Raiders forward Niall Crocker staples a Saskatoon Blade into the boards during a meeting earlier this season. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Gameday preview

Raiders look to clinch playoff spot against Saskatoon in last regular season home game

Mar 22, 2024 | 12:07 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders (31-30-2-3) are set to play their final home game of the regular season on Friday night, hosting their longtime rivals the Saskatoon Blades (48-13-2-3) to kick off a home-and-home series.

The game is an important one for the Raiders as they could clinch the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Prince Albert could qualify if the Raiders earn a single point against Saskatoon or if Calgary loses to Swift Current in any fashion.

The Raiders enter Friday with a win in their last contest as they downed Regina 5-1 on Wednesday night in P.A. The win snapped a three-game skid and was their second triumph in their last five games. Looking back at the last 10, the Raiders boast a 5-4-1-0 record highlighted by an 8-3 win over Medicine Hat and a 5-1 victory over Red Deer.

Saskatoon on the other hand has been hot down the final stretch and look to end one of their best seasons ever with a bang. Heading into the home-and-home weekend, the Blades won in their last contest edging Calgary 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday. The loss is Saskatoon’s only in their last five games and their fourth in their last 10.

Friday’s meeting is the ninth meeting of the season between the Raiders and Blades with their latest matchup ending in Saskatoon’s 6-1 slashing of Prince Albert back on Feb. 9. Out of the previous eight contests, the Raiders have prevailed twice with 2-1 and 5-4 wins back in January. A win will help the Raiders clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but if Lethbridge collects a single point on Friday against Medicine Hat, it will solidify a first-round series between Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

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Following Friday, the two rivals will go toe to toe again on Saturday night in Saskatoon to not only close out the home-and-home and season series but to wrap up the regular season.

How the Eastern Conference stands entering the final weekend of the regular season.

Who to Watch

Forward Aiden Oiring led the way for the Raiders during their win over Regina on Wednesday night. The Calgary native lit the lamp not once, but twice which earned him first-star honours. The pair of points pushed him over the 80-point (32g, 48a) mark for his career as he now sits one point away from the 50 (20g, 29a) mark on the year for the first time.

Alternate captain Sloan Stanick also collected two points against the Pats, netting two assists to add to his monster campaign. The Raiders’ overage forward is now up to a team-high 83 points (30g, 53a) on the year as the two helpers also helped him reach 120 career assists. His 83 points are enough to put him in a tie for 22nd in league scoring with Kelowna’s Tij Iginla.

(Prince Albert Raiders)

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com