportunities in that offensive zone. We got to make sure we are hard on the puck.”

The Blades and Raiders squared off in a home-and-home series in the final regular season week, with Saskatoon taking both games outscoring Prince Albert 10-1.

Truitt says the home-and-home gave the Raiders a chance to know what they need to work on going into the playoffs.

“Not many teams change an awful lot going in. The success of the regular season dictates how they play. For us, we’ve got to play our best game. We’ve got to be collectively together and making sure that we’re making good reads and not exposing easy ice for them.”

Saskatoon has made it clear to the rest of the WHL that they have high ambitions with the trades they have made this season. Saskatoon has brought in several high-caliber players including Toronto Maples Leafs prospect Fraser Minten from the Kamloops Blazers in November along with import forward Alexander Suzdalev, who is a Washington Capitals prospect, from the Regina Pats at the end of December.

The Blades have five players on their roster who have been drafted by NHL clubs (Brandon Lisowsky, Fraser Minten, Egor Sidorov and Alexander Suzdalev) while the Raiders only have one NHL drafted player (Terrell Goldsmith).

The Raiders may not feature as many name-brand NHL prospects on their team as the Blades, but captain Eric Johnston says Prince Albert will give it their all against Saskatoon.

“We’re in there for a dogfight. We’re in there for the same reason they are: for a championship. We set our goals on one thing and it’s making the playoffs and getting to the championship. I think (if) we get through them, we have a good chance.”

On paper, Saskatoon enters the series as the heavy favorites as the WHL’s top team during the regular season and a veteran roster coming off an Eastern Conference Final loss to Winnipeg last season.

Johnston says the Raiders are ready for the challenge the series will present.

“I just believe in our room. I think we’ve always been believing in our room from the start to game 68. I think we’ve never had that quit mentality and just stuck with it. I think that underdog mentality is the way to go and never doubt on us.”

The last time the Raiders qualified for the WHL playoffs was back in the 2021-2022 season when they lost in five games to the top-seeded Winnipeg ICE. Only six players who are currently on the Raiders played in that series (Max Hildebrand, Sloan Stanick, Niall Crocker, Harrison Lodewyk, Terrell Goldsmith and Eric Johnston).

With the majority of the roster experiencing their first taste of playoff hockey in the WHL, Truitt says the message to the players is to make the most of the opportunity.

“Enjoy the playoffs. At any level you get in, anything can happen. You can’t freeze up and be tight. You’ve got to go and play and play loose, play the way that you can and play the best of your abilities, but enjoy this. Both buildings are going to be full and they’re going to be loud, which creates that atmosphere of a special time of the season.”

There is some precedent to the matchup with Saskatoon winning the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy and facing the Raiders in the first round. Back in the 2010-11 season, the Blades defeated the Raiders in six games. Matej Stransky had the overtime winner for the Blades in the decisive game six. Saskatoon was swept in the second round that year by the eventual WHL champion Kootenay ICE.

Subhead: Stanick, Christensen named second team East Division All-Stars

A pair of key contributors for the Raiders were recognized with WHL East Division Second Team All-Star nods, announced by the league on Tuesday.

Justice Christensen and Sloan Stanick were both named to the East Division Second All-Star Team after outstanding individual campaigns.

Christensen set a career high with 45 points on the Raider blueline while appearing in all 68 games this season. Christensen was undrafted and was listed and signed by the Raiders in May 2022.

Overager Sloan Stanick received recognition for his career season as he recorded 84 points for the Raiders this season. Stanick was acquired from the Regina Pats in the 2021-22 season in exchange for defenceman Adam McNutt.

Game 1 between the Raiders and Blades goes on Thursday night from the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

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